Audition Listings

AUDITION NOTICE: Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of the Grotesque – White Mills Theatre Co.

Project

White Mills Theatre Co. is pleased to announce our upcoming collaboration with Campbell House
Museum and the City of Toronto, Tales of the Grotesque. An audience immersive adaptation of the
works of Edgar Allan Poe, the production harnesses verbatim text, physical theatre, opera and live
instrumentals to transport audiences to Toronto at the turn of the century. Premiering at Campbell
House Museum during the Halloween season of 2023, Tales of the Grotesque explores Poe’s most
disturbed and iconic characters, including Roderick Usher, Lenore, Annabel Lee, the Raven, Morella,
Frederick Metzengerstein, and more. Set within the sprawling halls of Toronto’s oldest surviving
building, the project is sure to awaken the macabre in all of us.

Synopsis

Despite her reservations, a stubborn doctor complies with an urgent request to visit her former lover’s
family mansion. Finding him bedridden due to an unknown sickness, she grows increasingly suspicious
of the circumstances surrounding his sister’s recent death. As she investigates his outlandish claims that
a sinister presence has overtaken the house, she discovers evidence of a link between her traumatic
upbringing and his family’s disturbing past. With his health rapidly deteriorating, she must abandon her
scientific ideology to uncover the supernatural forces at work, and confront the meddlesome
housekeeper who knows more than she claims.

Compensation

As an equal profit share opportunity, our current projections indicate honorariums may range between
$300.00 and $1,000.00 depending on the success of ticket sales. That said, all previous White Mills
Theatre Co. collaborations with the City of Toronto have sold out in advance of opening night, and
we’re confident this trend will continue.

Eligibility

This production operates under the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association’s Artists’ Collective Policy.
Interested Union and Nonunion performers are encouraged to audition.

Advisories

Please note, Tales of the Grotesque involves strobing effects, profanity, and graphic depictions of
violence.

Characters (Vocalists)

HUGO — Male, 25-60, any ethnicity, classically-trained baritone. The pompous first footman of the
House of Usher, Hugo abuses his authority over junior staff when left to his own devices. Senior among
the servants (second only to the housekeeper, Mrs. Rupert), Hugo has been vying for the position of
butler for years. With Mrs. Rupert’s attention occupied by the mysterious illness rapidly spreading
through the house, Hugo sees the perfect opportunity to assert his dominance over his underlings—and
perhaps charm his way into a butler position with visiting guests from a rival household in the
meantime.

This role includes classical vocal performance intended for a mezzo soprano. Given the mobile and site-
specific nature of the project, it may not be appropriate for actors with limited mobility or weak knees.
Comfortability with comedy and improvising interactions with audience members is an asset.

PEDRO — Male, 20-40, any ethnicity, classically-trained tenor. The level-headed second footman of the
House of Usher, Pedro is intent on proving his dedication to his employers to secure the stability of a
long-term position. But when supernatural occurrences begin to complicate his job, he considers
returning to the indignity and poor conditions of the workhouses. As residents of the mansion show
signs of an unexplainable illness, he is faced with the impossible choice of abandoning the future he’s
worked so hard to achieve or remain in a house inhabited by the dead.

This role includes classical vocal performance intended for a tenor. Given the mobile and site-specific
nature of the project, it may not be appropriate for actors with limited mobility or weak knees.
Comfortability improvising interactions with audience members is an asset.

Musicians

Given the mobile nature of this production, White Mills Theatre Co. is seeking three instrumentalists to
provide musical accompaniment while moving throughout the venue alongside the audience. Though
this project was conceptualized with violin and oboe in mind, all interested instrumentalists with the
ability to perform while in motion are encouraged to apply, regardless of their instrument. Musicians
can expect to be costumed in period-appropriate attire alongside our cast of actors and vocalists.

Submission Process

For the roles of Hugo and Pedro, please send a 2–5-minute self-tape audition reciting your choice of
text by Edgar Allan Poe, along with a performance of a classical or art song that best demonstrates your
vocal range, to whitemillstheatreco@gmail.com by midnight on Wednesday, May 24th. For musicians,
please send a self-tape audition performing a song that most resonates with you or, alternatively, please
forward a link to any online footage of prior performances.