Audition Listings

The Lady in the Van, Theatre at Eastminster

Theatre at Eastminster is a newly established company on the Danforth. Following our successful production of Agnes of God in 2016, we are pleased to announce our upcoming production of The Lady in the Van, to be performed June 27-29, including a matinee. This is a non-unionized and unpaid community theatre production.   

Theatre at Eastminster’s creative team brings over twenty years experience in professional and community theatre. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a developing theatre company committed to fostering creativity in our communities. As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Theatre at Eastminster welcomes participation from artists from diverse backgrounds including LGBTQIA communities.

About the play
Lady in the Van tells the true story of Mary Shepard, an elderly woman who lived for fifteen years in a rundown van on playwright Alan Bennett’s driveway. The play offers a thoughtful and amusing take on the virtue of charity, and the way in which this can benefit both giver and receiver.

To be performed June 27, 28, 29, with the possibility of additional dates. 

Auditions:
To audition, click here to sign up. Please bring a one-minute monologue as part of your audition. Text from the play will also be provided.

Call backs to be scheduled as needed.

Cast
Lady in the Van is a play with thirteen cast members. We are seeking non-union actors  who reflect the diversity of Toronto. The list of characters is as follows: 
Miss Shepherd – age 63. Strong Catholic, lives in a van.

Alan Bennett 1 – The public Alan. Age 40-60. Well-educated academic. Introvert. Closeted homosexual.

Alan Bennett 2 – Alan the writer. Age 40-60. Alan Bennett 1’s inner voice

Mam – Alan's mother. 60 – 75.  

Rufus & Pauline – well-meaning, nosy neighbours. 30+ 

Social worker – Female, 22+

Underwood – Male, 55+.

Leo Fairchild – Male, 55+. 

Lout/Ambulance driver – Male 20+

Miss Shepherd's Doctor – Male. Any age.

Interviewer – Female. Any age.

Various – Council workmen, undertakers, etc. 

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will be held weekly, starting in early February, on Saturday afternoons from 3:30-6:30. A call schedule for all parts will be provided. Additional rehearsals on Tuesday and Friday evenings will be scheduled, beginning Friday April 28.

Auditions will be held:
Tuesday, January 24, (6pm – 8pm in Auditorium)
Eastminster Church, 310 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON

Saturday, January 28, (3pm – 5pm in the Hurndale room)
Eastminster Church , 310 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON

Volunteers interested in other aspects of theatre, including stage management, set painting, props, costuming, publicity, and front of house are also invited to email jenn.thomson@gmail.com for more information.