Auditions

Auditions: The Funeral to End All Funerals

Before the Kardashians, there were the Mitfords! Decorum disappears quickly when this dysfunctional family comes together on the day of a funeral. Filled with animosity and ever sharpening tongues, Thomas, Pamela, Nancy, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah resemble a complicated mix of beliefs, relationships, and lifestyles and yet they manage to gather with claws and words fully armed. Biting dark humour, and the dramatic complications of fame and infamy, flow through this acidic new comedy from the playwright of “The Seat Next To The King”. By the end of this funeral, the family may need more than one coffin!

Auditions will be held September 10–13, 2023 at 9 Princess Street East (the KW Little Theatre); the Sunday auditions will be held 12–4pm, and Monday–Wednesday auditions will be at 7–10pm. Callbacks are scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 7–10pm at 44 Gaukel Street in Kitchener.

Auditioners should prepare two monologues, each 90 seconds or less, and be prepared to receive one or two redirects on the material.

To book an audition, fill out this Google Form, or send an email to  ToddRDavies@hotmail.com  stating which role(s) you are interested in and your preference of audition date/time. We will make every effort to accommodate you but we may have to offer you a different date/time. A return email will come to you. Please check your junk folder. Walk-in auditions are also welcome.

For more information about the process and the available roles, see the full audition information.

Call for actors: Play workshopping series

Thanks to everyone who came out for auditions! Keep an eye out for information about the showcase on August 19.

KWLT is pleased to bring you a bite-sized summer theatre experience, working with local playwright Derek Czajkowski, director Amy MacDonald, and Asst. Director/SM Simon Anthony to workshop Derek’s three plays Confessional, Pub Night, and Coffee. 

You’ll work with Derek, Amy, and Simon at Gaukel on July 29, August 5, and August 12 to refine these three plays and present them as a staged reading to a live audience at 9 Princess St. E on August 19. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who loves working on a collaborative theatre project, who wants to try something new, or who just can’t wait until auditions for The Funeral to End All Funerals to get back up on stage. 

We’re looking for at least six actors between the three plays, and you’ll spend your time working with all three creative leads. Bring a prepared monologue or use one we provide. We’re looking for people who can adapt to direction, so your monologue doesn’t need to be memorized.

Auditions will be held from 12-5pm on Sunday Jul 23, 2023 at 44 Gaukel St. in downtown Kitchener. Sign up at our Google form. Walk-ins welcome!

See the show page for more about the creative team and the plays.

Auditions: Ordinary Days

KWLT’s final main stage for this season is Ordinary Days, a sung-through musical about finding beauty in everyday life and human connection in the aftermath of tragedy. Come audition for us!

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Auditions: March Madness X

Looking for a quick theatrical hit to break up the monotony of winter? KWLT’s ultimate theatrical competition is back in the Black Box for 2023!

In March Madness, we give multiple production teams a single script to turn into a play. The script is short and deliberately vague, giving the teams a lot of space to make it their own — deciding on who the characters are, where and when the play is set, and the overall theme and concept for their vision. They get the script on a Friday night, audition actors the next day, and one week after that: showtime!

We’re looking for actors to take on the whirlwind one-week challenge of March Madness. Auditions will be held on Saturday, February 25th from noon to 4pm at the KWLT theatre (9 Princess Street East, Waterloo). Auditions are on a walk-in basis, with no advance registration. You’ll be asked to deliver a short monologue: it’s best if you have your own prepared in advance, but we’ll have some options available for you in the lobby if you don’t. You’ll be auditioning for all of the teams at once, and each director may ask you to try different things.

If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact the organizing team at march.madness@kwlt.org.

Auditions: Zastrozzi

A Play by George F. Walker
Directed by Matt Walsh

Something between a melodrama and a comedy of immoral ideas, Zastrozzi is violent, witty, and pitiless (much like its namesake). This action-packed exploration of the nature and cost of revenge shines with Walker’s brilliant dialogue.

This production will be presented en masque, with actors wearing half-masks. This is a combat-heavy show, with all characters involved in violence at one point or another; most roles must be able to engage in swordplay. (Previous experience with stage combat is not necessary.)

Audition process

Auditions will be held at 44 Gaukel St. Kitchener — use the entrance closer to the parking lot.

We ask that actors come prepared with a brief (1 minute or less) monologue; monologues will be available at the auditions if you are unable to prepare something, but bringing your own is strongly recommended. You may be asked to deliver your monologue in a different style.  

You will also be given an excerpt from the script from which to read; these sides can be made available in advance by contacting the production team at zastrozzi@kwlt.org

Additionally, each actor will participate in a physical exercise as part of a group. These will be held at the half-hour (7:30, 8:30, and 9:30) each evening; you can take part in the session either before or after your reading audition, whichever is more convenient.

Your total time at the audition may be 30 minutes. In order to ensure you have time to study the scripts, we ask that actors arrive a bit early. We may request callbacks of actors under consideration for certain roles, which would take place on Friday February 10th.

See the call for more information about the auditions and the production.

Extended auditions: Clara, a staged reading

As part of the KW Symphony Volunteer Committee‘s Love of Music Marathon fundraiser on November 12, KWLT will be presenting a staged reading of Clara. Written by Jo-Anne Richards & Susan Hart and directed by Todd Vercoe, this play tells the story of pianist and composer Clara Wieck Schumann.

The production still has a few roles to fill for the play, most notably that of Clara’s husband Robert (male, 30+). Auditions for this and other roles in Clara for both men and women will be held at KWLT on Tuesday September 27, 6–9pm. Auditions will be on a drop-in basis. Actors should prepare a monologue (which does not have to be memorized — you’re welcome to have script in hand). Some exercises will be done and perhaps sides will be offered; there will be no sides in advance.

There will be 3–4 rehearsals through October, timing depending on actor availability. Tech rehearsals will be on Thursdays November 3 and 10, with the performance at 1:30 on November 12.

If you’d like to know more, contact Todd with any questions.

Auditions: Clara, a staged reading

As part of the KW Symphony Volunteer Committee‘s Love of Music Marathon fundraiser on November 12, KWLT will be presenting a staged reading of Clara. Written by Jo-Anne Richards & Susan Hart and directed by Todd Vercoe, this play tells the story of pianist and composer Clara Wieck Schumann.

Auditions for roles in Clara will be held at KWLT on September 19–21, 6–9pm. Auditions will be on a drop-in basis. Actors should prepare a monologue (which does not have to be memorized — you’re welcome to have script in hand). Some exercises will be done and perhaps sides will be offered; there will be no sides in advance.

Roles are available for women of all ages and middle-aged & older men. There will be 3–4 rehearsals through October, timing depending on actor availability. Tech rehearsals will be on Thursdays November 3 and 10, with the performance at 1:30 on November 12.

If you’d like to know more, contact Todd with any questions.