To bark or not to bark? Colorado Shakespeare Festival seeks canine stars
Zebulon the dog and Gary Wright in "Two Gentlemen of Verona," Colorado Shakespeare Festival, 2022. Photo by Jamie Kraus.
Got a small dog with big stage presence? The Colorado Shakespeare Festival (CSF) is casting two four‑legged performers to share the role of "The Dog" in its 2026 production of "Shakespeare in Love." Local pups are invited to audition.
CSF is looking for dogs under 20 pounds that are comfortable around people, able to follow basic commands and eager to steal the spotlight—whether that means jumping into an actor’s arms or delighting the audience with impeccable timing. The roles include a stipend and complimentary tickets for owners.
Interested dog owners should visit CSF’s for full rehearsal and performance schedules. If available, owners can apply by completing the CSF by March 23. Selected applicants will be invited to in‑person auditions at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater on Boulder's Main Campus.
The festival last held dog auditions in 2022 for "Two Gentlemen of Verona," a process that drew widespread attention and resulted in memorable performances from local pups.
The auditions arrive as CSF prepares to return this summer to the newly renovated Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, alongside performances in the indoor Roe Green Theatre. The 2026 season runs June 7 through Aug. 2 and—in addition to "Shakespeare in Love"—also features "Twelfth Night," "Julius Caesar” and the world premiere of "Friends/Romans/Countrymen" by David Davalos, commissioned by CSF.
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