Show Synopsis

Come From Away is a critically acclaimed musical featuring a culturally relevant script accompanied by a deeply moving score by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The show has earned global success with 37 award nominations, 13 of which resulted in wins, most notably Best New Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards and Outstanding Musical at the 2017 Drama Desk Awards. The show’s global presence resonates across all audiences as an uplifting reminder of humanity’s ability to come together, no matter what the circumstances.

Come From Away is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.

Come From Away gives theatres the opportunity to contribute to its worldwide impact by spreading the show's message of kindness, unity, and resilience with their communities. 

What are we looking for?

We believe that great casting is about finding people who are true to themselves. We want to see who you are. We’re interested in performers with a distinct point of view and a willingness to bring their own unique gifts to the creative process. If you've got a passion for performance and a personality that's ready to shine, we want to meet you.

We are looking for 12 talented and diverse performers of all ethnicities aged 18 or older.
We are also looking to cast 4-6 standbys for this production. Any guaranteed performances for these roles would be noted in an offer letter or given during the rehearsal process. 

Breakdown of terminology is as follows:

• Performing / Principal Cast - Actor who performs in the majority or all performances

• Standby - When an actor doesn’t perform with the principal cast every performance but learns the role(s) to perform in emergency situations and/or preplanned performances. While the standby doesn’t have to be at every performance, they must be within an hour’s distance from the theatre and available with at least one hour’s notice of call time. 

The Georgetown Palace encourages all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and nonbinary actors to audition for any roles listed. The character descriptions on the following pages are gender binary and are written with he/him or she/her. While they are limited in their writing, we hope that anyone who identifies with any of the roles, is comfortable auditioning.

Audition Process

Auditions take place on the Springer stage. 

• Monday, November 30 - 6-10 pm 

• Tuesday, December 1 - 6-10 pm

Auditionees perform a short monologue, sing, and dance in one visit. Please plan to be at the Palace for about 2 hours once your audition time begins. 

We audition 20 performers per 2 hour block. In the first part of the audition you perform your song for the production team. The second part of your audition you will learn a folk dance combination. Sign up to audition on Monday or Tuesday evening. 

All roles require movement, so please plan to dance at the audition. All dancers and movers will be considered. Depending on where you fall in the order, you may not have much time to change between singing and dancing, so plan accordingly. 

Suggested clothing:

• No jeans or restrictive clothing

• Flat-soled tennis shoes

Due to this format, it is imperative that you show up 15 mins before your audition time. Example: Your audition time slot is 6:30-7 pm, please sign in by 6:15 pm. 

The vocal audition consists of singing two sides from Come From Away, “Welcome to the Rock” and “Screech In.” An accompanist is provided. We do not accept acapella auditions. 

Please note that your audition side does not need to be memorized.

Welcome to the Rock and Screech In can be found HERE

Auditionees are encouraged to prepare one side from a specialty role, if they so choose:

Male sides:

• Claude

• Nick

• Oz

• Kevin T

Female sides:

• Beverley

• Bonnie

• Janice

• Beulah

• Diane

Prepare to deliver the following short monologue. While it does not have to be memorized, the auditionees should be able to demonstrate the Newfoundland accent while performing it:

“On the northeast tip of North America, on an island called Newfoundland, there’s an airport – it used to be one of the biggest airports in the world. And next to it, is a town called Gander. There’s a two-person police department, an elementary school, an SPCA, a local tv station and a hockey rink. It’s a small place – on a giant rock in the ocean. Everybody knows everybody else. And everybody in this room has a story about how they started that day.”   

(For a reference on the Newfoundland dialect, we encourage auditioners to listen to real-life residents of Gander—such as this interview with former Mayor Claude Elliott—rather than relying solely on the Broadway cast recording).

Audition sign ups can be found HERE  

In-person auditions are preferred. If these audition times do not work with your schedule, please email productions@georgetownpalace.org and we will do our best to accommodate an alternate audition. In-person callbacks are required. 

There is an audition waitlist. It should only be used if all timeslots are full or you have discussed with Productions and they gave you permission to add your name to it. 

Callbacks

Callbacks are by invitation only. They are scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 6:30-10 pm on the Springer stage. Callbacks are not posted on the Palace website. Email invitations are sent to participants with sides attached. Specific cuts of songs and sides from the script will be provided for callbacks for all characters. Participants not called back will also receive an email. 

Conflicts

When signing up for an audition slot please note any conflicts during the rehearsal schedule or performance dates.  

Please Note: Conflicts do not necessarily negate the opportunity to be cast, but we must factor them into casting decisions. Barring emergencies, additional conflicts added/disclosed after casting may result in dismissal from the production. 

Please include your Sunday conflicts in the event we have to reschedule any weekend rehearsals, tech or otherwise. We have to know all conflicts to schedule appropriately.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals begin Monday, February 1, 2027. Printed scripts and scores are available at the first rehearsal. Rehearsals are typically held on Monday-Thursday evenings, 7-10 pm, and on Saturdays, 2-6 pm. Sunday afternoon will only be an option in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts.

Once the show moves into the theatre, the rehearsal schedule may alter to accommodate adding different tech elements. All alterations are noted on the rehearsal schedule. 

Performances
We perform Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Curtain for evening performances is 7:30 pm, and Sunday performances the curtain is 2 pm. High ticket sales or length of run may lead to additional performances on Saturday afternoons.  

Special Performance Notes:

• Double Show Saturday on all Saturdays. 

  • March 27, April 3, April 10 and 17.  

  • A meal will be provided on double show days. 

• No Performance on Easter Sunday, March 28. 

• ASL performance on Saturday evening, April 3, 2027.

Local Talent

Auditions are open to the community, not just actors based in the Georgetown-area. If you are outside the area, you must provide your own housing arrangements for the full rehearsal and performance period. 

Casting

Please keep an eye on your emails for all notifications.
Once casting is complete, offers are sent via email. Once the full cast has accepted, email notifications are sent to all other auditionees. We do not make offers via phone or text. We notify everyone via email as soon as possible, but it takes time to finalize the cast list. 

Acknowledgements if Cast:
Wardrobe: Actors provide their own personal undergarments and standard show shoes (the Palace provides specialty shoes if deemed necessary).
Background Checks: All production participants must complete a secure background check every 3 years at no cost to you.

Compensation
All actors 18 and above who are offered a role in the show receive 2 comp tickets for the production. All actors 18 and above who are offered a role in the show will be paid a non-union stipend.

Health and Safety Protocols
Please stay home if you do not feel well. If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID or the flu, please stay home and away from others for 24 hours. If your symptoms improve and you are fever-free without medication, take added precautions for the next 5 days. If you travel, we recommend wearing a mask during rehearsals for 24 hours.

Georgetown Palace Theatre Policies

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors. We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.

Review the Georgetown Palace Theatre Operating Standards for more information.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  

If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.org.