Extras – also called background actors

We are constantly looking for talented participants for our professional stage productions and other projects. Often, demanding roles with a lot of text, dance, or singing are to be cast. Necessary prior knowledge and other requirements are described in detail in the respective casting calls.

Extras – also called background actors – are supporting actors without speaking roles.

They usually act together with others in the crowd and contribute significantly to creating a credible and lively background image. In doing so, they make an important contribution to the atmosphere and authenticity of every scene.

Become part of the stage – extras wanted!

You love theater and want to stand in the spotlight yourself once?

Then take the chance now and become an extra at the Schauspielhaus Zurich!

Whether in magnificent costumes, with extraordinary wigs, or right in the middle of the action on one of our stages – as an extra, you are close to the action when theater magic happens. Experience the exciting everyday life behind the scenes, be part of creative rehearsal processes, and act in productions that move the audience.

We regularly look for curious, playful, and committed people from all life realities and worlds who want to participate in selected productions. Whether you already have stage experience or want to get a first taste of theater – we look forward to hearing from you!

Interested?

Then send us your application with CV, photo, and (if available) previous acting experience to: sophia.haug@schauspielhaus.ch

We will include you in our extras database and inform you directly about new casting calls – maybe the perfect role for you will be available soon!

We look forward to your message and are happy to answer any questions!

Note on data protection:

The data you submit as part of your application will be processed confidentially exclusively by the responsible staff of Schauspielhaus Zurich and used only for the organization and coordination of extra assignments.

Contact person for extras:

Sophia Haug

sophia.haug@schauspielhaus.ch

044 258 75 13

Young actors wanted!

The Schauspielhaus is looking for Afro-diasporic children/Black children/children of African descent between 8 and 13 years old for a theater project. Feel free to apply by 09/17/2025; we also accept registrations after the deadline.

MONSTER

by Recke/Lehmann/Froelicher

DIRECTION: Anta Helena Recke, Maxi Menja Lehmann, and Anna Froelicher

WORLD PREMIERE: 04/11/2026 at PFAUEN

about the play

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

In our dreams, we can fly, we can be very big or very small, we can climb walls like a spider or eat a cake forever that actually isn’t a cake.

MONSTER is about the relationship between mother and child and about childhood. The time when we get to know the world as it is explained to us by adults. It is also about what can be scary. Shadows, a group of people who look exactly the same, or when you want to scream but no sound comes out.

Some monsters can be a little scary, but other monsters are cuddly and soft. Some monsters protect us, and some lurk under the bed. Sometimes, when we are angry, we ourselves become a little monster, and when we are annoyed with others, we think maybe they are monsters for a moment too. But actually, it’s not so bad to be a monster.

On stage, we create vivid images.

HOW WE MAKE THEATER WITH YOU

The three directors Anta, Maxi, and Anna will do several workshops with you. In the workshops, you will get to know the other children who will be on stage with you. You will find out what you can do on a stage. The directors come up with scenes for the children. These are mainly scenes from everyday life and scenes from dreams. You will dress up, speak simple texts, and move in slow motion like in a dream.

You don’t need any acting experience to participate. The most important thing is that you are curious and want to get to know theater together with other children!

WHO WE ARE

We are a team of theater professionals from Germany (Berlin) and Switzerland (Zurich). Included are a set designer, a costume designer, a musician, a choreographer, and three directors.

What we find exciting about theater: transferring images from films and art onto the stage, creating a mystical atmosphere, actors who play a bit of themselves. We often make theater pieces together with children or adults who are not actors. Our theater pieces have little spoken text and a lot of movement. We look forward to seeing you!

WHAT, HOW, WHERE

• The selection workshop takes place on 09/19/2025 (5-7 pm) in Zurich.
• The rehearsals take place in the following blocks: 10/01 – 10/04/2025 / 02/09 – 02/28/2026 / 03/16 – 04/11/2026
• It is planned to perform about 15 – 20 shows until the end of the theater season with the option of revival in the 2026 / 2027 season.
• The rehearsal work will be paid with a flat rate.
• There is a fee per performance.

The rehearsals for the play mostly take place outside school hours, e.g., in the evenings, free afternoons, or weekends. Intensive rehearsals will take place during the 2026 sports holidays. We will create a detailed rehearsal schedule after the selection workshop. We want to accommodate the schedules of all participants as much as possible. If school times are affected, we will discuss this in advance with the school administrations of the participants.

HOW TO APPLY

Send us an email with your name, age, and a photo of yourself to the following address: jungesschauspielhaus@schauspielhaus.ch.

Do you have questions? Send us an email to the same address. We look forward to hearing from you!