CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: HIGHLAND ARTS THEATRE AUDITIONS - THE BELOVED
AUDITION CALL FOR MALE, FEMALE & NON-BINARY ACTORS
Ages 18 & Up (Equity and Non-Equity)
This winter, we will be hosting Video Auditions for anyone wishing to be considered for our upcoming production of THE BELOVED, a new play by Wesley J. Colford and Directed by Jeannette Lambermont-Morey.
Join us for this exciting debut of a brand new play set in 18th Century England in the style of a Restoration Comedy.
This historical fiction follows David, a foundling who grew up at a rectory and recently was assigned to the estate of Claude Hall as a servant. As David is introduced to the staff (and the tangled web of sexual dalliances they hopscotch through daily), he is reminded of a sermon they internalized as a child – that of “The Beloved”, a select group of chosen ones meant to be god’s favourite. But just who are the Beloved? And can they survive the hypersexualized world of Restoration England with their virtue intact?
Content Advisory: This play contains adult language and sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
May 17 to 21, 2023
Rehearsals starting April 25, 2023 in Sydney, NS
At this time, we will be receiving only video auditions for this production. Please see below for full submission details.
Please Note: Equity performers will be engaged under a D.O.T. contract agreement. Priority consideration will be given to artists from or living in Nova Scotia and especially Cape Breton, however, artists from across Canada are encouraged to submit.
PERFORMERS OF ALL CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS, ETHNICITIES, GENDERS, & SEXUAL PREFERENCES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT.
Despite being set in 18th Century England, people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds will be considered for all roles, regardless of class or historical context.
We are particularly interested in representing a wide-range of gender and sexuality, given the content of the play. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their submission if they feel comfortable and inclined.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION: 11:59 PM on February 23, 2023 E-MAIL APPLICATIONS TO: admin@highlandartstheatre.com
NOTE: All interested parties must submit in advance of this date in order to receive audition materials. You will be provided with a short scene from the play from the character of your choice.
IN YOUR SUBMISSION PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1) Recent headshot or photo (professional quality not necessary)
2) Theatrical Resumé
3) What role you would like to be considered for.
At this time, we will be auditioning for the following roles:
(Please note, the ages listed are that of the character, NOT necessarily the actor. As listed above, we will consider all actors for characters regardless of age, race, gender, etc)
David Rivers, the new Hall Boy at Claude Hall, 16
Curious, eager to please, witty, and full of a childlike sense of wonder (bordering on the naïve), but haunted by a mysterious melancholy. An orphan raised by the church, David has waited a lifetime to enter the wide world and find answers to the questions he cannot shake.
Father Thomas, Vicar of the Estate, Early 40’s
Passionate and vivacious, a somewhat radical zealot of the church who is not afraid to challenge the doctrine of the old guard. Gregarious and charismatic. The “Cool” Vicar.
Lucy, a Maid, 17
Lucy has seen it all, done it all, and probably watched two or three others doing it at the same time. While her worldly outlook belies her years, her brash and direct manner hides a more vulnerable interior that is rarely exposed. Here for a good time, not a long time.
Julia, Goddaughter to Lady Acres, 15
Romantic to a fault, Julia idolizes the worlds she’s read about in novels that imagine a world of heroism, daring gestures, and the purest of true loves. While young, she is impeccably educated and has more than enough resourcefulness to plot her way out of the orchestrated future her breeding supposes.
Lady Acres, Lady of the Manor, Early 50’s
A shrewd, domineering battle-axe who rules the estate with an iron bosom. While she revels in machinations and Machiavellian manipulation, her ambitions are sometimes waylaid by an overconfidence that comes from being at the top of the food chain, unchallenged for far too long.
Andrew Shaftless, Stewart of the Estate, 40’s
A cunning, but ultimately spineless, majordomo of the household and accomplice to Lady Acres. While he enjoys lording the power he holds over the staff and underlings, his true titillation can be found in a much more submissive position.
Robert Acres, the Young Master, 30
Piggish, egotistical, and utterly charming. Used to getting what he wants, when he wants, with who he wants, in whatever position he wants. Heir apparent to the household, but much prefers playing shepherdess with the aristocracy in France. Happy to play the fop or the life of the party, until he’s crossed. Then it’s danger.
Henriette, a Maid, 15
Worldly wise, in a somewhat stoic way. Enjoys having fun, but doesn’t need a lot to have a good time. Used to solitude but always watching. Happy to instruct for the right person and lesson.
Elmy, a Maid, 16
Incredibly green, but eager to learn. She was born a maid, but in relative comfort. Full of a deep passion but lacking the words to express what she knows she’s capable of, yet willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Upon submission, you will be sent a package with a scene for your character of choice. You may be given a second character to prepare as well. Scenes do not need to be memorized, but the more prepared you are, the better.
A draft of the full script will be provided for reference, if requested.
VIDEO AUDITION DUE: February 26, 2023 at 11:59PM
Please e-mail your information and song link to: admin@highlandartstheatre.com
