The student directors of the 2024 Directors’ Showcase at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies at the University of Toronto are sending out a call for auditions. This year there will be three productions happening as part of the showcase. The auditions will take place on Friday, Sept. 13, Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15. Please read the following details and find out more about each show and how to audition!
Pool (No Water)
Written by Mark Ravenhill
Directed by Rebecca Robitaille
Synopsis
The play follows a successful artist and her group of friends when she suffers a freak accident — jumping into an empty swimming pool and going into a coma. The group of friends then navigate feelings of jealousy and guilt as they document her body for art's sake. What will happen when she wakes up? It is a story of artistic frustration, the ethics of making art, and resentment inspired by success.
Characters
ALL ARE WELCOME TO AUDITION
There are no set roles/genders in the text but three actors will be the group of friends and a fourth actor will represent the ‘successful artist’.
Please note: some physical movement/actions will be involved in this production.
How to Audition
Please fill out the GOOGLE FORM
Auditions will take place on Saturday, September 14th in the Performance Studio (Playhouse), 2-6pm. Sign up for a slot through the Google form above.
Come with a 30 second 1-minute monologue prepared of your choosing OR you can submit a self-tape of your monologues directly into the Google form above, labelled YOURNAME_audition
SELF TAPE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS SUNDAY SEPT 15 @ 11:59PM
Callbacks will take place around September 16th to 19th and emails for that will be sent with more info. If that time frame does not work for you, we can find an alternative date.
Key Dates to note:
Performances will be during the last couple weeks of classes (TBD)
Tech will be sometime during reading week (Oct. 26 to Nov. 3)
If you have any questions about the process or concerns, please email me, Rebecca, at beccaboomrobi@gmail.com. If you are unable to send a self-tape, please let me know so we can talk about another option that will work for you.
Suppressed Desires
Written by Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook
Directed by Athena McIsaac
Synopsis
In this satire from 1915, a married couple argue about the validity of Psychoanalysis, a new theory in psychology invented by Sigmund Freud which involves analyzing people’s dreams and behaviours to determine what their “suppressed desire” may be. If a person’s suppressed desire is not uncovered, it can drive them insane.
Henrietta insists that both her husband Stephen and her sister Mabel go get psychoanalyzed. When they refuse, she analyzes their dreams and behaviours herself, and comes to outlandish conclusions about what they must be thinking and feeling. But when Stephen and Mabel finally go get “psyched”, Henrietta is left shocked and dismayed by the results. As psychoanalysis – and a dream about a Hen - threatens to destroy relationships and family ties, Henrietta begins to question her beliefs, and the absurdity of their situation is taken to new heights.
Rehearsal Information
Specific rehearsal times are subject to the actor and crew’s availability. Rehearsals will take place on U of T's St. George campus, and the specific location and room will be determined once actor and crew availability is known. Actors MUST be available during U of T’s fall reading week for tech rehearsals.
Audition Information
In person auditions will be held on Friday September 13th from 1pm – 4pm, and Sunday September 15th from 10am – 12pm at the Helen Gardiner Playhouse in the performance studio, UP 109. Please come prepared with a 1-minute comedic monologue.
Please book a timeslot for in-person auditions through this Google form.
If you are unavailable for in person auditions, you can submit a self-tape of yourself performing a 1-minute comedic monologue to suppresseddesires2024@gmail.com. THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A SELF TAPE IS 12 NOON ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th . If you require an extension for extenuating circumstances, please send us an email and we will discuss potential options.
Callbacks will be held in person in UP 109 in the afternoon on Monday, September 16th. More details will follow for actors who are called back.
The Worker
Written by Walter Wykes
Directed by Mika Deneige
The Directors' Showcase plays are produced by CDTPS as a capstone course designed to showcase the work of upper-year directing students. Each 20-minute play has three performances in early December. Shows typically sell out; these productions are a great opportunity for actors to gain performance experience, work with emerging theatre directors, and benefit from faculty-guided theatrical work in the department.
Synopsis:
The Worker (Comedy): After a series of cutbacks at the sinister Company, a worker and their partner try to manage the demands of the job without losing their heads. A satirical look at survival and human connection under the tightening fist of capitalism and corporate power.
Roles:
All roles are open age, gender, & ethnicity.
The Worker (Lead): Stressed. Strong-willed but coming apart at the edges, desperate and working past their limits to keep their life together.
The Partner (Lead): Caring, but not a pushover. Creative and imaginative, they’ll build their own reality and do whatever it takes to hang on to happiness.
The Messenger (Supporting): Just trying to make it through the day. They’re giving their best customer service energy but sometimes it’s just too much.
How to Submit:
Please fill out the google form with your preferred audition time. If you’re unavailable during the audition times, or if you have any other questions, please email us at theworker.production@gmail.com.
Audition dates: Sept. 13th & 14th, callbacks Sept. 16th to 18th
Submission Deadline: Sept. 12th, 11:59 pm
Audition Requirements:
Please prepare a monologue 30 seconds to 1 minute in length (comedic recommended, but not required). We will work together with your material in the room.