Auditions
Auditions at Kanata Theatre are always open to everyone. Experience on stage is not necessary to try out for a role in a production that interests you. The audition process is always clearly laid out, so there are no surprises! The only thing you need is the desire to bring your character to life on stage and a commitment to working with a team to accomplish that!
Click on Current Auditions to check out what is in store!
Current Auditions
DEATHTRAP
DEATHTRAP
By Ira Levin
Directed by: Michael Gareau
AUDITION DATES AND TIMES
– Wednesday, June 11, 2025 @ 7 pm
– Thursday June 12, 2025 @ 7 pm
– Callback: Friday, June 13, 2025 @ 7 pm (if needed)
Auditions (and rehearsals) will be held at the Ron Maslin Playhouse, 1 Ron Maslin Way, Kanata.
Please enter by the rear door, off the parking lot.
Please arrive on time for check-in, administration, and incidentals.
REHEARSAL DATES
– Sunday afternoons @ 1-3 pm
– Tuesday and Thursday evenings @ 7-10 pm
– Dress rehearsal – Sunday, September 8 @ 7:30 – 10:30
– Member’s night – Mon, September 9 @ 7:30 to 10:30 pm
(Rehearsals start Tuesday, June 24, 2025 @ 7-10 pm)
SHOW DATES AND TIMES
– Wednesday, September 10 – Saturday, September 13, 2025 @ 7:30 pm
– Sunday, September 14, 2025 @ 2:30 pm
– Tuesday, September 16 – Saturday, September 20, 2025 @ 7:30 pm
SYNOPSIS
Ira Levin’s classic comedic thriller, Deathtrap, is the story of a washed-up playwright who finds a chance to rise to the top once more, a shot he’d be willing to kill for. Sidney Bruhl hasn’t written a hit play for 18 years when he receives a script from a former student, Clifford Anderson, that’s a guaranteed success. His wife, Myra, suggests the two men could collaborate. Sidney jokes that it would be just as easy to murder the young man and steal the script for his own. Clifford arrives later that evening. No one–not even the visiting psychic–could predict where the dark events of the night will go. Who is innocent? Who only ‘seems’ innocent? Deathtrap is a sharply funny play, full of twists and turns, that will keep an audience on the edge of their seats. Is anyone really safe when a man sees a clean shot at success? This show holds the record for the longest-running comedic-thriller on Broadway.
CHARACTERS
Sidney Bruhl
Sidney is a washed-up, has-been playwright who was once very successful but hasn’t had a hit in many years. Although married to a woman, he is “closeted”. Sidney is a polished, creative, clever master of deceit. He has an overactive mind and is always plotting and scheming. He thinks he is the smartest man in the room. Even when at home he is always ‘onstage’.
Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: 50+
Myra Bruhl
Myra is Sidney’s sweet, innocent, caring wife, who is encouraging of his career and has been supporting them financially for the past few years. She is sophisticated and upper-class but embraces the country life. Myra is the nervous, even skittish type and has heart problems. She is easily frazzled. Myra knows her place but is not afraid to grow some backbone when Sidney crosses the line. Myra is a large role but only appears in Act I.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: 40+
Clifford Anderson
Clifford
is a young gay student of Sidney’s, and a budding playwright. He is also clever and deceitful. Clifford may appear calm on the exterior but he’s always ready to ‘explode’. He should appear boyish, handsome, physically fit and oh-so polite. Clifford knows he’s the smartest man in the room. He is clever enough to mask his impatience with
innocence, affection and naiveté.
Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: 20-30
Helga ten Dorp
Helga
is a mysterious psychic who has visions. She is wild, individualistic and gypsy-like. Helga ‘travels’ in and out of her world and this world. She is a celebrity from the Netherlands who is a popular North American talk show guest. Helga can be disarming and brave when faced with pain and violence.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: early 40-?
Porter Milgrim
Porter is Sidney’s lawyer and financial adviser. He is professional, solid, and quite observant. When push comes to shove, Porter can be just as deceitful as his client. Porter only appears in Act II.
Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: 50-?
BOOK AN AUDITION
Auditions will be by appointment only and once an appointment has been secured, sides of the lines to be read will be provided.
Appointments can be made by clicking below.
Audition Notes:
- Anyone auditioning must be available for all rehearsals & performances.
- Those auditioning for the roles of Sidney and Clifford must be comfortable portraying a ‘bit’ of same-sex affection. Nothing overt but a simple hug, a peck on the cheek, a pat on the derriere, a quick kiss. Stage ages are only a suggestion at this point but Sidney should appear old enough to be Clifford’s ‘daddy’. This play lends itself well to inclusive casting and all will be given equal consideration for the roles they are interested in reading for.
If you require any other information, feel free to contact the director, Michael Gareau, at mikig1953gmail.com. Please use the words Deathtrap Audition in the subject line of your email.
THE SPITFIRE GRILL
The Spitfire Grill
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Directed by: Clare Flockton
AUDITION DATES AND TIMES
– Tuesday, July 8, 2025 @ 7 pm, 8 pm & 9 pm
– Wednesday July 9, 2025 @ 7 pm, 8 pm & 9 pm
– Callback: Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7-10 pm
Please arrive on time for check-in, administration, and incidentals.
Each audition group will be needed for approximately 90 minutes.
Auditions are by appointment only.
REHEARSAL DATES
Rehearsals will start Sunday, July 20, 2025 @ 7 pm
(All auditions and rehearsals take place at Kanata Theatre, Ron Maslin Playhouse – 1 Ron Maslin Way, Stittsville, ON K2V 1A7)
SHOW DATES AND TIMES
– Wednesday, November 5 – Saturday, November 8, 2025 @ 7:30 pm
– Sunday, November 9, 2025 @ 2:30 pm
– Tuesday, November 11 – Saturday, November 15, 2025 @ 7:30 pm
SYNOPSIS
The musical depicts the journey of a young woman just released from prison, who decides to start her life anew in a rural town in Wisconsin. She participates in a journey within the town toward its own tenuous reawakening.
CHARACTERS
The show requires performers of a variety of ages (stage age 25 to 70), ethnicities, and gender. Everyone is encouraged to audition. Auditions are by appointment only. No walk-ups are permitted.
Percy Talbot
Our story’s protagonist. Pretty, if a bit rough-edged, her face declares the strength of her youth and a sadness beyond her years. She has a southern Appalachian cadence.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range: Strong folk/country belt to “D”. some head voice required
Hannah Ferguson
Grey-haired flinty woman with a toughness that belies her years and a short, no-nonsense manner bordering on the bitter.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: 70
Vocal range: Mezzo/alto chest range
Shelby Thorpe
A plain, soft-faced creature with a shy demeanor.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: 30-35
Vocal range: Folk soprano with strong belt to “D”
Caleb Thorpe
Out of work foreman of the stone quarry. Earnest but frustrated working man clinging to a past he cannot recreate.
Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: early 40s
Vocal range top: fervid, solid folk/rock voice to a top “G”
Jow Sutter
The sheriff. A young small-town policeman with a feeling of being stuck and regret for his unlived dreams and potential.
Stage Gender: Male
Stage Age: 25-35
Vocal range top: Strong folk tenor to a “G”, touches an “A”
Effy Kraynecks
The stuffy town busybody postmistress. She has a sharp tongue that serves as a protective shield for her very lonely life.
Stage Gender: Female
Stage Age: 40-50
Vocal range top: Mezzo/Alto chest range (carries close harmony)
The Visitor
A mysterious figure who never speaks. An actor with powerful eyes and a very strong sense of his body.
Stage Gender Male
Stage Age: 40s
Vocal range top: E5 – Vocal range bottom: C4
Extras
A collection of 4-6 extras can be cast to round out scenes
BOOK AN AUDITION
Please contact Kathleen Walsh (producer) at Kathleen.Walsh@kanatatheatre3.onmicrosoft.com providing 3 choices for audition times and your choice of prepared audition music
The audition form will be provided once an audition appointment is set.
Audition Notes:
- Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed audition time. The Production Assistants will support all those auditioning by providing in-take forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions, and generally keeping things organized.
- All those auditioning are required to sing a 32-bar prepared piece and read sides (short sections of the script) that will be provided once appointments are set. Singing and reading are mandatory for all those auditioning. A capella auditions, self-accompaniment, and karaoke tracks are not permitted. The Music Director may ask you to do a vocal range check as part of the audition process.
- Please bring 2 copies of your music. One for the accompanist and one for the musical director with the 32 bars clearly marked.
- Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably.
- You are encouraged to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to the audition.
Notes from the Director
Auditioning for The Spitfire Grill is a chance to challenge yourself, have fun, and be part of something magical at Kanata Theatre. This show offers a fantastic opportunity to grow as an artist. The story is heartwarming, comedic, full of hope, and will be as rewarding for the cast as it is for the audience. It’s a great opportunity to shine in a role that challenges and expands your abilities.
To accomplish this, however, the time commitment needed is not small. Before you audition, please make sure you are able to fulfill that obligation. Care will be taken to make sure your time is not wasted, but it is essential that you are willing to spend the time required to produce a memorable and quality production.
Hope to see you all in Gilead!
Notes from the Music Director
Please prepare a 32-bar cut of your audition piece, which shows off your range.
Regardless of which role you’re going for, try to choose a piece that shows character and emotion.
Important: Make sure your sheet music has a piano part and not just a vocal line. If you bring a photocopy, make sure the entire bottom line of the piano score is intact. Check that the piano part is in a key appropriate to your vocal range.
Most of all, remember to breathe and have fun!
Become a member?
Don’t just try out for a part, why not join us and learn about and help with all aspects of the theatre. Become a member to participate in theatre activities and receive our monthly newsletter, Greasepaint, so you can stay informed about what’s happening at the theatre.
Note: All volunteers that work in the theatre are required to have a valid & active membership. So membership is mandatory for anyone who successfully auditions.