Downstage will be auditioning actors on May 16 and 17, 2018, for all roles in the world premiere of Smoke by Elena Belyea.

To apply for an audition, please email Artistic Director Ellen Close at ellen@downstage.ca with your headshot, resume, and a brief statement of interest by Monday, May 7, 2018. Please indicate which role you are interested in reading for, and any scheduling conflicts you have on the audition dates. You can also contact Ellen to request a reading script.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will confirm receipt of all submissions. If selected, you will be asked to prepare one or two scenes from the play.

Smoke by Elena Belyea

First Rehearsal Date: January 28, 2019
Performance run: February 21–March 2, 2019
Location: Big Secret Theatre, Arts Commons

About the Show

Jordan, Aiden’s ex, shows up at Aiden’s apartment to confront her about the allegation that Jordan sexually assaulted her two years ago. The smoke is thick and the town is burning. What will it take to put it out?

The production will be split-cast so that the show features an opposite-sex and same-sex couple on alternate nights. The actor playing Aiden will perform on all nights.

Roles:

• Jordan, 23,  white.
  A woman or man (two roles). A graduate of the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing program (majored in Poetry). Wealthy family (which makes them uncomfortable, especially around other writers). Oldest sibling (one younger sister). Deeply loyal. A romantic. Superstitious (believes in ghosts). Aiden was the first person Jordan admitted, face to face, to being in love with. Wants to see the best in everyone. Plays devil’s advocate at family dinners.
• Aiden, 23.
  Woman of colour/racialized. A graduate of the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing program (majored in Fiction). Middle child (three brothers). Raised by her father. Pragmatic. Works two multiple jobs to make rent. Acts tough but is in fact, extremely sentimental. Once mused that Jordan could be her soul mate if she believed in soul mates. Cries when angry. Sleep talks. Stood up to her school bully. Has a hard time throwing out ticket stubs.

Downstage encourages submissions from artists of diverse backgrounds. We engage members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the Independent Theatre Agreement. To learn more about us, please visit downstage.ca.