Rough Crossing
written by Tom Stoppard
Directed by: Rob Johnstone with Jim Holmes
AUDITION DATES AND TIMES
– Tuesday, June 9, 2026 @ 7-10 pm
– Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 7-10 pm
– Callback: Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 7-10 pm (if required)
Please arrive on time for check-in, administration, and incidentals.
Auditions are by appointment only.
REHEARSAL DATES
Rehearsal will begin on Wednesday June 17th for a table reading and then run Sunday 1-4 pm as well as Tuesday and Thursday 7-10 pm. Some changes or additional rehearsals may occur during the course of the
production schedule.
(All auditions and rehearsals take place at Kanata Theatre, Ron Maslin Playhouse – 1 Ron Maslin Way, Stittsville, ON K2V 1A7. Please enter through the back entrance.)
SHOW DATES AND TIMES
Performance dates are September 9-12 & 15-19, 2026 (matinee September 13)
All shows with the exception of the matinee will start at 7:30 p.m, matinee at 2:30pm
Member’s preview: September 7, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Rough Crossing follows two famous playwrights, Sandor Turai and Alex Gal, who are travelling on an ocean liner (the SS Italian Castle) to New York to debut their new musical; everything is going to be perfect if they can only finish their musical, avoid
broken hearts, survive a storm and maybe, just maybe, there will be time for a cognac.
CHARACTERS
The show requires performers of a variety of ages, ethnicities and genders. Everyone is encouraged to audition
Turai: A playwright, the literary half of a 20 year collaboration with Gal. “Turai has no genius, he can write a bit, unfortunately writes a lot”. He’s pretentious, manipulative, the dominant player in the struggle to finish both the play and the production in the 4 1/2 days of the Atlantic crossing.
Gal: Also a writer. The practical half of the collaboration with Turai. “Gal has no genius either, economy of expression is Gal’s gift”. Gal is an antidote to Turai’s, more florid literary flights. Sometimes treated by Turai as a dogsbody.
Adam Adam: A gifted but naive young composer and pianist in his 20s, engaged to and infatuated with his muse, Natasha. His unusual speech impediment gets in the way of his artistic career
Natasha Navratilova: An experienced leading actress/singer, engaged to Adam who calls her his “Madonna”. That this is an ingredient of her attraction to him may imply something of an un-madonna-like past. She carries the three main songs of the show.
Dvornichek: A ship’s steward and in theatrical terms a “fifth business”. Any age, gender and ethnicity. Uncanny knowledge of events unknown to others and an ability to turn any situation or language to his own advantage.
Ivor Fish: Aging, fading romantic star of musical theatre, unhappily married to “Piranha” whom we are left to imagine. Desperately trying to recapture something of his youth, which, as it happens, included a brief dalliance with Natasha with whom he would like to dally again. Possibly English. None too bright.
BOOK AN AUDITION
Auditions are by appointment only.
To book an audition, please contact Kathleen Walsh (Production Manager) at kathleen.walsh@kanatatheatre.ca
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign in and have your picture taken.
Notes from the Directors
Auditioning for Rough Crossing 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, farcical, funny, and full of hope. It will be as rewarding for the cast & crew 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. to commit to every. 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 on the open seas!
