COME FROM AWAY Equity Principal Actors - Virginia Stage Company Auditions

COME FROM AWAY - Norfolk, VA EPA

Virginia Stage Company | Norfolk, VA
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Wells Theatre
108 E Tazewell St
Norfolk, VA 23510
2:00 PM - 10:00 PM (E)
Break 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Holding room - Lobby.

APPOINTMENTS

PERSONNEL

To schedule an audition appointment please EITHER Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein complete the following form:
Google Form - OR email:
auditions@vastage.org with the subject line “COME FROM AWAY EPA Audition”. Please include the role(s) for which you are auditioning. You will receive a return email confirming your assigned time slot and may be asked to submit a headshot and resume digitally.

OTHER DATES

1st Rehearsal: August 11, 2026
Opening: September 6, 2026
Closing: September 20, 2026

CONTRACT

LOA
$899 weekly minimum (Ref. to LORT)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in COME FROM AWAY. Some roles will be understudied. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Virginia Stage Company strives for an inclusive creative work environment and actively embraces a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We encourage people of color, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups to audition. Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

PREPARATION

Please prepare a brief monologue of your choice. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions. Also, prepare a short song from contemporary music theatre or pop/rock song of your choice in the style of COME FROM AWAY which showcases your acting and singing skills as well as your vocal range. Bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Audition material may not exceed 2-minutes total. Also, please bring a copy of your headshot and resume stapled together.

VIDEO AUDITION

INSTRUCTIONS

If you are unable to attend these in-person auditions, you may submit a video audition. Please EITHER submit your headshot, resume and audition video link at:
Google Form OR email your headshot, resume and audition video link (NO FILES) to
auditions@vastage.org. Subject line: “COME FROM AWAY : EPA VIDEO Audition”. Please include what production(s)/Role(s) you are auditioning for. Please prepare the same material as for the in-person EPA.

SYNOPSIS

In a small town in Newfoundland, an ordinary morning becomes extraordinary when the world suddenly changes. On September 11th, 2001, thirty-eight planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers are diverted to the tiny town of Gander. As cultures collide and uncertainty fills the air, strangers open their homes, their kitchens, and their hearts. This acclaimed Broadway hit tells the remarkable true story of kindness in the face of crisis. With a soaring score and an ensemble cast playing dozens of characters, Come From Away celebrates the generosity that can appear when we need it most. And reminds us how deeply connected we really are.

NOTE: All actors must be able to sing and perform heightened forms of movement. Should be able to lift, move and/or reposition furniture, blocks, etc. as well as climb/stand on set pieces. This is an ensemble piece that will have constantly changing scenic locations all executed by the ensemble. Everyone plays multiple characters. Looking for game actors who are great in the room more than specific character types. Some characters have more text with regional Newfoundland dialect than others, but all have some. Vocal range based on original score, might be mixed up depending on who all is cast.

SEEKING

Beverley/Annette & Others: (40s-60s. Any Race or Ethnicity, Female-presenting. Vocal range: Strong mezzo with an easy mixed or belted C#) Beverly: The first female captain for American Airlines. Beverley Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes. Annette: A local teacher with an active imagination. Has a regional Newfoundland dialect. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief).

Claude & Others: (40s-60s, Any Race or Ethnicity, Male-presenting. Vocal range: Gruff, natural sounding Baritone with a strong high G) One of the locals. The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland; he loves his work, the townspeople and daily traditions. Has never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Has a regional Newfoundland dialect. Doubles as Derm (Brenda's Brother) and Eddie.

Hannah & Others: (40-60s Any Race or Ethnicity, Female-presenting. Vocal range: Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E) The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah. New York dialect. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Doubles as Margie, Mickey.

Beulah & Others: (40s-60s, Any Race or Ethnicity, Female-presenting. Vocal range: Mezzo with belt up to B) One of the locals. The head of the Gander Legion with a firefighter son who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Has a regional Newfoundland dialect. Doubles as Delores.

Kevin J./Ali & Others: (30-50s. Muslim or Middle Eastern. Male-presenting. Vocal range: Tenor or Baritenor) Kevin J: Kevin T’s boyfriend and secretary. A native New Yorker. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave Gander as soon as possible. Intimacy needs: Physical touch with friends in celebration and/or grief. Possible physically aggressive moments. Ali: a chef for an international restaurant chain who faces fear and discrimination in the wake of the attacks but finds connection with Beulah. Arabic as well as New York dialect.

Bonnie & Others: (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 30s-40s. Vocal range: Mezzo with belt up to B) One of the locals. A no-nonsense mother of three, she is the head of the Gander SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety - she often lashes out at those around her. Married to Doug, the Air Traffic Controller. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Has a regional Newfoundland dialect. Doubles as Martha.

Oz & Others: (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 30-40s. Vocal range: Strong contemporary Tenor up to G) One of the locals. The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town's population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Has a regional Newfoundland dialect and other dialects as well be able to speak in Hebrew. Doubles as Joey; Customs Officer; Mr. Michaels; Terry; Matty; Rabbi; Head Cardiologist.

Janice & Others: (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 20s. Vocal range: Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and a mix up to E) One of the locals. An eager new local TV reporter who is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naive about the world, she must face the pain and confusion around her. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Has a regional Newfoundland dialect. Doubles as Britney; Flight Attendant.

Nick/Doug & Others: (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 40-60s. Vocal range: Warm, natural Baritone or Baritenor with an easy E and strong pop sensibility) An English oil engineer who is focused on his work. His life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane. Intimacy needs: New romantic partner - kissing, hugging, touching. Physical touch with friends in celebration and/or grief. Possible physically aggressive moments. Doug: A local Air Traffic Controller who is married to Bonnie and tries to help his wife and the animals. Doubles as Officer Stephenson; Male Townsperson. Has a regional Newfoundland dialect & a British dialect.

Diane & Others: (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s. Vocal range: Warm, natural contemporary Soprano with strong mix up to D) A traditional divorcee from Texas (w/Texas dialect), who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he is safe, she is given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself. Intimacy needs: New romantic partner - kissing, hugging, touching. Physical touch with friends in celebration and/or grief. Doubles as Crystal and Brenda.

Kevin T./Garth & Others: (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 30-50s. Vocal range: Strong contemporary Tenor up to G) Kevin T: The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town's generosity, Kevin T. creates the Pay It Forward Foundation. Intimacy needs: Physical touch with friends in celebration and/or grief. Possible physically aggressive moments.

Bob/Muhumuza & Others: (Male-presenting, Black or East African, 20s-40s. Vocal range: Baritone) Bob: A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he has landed, fearing that it’s World War III, but instead he ends up losing his New York jadedness. Muhumuza: An African Passenger who, despite a language barrier, finds common ground with a local bus driver. Doubles as Captain Bristol. Intimacy needs: Physical touch between friends (in celebration and grief). Possible physically aggressive moments. African as well as New York dialect.