AUDITION NOTICE
The Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s
Joint Production of
Life of Pi
Based on the novel by Yann Martel; Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by Haysam Kadri
Life of Pi brings Yann Martel’s acclaimed novel to life in a visually stunning and emotionally captivating theatrical experience. The story follows Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and is left stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with only a Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker for company. As Pi struggles to survive in the vast, unforgiving ocean, he confronts the limits of his faith, his resilience, and his understanding of the world.
LIFE OF PI is presented in arrangement with Theatre Global. www.theatreglobal.com
EDMONTON & WINNIPEG CONTRACT DATES:
Rehearsal Starts in Edmonton: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
First preview in Edmonton: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Opening in Edmonton: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Closing in Edmonton: Sunday, October 5, 2025
Unpaid hiatus: October 6-12, 2025 (TBC)
Actors on Stage in Winnipeg: October 13, 2025 (TBC)
Preview in Winnipeg: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Opening in Winnipeg: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Closing in Winnipeg: Saturday, November 8, 2025
AUDITION INFORMATION
The director will be holding auditions in Winnipeg on Thursday, April 10; Edmonton on Friday, April 11; and in Toronto on April 12 and 13.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE FOR EDMONTON/TORONTO AUDITIONS:
- Submit your interest as follows:
- To audition in Edmonton or Toronto, email auditions@citadeltheatre.com
- All submissions should include ONE PDF FILE with both a Headshot and a Resume.
- Write the applicable location, (ie “Life of Pi – Edmonton” or “Life of Pi – Toronto”) 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 APRIL 1, 2025.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE FOR WINNIPEG AUDITIONS:
- Please head to our Auditions Portal at royalmtc.ca/Artists/Auditions.aspx to submit.
- We are currently only considering submissions from Winnipeg-based actors.
- 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 FOR WINNIPEG IS TUESDAY APRIL 1, 2025.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
- 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 pronouns and ages listed are those of the characters.
PISCINE MOLITOR PATEL – known as Pi, he/him, South Asian, 17. He grew up in Pondicherry, India and is emigrating to Canada with his family and animals from his father’s zoo. He is a dedicated Hindu, a clever and curious boy, asking questions of the world around him. NOTE: A physically demanding role.
NURSE / AMMA / ORANGE JUICE – she/her, South Asian, 40s.
NURSE is a Spanish speaker in Mexico. A firm but empathic mother figure to the traumatized Pi. She is kind, warm and capable.
AMMA is Pi’s mother. She is Indian, devoted to her Hinduism and from Pondicherry. She is a loving mother, with children whom she adores but also keeps in check.
ORANGE JUICE is an orangutan puppet operated by 3 actors. Will work with two puppeteers to realize OJ.
FATHER – he/him, South Asian, 40s. Father is from Pondicherry and dreamed of being a circus ringmaster but has happily settled to own a zoo. He is instinctive, passionate and secular. A strong, caring and good father.
LULU CHEN / MRS BIOLOGY KUMAR – she/her, East Asian, late 20s – 40s.
LULU is a Canadian official in the embassy in Mexico. She has travelled from Mexico City and is charged with managing the humorless Mr. Okamoto. She is young and ambitious and open to having her opinion changed.
MRS BIOLOGY KUMAR – a warm and independent woman of science. A teacher who loves the natural world. She is married to Mamaji. She is a strong voice with clear political opinions and compares the animal world to the human one.
MAMAJI / PANDIT-JI / ADMIRAL – he/him, South Asian, 40s.
MAMAJI is uncle to Pi. Affectionate, loving, a bit of a joker. He is married to Mrs Biology Kumar. A Hindu who conducts puja, a fantastic swimmer who runs clubs for swimming. He is a loving, solid presence in Pi’s life.
PANDIT-JI is a Hindu priest who lives and breathes his vocation. He is trying to persuade Pi to be more Hindu. He does not take kindly to other religions.
ADMIRAL. An American Navy Officer from the 1940’s. He is precise, definitive, no nonsense and does not listen. He instructs Pi and says the unthinkable.
RANI / PI Understudy she/her, South Asian, 20s.
RANI is Pi’s sister. She is 19 and very clever, a complete genius at math. She is sharp, funny, witty and keeps her brother in check. She is a fierce young woman who, if she had survived, would have done great things.
NOTE: When playing Pi the character will be female-identifying.
MRS OKAMOTO / CAPTAIN / ZAIDA KHAN she/her, Japanese, 50’s.
MRS OKAMOTO. She is a senior member of a Japanese shipping corporation insurance team come to investigate the sinking of a Japanese ship. Serious and practical.
CAPTAIN. East/Southeast Asian and speaks their native language. They run the Tsimtsum which will sink. They are in charge.
ZAIDA KHAN is a dedicated Muslim. She is clear minded about her own beliefs and judgmental of others.
RUSSIAN SAILOR he/him, any Ethnicity, 40s. Speaks Russian only. Befriends Pi on the ship and survives on the lifeboat with a broken leg.
VOICE OF RICHARD PARKER / COOK / FATHER MARTIN he/him, any Ethnicity, 30-40’s.
COOK – French accent. A looming presence, angry, quick to react against people. He works on the Tsimtsum but believes he is better than that. He is determined to survive the shipwreck and do anything that requires. He is ruthless.
FATHER MARTIN. A Christian priest who is certain of his faith and trying to persuade Pi to join his church. He is benign.
When RICHARD PARKER speaks this actor also manipulates the puppet with other puppeteer actors. This will be a puppeteering track.
ENSEMBLE / PUPPETEERS Any age, any Ethnicity. These performers should have experience with puppetry and will be required to operate the large scale animal puppets.
We will also be casting several performing understudies for the production. Please indicate if you are interested in being considered for understudy roles.
- Please head to our Auditions Portal at royalmtc.ca/Artists/Auditions.aspx to submit.
- We are currently only considering submissions from Winnipeg-based actors.
- 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 FOR WINNIPEG IS TUESDAY APRIL 1, 2025.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS
- ABOUT THE CITADEL THEATRE:
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. For more on Citadel Theatre’s Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity commitments, please visit: https://bit.ly/CitadelEDI.
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.
ABOUT ROYAL MTC:
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is proud to call Manitoba home, and is located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew and Dakota people, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We are thankful for the benefits sharing this land has afforded us, acknowledge the responsibilities of the Treaties, and embrace the opportunity to partner with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
INCLUSIVE CASTING: Royal MTC recognizes the importance of inclusivity in casting as part of our commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive ecology. For roles where identity characteristics are not prescribed, the Director will consider all Artists, without discrimination on any protected grounds.
CULTURAL INTEGRITY IN CASTING: When casting culturally-specific roles, or roles requiring specific lived experience, MTC will make every effort to audition and engage Artists who identify as part of the applicable community.
ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES: The audition, rehearsal, and performance spaces at the John Hirsch Mainstage are accessible via elevator/freight elevator. While the performance space at the Tom Hendry Warehouse is at ground level, the rehearsal space is accessed only via a flight of stairs.
SAFE AND RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY: Royal MTC is committed to fostering a safe and respectful workplace, free from any form of hate, discrimination, or harassment, where every individual treats one another with dignity and respect.
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. For more on Citadel Theatre’s Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity commitments, please visit: https://bit.ly/CitadelEDI.
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.
ABOUT ROYAL MTC:
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is proud to call Manitoba home, and is located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew and Dakota people, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We are thankful for the benefits sharing this land has afforded us, acknowledge the responsibilities of the Treaties, and embrace the opportunity to partner with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
INCLUSIVE CASTING: Royal MTC recognizes the importance of inclusivity in casting as part of our commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive ecology. For roles where identity characteristics are not prescribed, the Director will consider all Artists, without discrimination on any protected grounds.
CULTURAL INTEGRITY IN CASTING: When casting culturally-specific roles, or roles requiring specific lived experience, MTC will make every effort to audition and engage Artists who identify as part of the applicable community.
ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES: The audition, rehearsal, and performance spaces at the John Hirsch Mainstage are accessible via elevator/freight elevator. While the performance space at the Tom Hendry Warehouse is at ground level, the rehearsal space is accessed only via a flight of stairs.
SAFE AND RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY: Royal MTC is committed to fostering a safe and respectful workplace, free from any form of hate, discrimination, or harassment, where every individual treats one another with dignity and respect.