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Winnipeg Jewish Theatre (WJT) is casting for the Canadian regional premiere of The Band’s Visit.

Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek
Book by Itamar Moses
Directed by Dan Petrenko

Music Direction by Paul De Gurse

The show rehearses in Winnipeg, with performances in the Berney Theatre.

Rehearsals Begin: Monday, April 7, 2025
Performances: May 1-11, 2025

SYNOPSIS:
An Egyptian Police Band arrives in Israel to play a concert. After a mix-up at the border, they are sent to a remote village in the middle of the desert. With no bus until morning and no hotel in sight, these unlikely travellers are taken in by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected ways.

SEEKING:

Seeking excellent actors who are strong singers. THE BAND’SVISIT takes place in the fictional town of Bet Hatikva, Israel. We strongly encourage submissions of Middle Eastern, Israeli, Arabic, and Jewish performers, and actors with knowledge of Hebrew and Arabic languages.

In addition to musical theatre performers, those who identify primarily as musicians on the following instruments are encouraged to audition for a track, or to get in touch with us directly:

Darbuka, Rik, Oud, Upright Bass, Clarinet, Violin, Cello

We are determined to keep access options open for any performers who do not come from the theatre world, as well as identify musicians for our orchestra. 

Those who are unable to attend auditions in Winnipeg will be encouraged to submit a taped video audition.

ROLES: 

SIMON (40s) The assistant conductor and clarinetist in theOrchestra. Once longed to be a composer. Clarinet skills are a plus but NOT required. This character is Egyptian. Primary vocal range: D3-D4.

HALED (20s) Trumpet player in the Orchestra. Handsome, smooth, a bit of a flirt, loves jazz. Trumpet skills are a plus but NOT required. This character is Egyptian. Primary vocal range: D3-F#4.

CAMAL (20s-30s) Musician in the Orchestra. Paranoid and wants very much to go home. Actor-musician preferred. This character is Egyptian. Primary vocal range: A2-E4.

DINA (30s-40s) Owner of a café in the small town of Bet Hatikva, Israel. Beautiful, world-weary, passionate, with a dry wit. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: D3-C5.

ITZIK (late 20s - 30s) A young father living in Bet Hatikva, married to Iris. A dreamer, currently unemployed. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: C3-G4.

PAPI (20s) Works at Dina’s café. Young, disheveled, and very nervous around girls. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: D3-Ab4.

IRIS (late 20s – 30s) Married to Itzik, a nurse, tough, hard-working, close to the end of her rope. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: G3-E5.

AVRUM (50s) Iris’s father, warm and a bit gruff, a widower. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: D3-Eb4.

ZELGER (20s) A brash, charismatic friend of Papi, fun-loving and confident. Roller skating skills a plus. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: B2-Eb4.

ANNA (20s) Julia’s cousin, sexy and extroverted. Rollerskating skills a plus. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: G3-G5.

JULIA (20s) Papi’s blind date, gloomy and shy. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: G3-E5.

SAMMY (30s) A married man and sometime-lover of Dina. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: C3-Bb4.

TELEPHONE GUY (20s) A young man who waits by a phone in Bet Hatikva for his girlfriend to call, very romantic but an oddball. Must have a beautiful tenor voice. This character is Israeli. Primary vocal range: C3-Bb4.

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Winnipeg Jewish Theatre (WJT) is committed to being a safe and inclusive space and we are continually dedicated to creating theatre in the spirit of equity and inclusion. WJT encourages submissions from diverse artists of all backgrounds, regardless ofrace, colour, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

All of our rehearsal and performance spaces are accessible.

How to Submit:
Email casting@wjt.ca – Please put “BAND’SVISIT – ROLE YOU’RE SUBMITTING FOR” in the subject line. In the body of the email, please include your name and contact info, and attach a copy of your headshot and resume. If selected, you will be sent a package with audition materials.

Deadline to Submit: July 4, 2024