SLT Audition
Auditions: Come From Away
By Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Audition one
Date: 21 Feb 2026
Time: 12:00 - 16:00
Location: SLT Fire Station SE27 9NS
Audition two
Date: 22 Feb 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:30
Location: SLT Fire Station SE27 9NS
Come From Away is the award-winning Canadian musical based on the true story of what happened when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001, due to American air space being shut down.
When the small town’s population of 9,000 almost doubled by 7,000 stranded, frightened passengers, the residents of Gander welcomed 'the plane people' or ‘Come From Away’ers with warmth, kindness, food and shelter.
Different from the usual ‘all singing all dancing’ musical, it is an extremely ensemble piece for actors who sing and singers who can act, as each of the 12 performers plays many characters and rarely leaves the stage. It will require a true team spirit and commitment. It will take dedication, respect for each other and the rest of the team.
Director: LilyAnn Green
Performances: 1 - 11 Jul 2026
First Rehearsal: 26 Apr 2026
Characters:
BEULAH: A teacher at Gander Elementary who takes control of the situation to help the stranded passengers. She befriends Hannah and prays with her. Also plays DELORES, who sings My Heart Must Go On. Mezzo with no actual solo. 40+ playing age
BEVERLY: American Airline pilot. Also plays ANNETTE, a local, slightly man-crazy teacher at the Gander Academy and others. (This actor may flash her bra very briefly at one moment along with two others). Strong mezzo-soprano, has one very strong solo. 40+ playing age
BONNIE: A no-nonsense wife, mother and committed employee of the local SPCA. She fights for the welfare of the animals trapped on the planes when no one else will. It can be a fun role but the comedy must come from the truth. Mezzo with no actual solo. 30+ playing age
DIANE: A divorcee from Texas, who begins a friendship with Nick. Also plays CRYSTAL and others. Mezzo- soprano with strong mix up to D. Is part of one duet and one trio. 40+ playing age
HANNAH: A New York grandmother waiting for news about her firefighter son, comforted by Beulah. Also plays others. Alto with strong belt and mix up to E . (This actor may flash her bra very briefly at one moment along with two others) 40+ playing age
JANICE: An eager new local TV reporter, thrown into the deep end on her first day. Also plays Flight Attendant and others. Mezzo-soprano – no actual solo. (This actor may flash her bra very briefly at one moment along with two others) Early 20s playing age
BOB: A hardened bid city dweller - Bob fears that someone's going to steal his wallet or shoot him. Also plays Muhumuza, Captain Bristol and others. This actor needs to have comedy experience. Ability to do an African accent is a bonus. Baritone. No actual solo. 20+ playing age
CLAUDE: The Mayor of Gander, Claude loves the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he's never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before. Also plays the Appleton Mayor and others. This actor must be comfortable with comedy and wearing a yamaka/kippah. Baritone. Only solos are spoken song. 40+ playing age
KEVIN J: Kevin T's boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, originally from NYC, he wants to leave as soon as possible. Also plays ALI, and others. This actor should be comfortable with finding comedy in difficult situations and speaking with a Middle Eastern accent and wearing a ‘kufi’. Baritone. 30-50 playing age
KEVIN T: Kevin is travelling with his boyfriend and secretary, also named Kevin. Also plays GARTH, the head of the local bus drivers union who are currently on strike, and others. Must be comfortable wearing a yamaka/kippah. Baritone/tenor up to G. 30+ playing age
NICK: An Englishman on a business trip. He has a slight heart issue, but life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane. Also plays DOUG, an air traffic controller married to Bonnie, and others. Baritone/tenor. 40+ playing age
OZ: The chief of a two-person Gander police force. Also plays customs officer, Mr Michaels the Spanish teacher, rabbi and others. Baritone/tenor up to G. 30+ playing age
The show is traditionally performed with 12 actors; 6 male and 6 female. This is how we currently expect to cast the roles but may also recruit a few background singers or split roles if necessary.
At the auditions, you will be expected to do the following:
Sing We will inform you closer to the audition which song from the show to be somewhat familiar with and you will sing a short section.
Speak We will send you a short scene etc to be familiar with, closer to the audition date.
Move We will teach you a basic movement routine and ask you to perform it as part of a group. Do not worry it is not ‘dance’ as you know and possibly fear it!
Note on accents
Please don't worry about the somewhat strange ‘Newfie’ accent. The director is a voice coach and Canadian! We just need to find out if we think you can learn it; you don’t need to be all that close yet. There are also lots of other accents required as well.
Rehearsals will be at ad hoc times on Sundays and Monday evenings and any other evening and weekend times we can find a space until 26 April when we have an SLT room allotted to us. Then we will rehearse Wednesday and Friday evenings 7.45 to 10pm (ish) and Sunday evenings 4.45pm to 8pm (ish).
COMPLETE THIS FORM for further information and to book an audition slot.
