AUDITION NOTICE: Now and Then, November 2, 2024

Ottawa Little Theatre presents

Now and Then
Written by: Sean Grennan

Directed by: Brian Cano

Production Dates:
April 2 – 19, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Wednesdays – Saturdays) and matinees on April 6 & 13  at 2:30 pm (Sundays)

Open Call Audition:
Auditions  will be held on:

Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – onstage readings will commence at 1:00pm sharp.

Call-backs will be at 7:00 pm Monday November 4, 2024.  

Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)

Backstage Orientation:
Simultaneously with the audition, A BACKSTAGE ORIENTATION and tour of the theatre will be offered by a member of the Volunteer Committee for anyone interested in working behind the scenes on any future production. Descriptions of each of the various Volunteer Positions can be found in the Volunteer section of this website.

Time Commitment
All actors must be available for all performances. 

Rehearsals will be:

• Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 12, then Jan. 2 to Feb. 18.
• After that rehearsals are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Feb. 19 to Mar. 16
• The crucial technical rehearsals are every week night and Sundays from Mar. 16 to 30.

Auditioners will be asked to declare which dates they are unavailable during the rehearsal period. We will try to work around these dates if they are cast.

Synopsis:
The action takes place in an American ‘Irish’ bar in 1981. 

A heartfelt romantic comedy about the costs of the choices we make, and the people who make them with us. One night in 1981, just as Jamie is closing the bar where he works, a desperate last-minute customer offers him and his girlfriend Abby two thousand dollars to sit and have a drink with him. Who wouldn’t take it? As the trio swaps stories and Jamie considers the decisions he faces about his musical career and his future with his girlfriend Abby. The young couple begins to realize that this older man is unusually invested in their choices… and the reason he gives them is completely unbelievable. But when a very displeased second stranger arrives, the unbelievable begins to look like it just might be true.

Character Descriptions:
JAMIE, late 20s–early 30s. Bartender and aspiring pianist. Attractive in a regular-guy way. Sincere, hardworking, very much in love with Abby.

MAN, mid-60s. A bit beaten down but good-natured. Easy to talk to, well-spoken, sincere, and very intent on his mission tonight. Husband of 35 years to woman. He is desperate.

ABBY, late 20s–early 30s. IHOP waitress and one-time English major. Funny, smart, and very much in love with Jamie.

WOMAN, mid-60s or a bit younger. Strong, direct, loving, a little coarse. She is Man’s wife of 35 years. No one knows her like he does and no one knows him like she. She and Man bicker but there is a bedrock of love there. They’d do anything for each other and no one can hurt either of them like the other one can.

Note on casting: Jaime and Man must be of similar build, height and facial shape. The same goes for Abby and Woman.

Audition Sides:
Click the links below to see the character sides that will be used at the audition. Copies will also be available at the audition. 

Side 1 – Jamie, Man
Side 2 – Jamie, Abby, Man
Side 3 – Man, Abby
Side 4 – Jamie, Abby
Side 5 – Abby, Woman
Side 6 – Man, Woman