Actors Needed for Paid Table Reads "Rising Voices"

"THE LANDLORD". Determined and self-sufficient-to-a-fault, Qhira’s fiercely protective of her young daughter, Mikaela. She worries that giving her all isn’t enough to give her kid a fair shot. When the Landlord separates her from her child, Qhira's strength and resilience are put to the ultimate test as she fights to save her family and her home.

"THE LANDLORD". Mixed-race man. Ambitious, self-centred aspiring musician. Born and raised in the building, but singularly focused on making it big and moving out. Initially dismissive of his neighbour’s struggles, but learns the importance of community. Must confront his own fears of failure to stand with Qhira and the others.

"THE LANDLORD". Self-involved hipster who AIRBNB’d a spot for a few days. Hates it, will leave a bad review. More concerned with his own escape than helping anyone.

"THE LANDLORD". East Asian woman. The building’s official adorable senior couple. Always together, deeply devoted to each other. When Mom gets trapped in the malfunctioning elevator, Pop’s sole- focus becomes trying to save her.

"THE LANDLORD". East Asian man. The building’s official adorable senior couple. Always together, deeply devoted to each other. When Mom gets trapped in the malfunctioning elevator, Pop’s sole - focus becomes trying to save her.

"THE LANDLORD". Otherworldly. An entity of cosmic horror. Seeks to evict the tenants and move in “his family.” Speaks in an ominous, deep, elongated, drone. Earthly language is not his mother tongue.

"LEVELED". Female First-generation American, Pakistani, Muslim, Hijabi with a dancer physique, challenges cultural and religious ideologies. Living under her grandmother, Zuli’s outdated rules, Safa struggles with finding her voice. When she enlists the help of her mother after secretly entering a dance competition, she pushes boundaries in pursuit of her dreams but fears being judged by her community.

"LEVELED". Born Pakistani, embodies the typical South Asian Matriarch, who stubbornly holds onto her cultural ideologies, even if they don’t fit into the world she currently lives in. Her need to control her family keeps her at arm’s length from truly understanding who they really are. Picking up the pieces of her late husband’s gambling addiction, she’s determined to make sure Safa walks the straight and narrow path.

"LEVELED". Muslim, American, born Pakistani, Sanam is a loving Mother and devoted wife who chooses to prioritize family over her personal desires. Despite battling an aggressive form of cancer, she is determined to help Safa achieve her dream to dance by enlisting as her trainer for a dance competition. Sanam uses the skills she’s learned from her background as a dancer, to help her daughter triumph as an aspiring dancer.

"LEVELED". First-generation American, Muslim, Pakistani, best friend, and confidant to Safa, is an aspiring filmmaker. Heart throb for many, he only has eyes for since Safa since childhood. PERFORMER WILL BE REQUIRED TO READ FOR AN ADDITIONAL ROLE (CHOTO). CHOTO, 7-10 years old child. First-generation American, Muslim, Pakistani is younger sister to Safa and daughter to Sanam and Bilal. She symbolizes light, hope and new beginnings.

"LEVELED". Pakistani born American Muslim, is husband to Sanam and Father to Safa and Chotu. Bilal isn’t your typical Pakistani Father or Husband. He’s committed to breaking the generational cycle by creating a better upbringing for his girls. Bilal’s desire to stay neutral between his Mother, Zuli, wife and daughter’s, backfires at times creating more tension and angst. But, his love for Sanam inspires him to be a better man be a better man with every passing day.

"HEGEMON". Responsible, loyal and a ringleader. When the zombie outbreak begins, Sharpe wrestles with immense guilt for being unable to save his family and friends. After meeting Yafiah and her little sister, Sharpe views their protection as a path to personal redemption. He won’t fail again to protect those in need. As much as they need him, he needs them too. Playing the role of provider and protector gives him his only sense of purpose.

"HEGEMON". Muslim woman. free-spirited college student in a family of 5. When the zombie outbreak begins, her 10-year-old sister is the only surviving member of her family. Yafiah bravely takes on a maternal role to protect her younger sister. With no resources or support, Yafiah must rely on others to secure her safety out of the city.

"HEGEMON". Black girl, Muslim, Yafiah’s younger sister. Bubbly and innocent; the youngest of her siblings. After watching her mother die to the hands of her infected brother, Dua is irreparably changed. She anxiously clings to her only remaining family member, Yafiah. She struggles to trust anyone else, fearful of their capacity for violence.

"HEGEMON". In the infancy of his retirement. Benjamin and his beloved wife enjoy a quiet life on their inherited lands. Benjamin springs into action when a stranger (Yafiah) knocks on his door one night, warning him of zombies. He devises a plan for their escape which ultimately leads to his demise.

"HEGEMON". Wife to Benjamin. Patricia’s identity is defined by her marriage. Supportive and affectionate to loved ones, but cold to strangers. When Benjamin proposes a plan to escape incoming zombies, Patricia agrees without question. Loyal to a fault, she follows her husband to the ends of the earth.

"SHE COMES FOR YOU". Vietnamese/SouthEast/East Asian. An artist who is dealing with grief in all the wrong ways. She believes her sister who recently committed suicide is trying to contact her. Spunky, reactive, hardened

"SHE COMES FOR YOU". Vietnamese/South East Asian. A single mother who has been in survival mode for as long as she can remember. She loves her daughters but doesn’t necessarily know how to show it in the Western way. She carries survivor’s guilt with her and is dealing with the grief of the suicide of her youngest daughter.

"SHE COMES FOR YOU". Margot is Jenny’s partner, they’ve been through everything together, but Silvia’s death may be the ultimate test. Margot is kind and unwavering. She is the yin to Jenny’s yang – but even she has limits.

"SHE COMES FOR YOU". Vietnamese/South East Asian. Jenny and Silvia’s aunt, Anita’s younger sister. She a baby when they came to Canada following the Vietnam war and is more Westernized than Anita. She is fun, colourful, and supportive. She provided the girls with the love they needed. (Same reader as NGOC)