Sense and Sensibility

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Sense and Sensibility

AUDITION NOTICE

Citadel Theatre & Theatre Calgary’s Production of

Sense and Sensibility

By Jessica B. Hill & Daryl Cloran
Based on the Novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Daryl Cloran

This is a Joint Production co-produced by Citadel Theatre & Theatre Calgary

A fun and fresh adaptation of the Jane Austen classic. After the loss of their father, the Dashwood sisters—sensible, subdued Elinor and the passionately emotional Marianne—must navigate gossip, society, and the trials and tribulations of love and family. When suitors, both suitable and otherwise, start courting the Dashwood girls, the sisters must blend sense with sensibility to protect their hearts and their reputations. Full of heart and bristling with wit, this is a boldly unique reimagining of this much-loved romantic comedy.

EDMONTON CONTRACT DATES:

Rehearsal Starts: Tuesday, January 26, 2027
First preview: Saturday, February 20, 2027
Opening: Thursday, February 25, 2027
Closing: Sunday, March 14, 2027

CALGARY CONTRACT DATES:

Rehearsal Starts: Friday, March 19, 2027
First preview: Tuesday, March 30, 2027
Opening: Friday, April 2, 2027
Closing: Sunday, April 25, 2027

AUDITION INFORMATION

AUDITIONS IN CALGARY: April 1 – 2, 2026
AUDITIONS IN EDMONTON: April 8 – 9, 2026.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE FOR CALGARY AUDITIONS

  • We are currently only considering submissions from Alberta-based performers.
  • All submissions should include ONE PDF FILE with both a Headshot and a Resume (in that order). Please label the file LAST NAME_FIRST NAME.
  • Email submission to auditions@theatrecalgary.com. Write “Sense & Sensibility” in the subject line and indicate which character you want to be considered for in the body of the email. We accept online submissions only.
  • While we thank all those who submit, we have limited space and only those selected to audition will be contacted.
  • THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR CALGARY IS MARCH 16, 2026, at 6:00 pm (MT).

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE FOR EDMONTON AUDITIONS

  • We are currently only considering submissions from Alberta-based Artists.
  • All submissions should include ONE PDF FILE including both Headshot and Resume.
  • Submissions should be emailed to auditions@citadeltheatre.com. Please write “Sense and Sensibility” in the subject line and specify the role you are interested in (and any other details) in the body of the email. Online submissions only.
  • Audition materials will be made available to selected Artists.
  • THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR EDMONTON IS MARCH 23, 2026

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

The story will be told by a cast of 6 actors, most of whom will play multiple roles. The pronouns and ages listed are descriptions of the characters. Actors are welcome to submit for any roles of interest. Actors must be 18+ years old to submit.

This is a movement-based production, similar in approach to the Citadel’s production of Jane Eyre in 2022. We will build images physically, which will include some dance, lifts, movement, etc. Callbacks will include a movement call with Movement Director Ainsley Hillyard.

We will also cast three standby understudies. If you are interested in being considered for an understudy role, please let us know.

Actor 1: Elinor Dashwood

(Any Ethnicity. She/Her. 20-30 years old.)

The eldest Dashwood sister. Adept at hiding her true emotions, rational and sensible to a fault.

Actor 2: Marianne Dashwood 

(Any Ethnicity. She/Her. 20-30 years old.)

The middle Dashwood sister. Sensitive, romantic and opinionated. She wears her heart on her sleeve.

Actor 3: Mrs. Dashwood / Lucy Steele

(Any Ethnicity. She/Her. Plays characters ranging in age from 25-50 years old.)
Mrs. Dashwood is the warm-hearted mother to Elinor, Marianne and Margaret.
Lucy Steele is a young lady with no money or prospects, but she’s not going to let that stop her.

Actor 4: Margaret Dashwood / Fanny / Mrs. Jennings

(Any Ethnicity. She/Her. Plays characters ranging in age from 11-60 years old.)

Margaret Dashwood is the youngest Dashwood sister. Energetic.
Fanny is wife to John Dashwood. Self-centred, conniving and nasty.
Mrs. Jennings is mother-in-law to Sir John. Boisterous and gossipy, fancies herself a matchmaker.

Actor 5: Willoughby / John Dashwood/ Colonel Brandon

(Any Ethnicity. He/Him. Plays characters that range in age from 25-50 years old.)

Willoughby is a dashingly-handsome, confident young man.
John Dashwood is half-brother to the Dashwood sisters and husband to Fanny. He is somewhat pompous, more than a little oblivious and easily persuaded by his wife.
Colonel Brandon is an older bachelor. Honorable and exceedingly polite but socially awkward.

Actor 6: Edward Ferrars / Robert Ferrars / Sir John Middleton

(Any Ethnicity. He/Him. Plays characters that range in age from 20-35 years old.)

Edward Ferrars is kind, honorable and lacking in confidence. Prioritizes responsibility over riches. Yearns for a happy & simple life.
Robert Ferrars is Edward’s younger brother. Haughty, loud, impulsive, bit of a buffoon.
Sir John is a classic country gentleman. Loves a party. Distant relation to the Dashwoods.

WORKING WITH THE CITADEL THEATRE

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Statement

We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home of the First Nations, including the treaty signatories – Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.
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://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://citadeltheatre.com/accessibility/

Contact Name: Wayne Paquette
Contact Email Address: auditions@citadeltheatre.com

WORKING WITH THEATRE CALGARY

Theatre Calgary is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is actively seeking to dismantle inequity in the theatre sector. We encourage applications from our diverse community which includes gender non-conforming people, people of colour, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people who are neurodiverse, people of all sexual orientations, and all others who face systematic marginalization. For more on Theatre Calgary’s Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity commitments, please visit: https://www.theatrecalgary.com/artists-and-education/3550-initiative/

All Theatre Calgary facilities are accessible. Including rehearsal halls, performance spaces, and administrative offices. Our building is equipped with elevators and numerous accessible washrooms. The Max Bell 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.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Theatre Calgary acknowledges that we live, work, and create on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (which consists of the Siksika, Kainai, & Piikani), as well as the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 & 6). They were the original occupants of this land and continue to be here to this day. Theatre Calgary is grateful to have the opportunity to continue the long tradition of song, dance, and storytelling in this territory.

For more audition information on Edmonton Auditions, please visit: https://citadeltheatre.com/artists/auditions/
Contact Name: Wayne Paquette
Contact Email Address: auditions@citadeltheatre.com

For more audition information on Calgary Auditions, please visit: https://www.theatrecalgary.com/artists-and-education/auditions/
Contact Name: Anna Cummer
Contact Email Address: auditions@theatrecalgary.com