Auditions
OPEN CALL AUDITIONS
Les Zinspiré.e.s : Onze calme et on continue
Théâtre français de Toronto
PROJECT SYNOPSIS:
Original. Unique. Eagerly awaited by some. TfT presents the eleventh edition of Les Zinspiré.e.s. This series of shows continues to generate admiration and enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike.
Les Zinspiré.e.s is a writing contest in Southern Ontario schools where more than 200 teenagers submit their stories; writings that highlight their preoccupations and the current subjects that inspire them. In the end, five short plays are chosen and brought to the stage by a team of professional artists.
Humorous. Tragic. Burlesque. The writing styles intertwine and complement each other thanks, once again this year, to an ingenious staging by Constant Bernard.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
To provide as many Toronto applicants as possible with the opportunity to make themselves known, TfT is requesting self-taping video auditions for this first round of auditions.
Please submit:
- Photo and résumé in a single PDF with your name in the title of the file,
- Audition video (self-tape) including:
- 1 scene of your choice from the sides (scripts) provided from Les Zinspiré.e.s 11 (1-2 takes, different in tone),
- 1 minute max. of self-introduction if Constant does not already know you,
- Optional: 1 minute max. of a talent you would like to share (ex: singing, dancing, playing an instrument, etc.) You can also showcase your talent by sharing a link to a short pre-existing video/demo,
- final slate (wider frame if possible) with name, height, agency (or ‘self-represented’) and city of residence.
THIS IS AN OPEN CALL. No pre-selection will be required. Any adult performer fitting the character descriptions below can submit their audition via THE AUDITION SUBMISSION FORM.
DEADLINE to submit self-tape: Saturday, August 5th, 2023, 11:59 p.m.
Contact for information: Pierre Simpson, zinspires@theatrefrancais.com
If you have worked closely with Constant before and would prefer to be considered for callbacks WITHOUT recording a self-tape, please send a request to constant.m.bernard@gmail.com
Théâtre français de Toronto works under the UDA-ACT (Union des artistes) agreement. Equity Members are allowed to work under UDA-ACT for 3 contracts per year using their CAEA membership.
Interested actors MUST LIVE IN THE TORONTO AREA: upon request, they must be able to provide an Ontario health card and/or bill with a Toronto address.
In order to reflect the multicultural reality of the Francophonie in Ontario and Toronto, actors of various ancestries and identities are strongly encouraged to audition. Everyone must be very comfortable REHEARSING AND PERFORMING IN FRENCH.
Viewing committee: Constant Bernard, Karine Ricard and Pierre Simpson (subject to change). All submissions will be viewed by at least one person.
LES ZINSPIRÉ.E.S: Onze calme et on continue
Short plays by teen writers from Southern Ontario and coached by a professional team.
Director: Constant Bernard
In person and virtual recalls: August 14-19, 2023
Rehearsals: October and November 2023, with possible workshop in late September (to be confirmed)
Performances: November 23 to December 15, 2023
DOWNLOAD SIDES TO PREPARE HERE (FRENCH ONLY)
ROLES TO BE CAST:
All actors will be asked to play several characters ranging in tone from dramatic to comedic.
Open ethnicity as well as trans and non-binary performers are highly encouraged for all roles.
SHAN: Adult female or male, mixed race, francophone, to play a teenager aged 16 to 18.
Go-getter but who shows great sensitivity and caution. Synopsis of ‘Syndrome de l’imposteur’: In a dystopian future, it is illegal to be multiracial. Shan therefore finds themselves forced to choose between their two races.
(Looking for mixed race performers, preferably half Asian, but open to various submissions)
OPHÉLIE: Adult female, any ethnicity, francophone, to play a teenager aged 16 to 18.
A little shy but brave. Synopsis of 'Les Princesses et l'épée': Ready to fight for her kingdom plagued by famine, Ophélie will have to brave a mountain, a dragon and another princess as sassy as she is to save her prince.
ZARATHOUSTRA: Adult male, any ethnicity, francophone, to play from 16 to 70 years old.
Self-important, cunning, contemplative but often frustrated. Synopsis of 'Zarathoustra': Loosely inspired by the writings of Nietzsche, this great sage will have to descend from the top of his mountain and face the ridiculous nonsense that overwhelms humanity in 2023.
(Looking for comic performer)
**JULIETTE: **Adult female, any ethnicity, francophone, to play a teenager aged 16 to 18.
Unwavering, energetic and optimistic. Synopsis of 'La fille n’est pas morte': Juliette is struggling to come to terms with the death of her best friend Stella. So she decides to wake her from her eternal sleep with black magic but quickly realizes that the zombie version of her friend is not what she had imagined.
**SEPHORA: **Adult female, Afro-descendant, francophone, to play a teenager aged 16 to 18.
Determined. Emotions running high. Flourishing. Synopsis of ‘Je suis’: A slam poem. An ode to Generation Z that questions today’s social norms and asserts adolescent identity.
(Afro-descendant performers from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates are encouraged to explore rhythm, musicality, and/or movement in this text as it inspires them.)
