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.
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.
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.
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.
Written by Gary Kirkham Directed by Dani Rosenbaum
Falling: A Wake is the story of Harold and Elsie, a couple in their 50s living on a farm in a small, isolated town. One autumn night, a plane explodes in the sky above their home and litters their field with debris, including the body of a young man, still strapped in his airplane seat. Elsie insists on keeping vigil at the boy’s side, while Harold focuses on keeping Elsie comfortable through the cold night. Harold and Elsie are profoundly affected by the presence of the boy, and as the story unfolds, they each explore their own feelings of loss and love, and contemplate the nature of the soul. The play grapples with themes of grief, loss, and acceptance, while also providing moments of humour and lightness.
Auditions will take place March 28–30, 7:00–9:30pm at KWLT (9 Princess Street East in Waterloo). Your audition will likely take 10-15 minutes. There will likely be callback auditions on March 31.
Actors do not need to prepare a monologue. We will ask actors to read a selection from the script which will be provided at the time of your audition. If you would like to request a copy of the sides in advance of the audition, please email fallingawake.kwlt2021@gmail.com. Actors auditioning for the role of The Boy will not be required to read; we’ll ask a few questions and have a brief discussion of expectations around the role.
The ninth edition of KWLT’s annual theatrical competition is coming up soon. We’re looking for performers to fill out the teams — if you’re interested in acting in a show with only a week of rehearsal, then March Madness might be right for you!
Here’s how it works: Two or more production teams will get a script on a Friday night — the same script. They’ll audition actors and select their casts the next day, then a week later it’s showtime. You’ll be performing on our stage but without a live audience, because COVID; instead we’ll be recording your show on video to share with the world that evening in a livestream event.
Auditions will be held online on February 26th, 12-4pm. We invite you to come prepared with a short (30 second) monologue — if you don’t have one, we can supply you with one. Be prepared to take direction, possibly in many directions. Experience is not necessary: at KWLT we welcome actors of any level of experience.
Intrigued? Fill out our sign up form and we’ll see you on the 26th! Feel free to ask us any questions you might have.
Written by Camyar Chai, Guillermo Verdecchia, and Marcus Youssef, our reopening show is a satirical look at the costs (to some) of freedom (for others).
KWLT’s next Black Box Radio production is The Devil’s Disciple, written by G. B. Shaw and directed by Joe Gull.
Set during the American Revolutionary War, The Devil’s Disciple follows Richard ‘Dick’ Dudgeon, the rakish reprobate of the play’s title who finds himself an unlikely hero. In Websterbridge, New Hampshire, Richard’s wild ways contrast sharply with the Puritanical piety of the townspeople; his family disowns him and his mother curses him. Only Anthony Anderson, the affable, open-minded Presbyterian minister, welcomes Richard into his home, much to his wife Judith’s disapproval. When British soldiers arrive to arrest the clergyman, Richard finds himself willingly taking Anderson’s place at the gallows. To his — and everyone else’s — surprise, the “Devil’s Disciple” may have a hero in him yet. The Devil’s Disciple was Shaw’s first major theatrical success; filled with Shaw’s classic wit and paradoxical characters, the play continues to amuse, provoke, and surprise audiences over a hundred years later.
Auditions: Auditions will be held online On June 25 (7-9pm), 26 (2-4pm), and 27 (10-11:30am) — please sign up in advance and we’ll send you a link. Actors will do cold reads from the play; it is not necessarily to prepare a monologue.
Rehearsals: Rehearsals will be held On Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons through July, August, and September.
KWLT is preparing for an exciting project soon to be announced. We are seeking interested volunteers today to fill the following roles:
Technical Director Audio technician Video Editor Video technician
And a cast of Characters. This project will be heavily improvised and requires an ensemble cast to play multiple roles. Auditions will be held the evenings of Jan 5th,6th, and 7th. Auditions will be 45min long, in groups of six and require no preparation. Just bring yourself. The Production will be actively produced/released all 5 weeks of March. 2-3 min Pre-recorded auditions will be accepted in lieu of a group audition up until Jan 7th.
