AUDITION NOTICE

The Citadel Theatre’s Production of
Come From Away

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Ashlie Corcoran
Music Direction Ken Cormier
Choreographed by Gianna Vacirca

Based on the true events that unfolded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, in the days following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Come From Away follows the lives of passengers and crew who are unexpectedly forced to land at Gander International Airport due to the closure of U.S. airspace. Referred to as the “come from aways” by locals, the passengers and crew find themselves stranded in a remote town with limited resources, but unlimited compassion.

EDMONTON CONTRACT DATES:
Rehearsal Starts: Tuesday, October 27 2026
First preview: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Opening: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Closing: Sunday, November 29, 2026

VANCOUVER CONTRACT DATES: (subject to change)
Rehearsals Start: April 30th, 2026
First Preview: May 28th, 2026
Opening: June 3rd, 2026
Closing: July 26th, 2026
Potential Holdover Until: August 23rd, 2026

AUDITION INFORMATION

AUDITIONS IN EDMONTON: Tuesday, July 22; Wednesday, July 23; Thursday, July 24. Callbacks and dance call will be on Friday, July 25. Only those invited for a callback with be requested to attend the dance call.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

• We welcome interest from Edmonton-based actors only.
• All submissions should include ONE PDF FILE with both a Headshot and a Resume.
• Email submission to auditions@citadeltheatre.com. Write “Come From Away” in the subject line and indicate the role you are interested in in the body of the email. We accept online submissions only.
• Audition materials will be made available to selected Artists.
• While we thank all those who submit, only those selected to audition will be contacted.
• THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS July 7, 2025.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

The pronouns and ages listed are descriptions of the characters. Actors are welcome to submit for any roles of interest. Please Note: The Citadel Theatre is committed to authentic representation and encourages actors to submit for roles that align with their personal lived experiences, including but not limited to cultural specificity, disability, LGBTQ+ identities, or religious affiliations.

The roles KEVIN J (Dwight and Ali) and CLAUDE (Derm, Eddie) have been cast.

 

Diane/Crystal/Brenda/Ensemble – 50s-60s. She/her. Any Ethnicity. A divorcee from Texas, who is worried that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she discovers a wilder more carefree side of herself.

Vocal Range: Soprano (top D5)

 

Hannah/Margie/Mickey/Ensemble: 40s – 60s. She/her. Black. A strong, grounded woman from New York City. Hannah is traveling to meet her firefighter son when the planes are diverted to Gander. Deeply worried and unable to reach him, she forms a heartfelt connection with Beulah, a local woman, as she searches for news.

Vocal range: Soprano (top E5)

 

Janice/Britney/Flight Attendant/Ensemble: 20s-30s. She/her. Any Ethnicity. A bright, eager local news reporter in Gander, new to the job and thrown into the chaos of covering the unexpected arrival of thousands of stranded passengers. Janice is curious, enthusiastic, and occasionally overwhelmed, bringing humor and heart to the story.

Vocal range: Soprano (top E5)

 

Beulah/Delores/Ensemble: 40s-60s. She/her. Any Ethnicity. A warm, practical, and no-nonsense Newfoundlander who helps lead the local effort to care for the stranded passengers. Beulah forms a deep friendship with Hannah, a passenger searching for her son. She embodies the kindness, resilience, and dry humor of the Gander community.

Vocal range: Mezzo (top B4)

 

Bonnie/Martha/Ensemble : 30s-40s. She/her. Any Ethnicity: A no-nonsense mother of three, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety – but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her.

Vocal range: Mezzo (top B4)

 

Beverley/Annette/Reporter/Ensemble: 40s-50s. She/her. Any Ethnicity.

Beverly: The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverly Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes.

Annette: A local teacher at the Gander Academy and mother to a lot of children.

Vocal range: Mezzo (top C#5)

 

Oz/Joey/Customs Officer/Mr. Michaels/Terry/Matty/Rabbi/Head Cardiologist/Ensemble: 30s-50s. He/him. Any Ethnicity. The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways. 

Vocal range: Tenor (top G4)

 

Kevin T/Garth/President Bush/Ensemble: 30s -40s. He/him. Any Ethnicity. Kevin T: The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation.

Garth: The head of the local union, representing the Bus Drivers.

Vocal range: Tenor (top G4)

 

Bob/Muhumuza/Captain Bristol/Ensemble: 20s – 40s. He/him. Black. A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet – but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness.

Vocal range: Baritone

 

Nick/Doug/Officer Stephenson/Male Townsperson/Ensemble– 40s-50s. He/him. Any Ethnicity. Nick: An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.

Doug: An Air Traffic Controller, married to Bonnie, who tries to help his wife and the animals.

Vocal range: Baritone (top E4)

 

STANDBY: Four (4) standbys will be hired to cover Ensemble and Principal tracks.

 

All characters work with multiple accents including a Newfoundland accent. A Dialect Coach will be engaged to support with the many accents in the production.

An Intimacy Director will be engaged to choreograph moments of intimacy. 

Please be advised that the production design may require Artists to modify their hairstyles (any costs incurred for such changes will be reimbursed by the Theatre) or cover visible tattoos (at the Artist’s expense).

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY COMMITMENTS

The Citadel Theatre is in the heart of amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB), and we are proud to call Treaty 6 territory home. As a regional theatre, it is integral that we ensure that the stories we tell, as well as the composition of our artists, board, staff, students, and audience are reflective of the diverse lived experiences in this dynamic city. We encourage submissions from professional artists who self-identify as members of under-represented communities. Our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility statements are at this link: https://citadeltheatre.com/about-us/equity-diversity-inclusion-and-accessibility/.

If there are any potential barriers (language, disability, or any other considerations) preventing you from applying to audition please let us know and we will work with you to overcome them.

Accessibility: Citadel Theatre’s rehearsal facilities are accessible. Our building is equipped with elevators and numerous accessible washrooms. The Shoctor Theatre stage and backstage are accessible to artists that have mobility access needs; the backstage area includes elevator access, accessible washrooms (including roll in showers), and an accessible dressing room. Please let us know if you have any questions about the physical layout of our spaces, or other access needs. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/CitadelAccessibility.