Theater Audition for "If Day" Play
ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. Directors are currently in search of performers for production of "If Day". Please, see the details below. About the play: February 1942. In the darkest depths of the Second World War, a Winnipeg businessman hatches a brilliant scheme to sell Victory Loans and supercharge the flagging Canadian War Effort: stage a fake Nazi invasion of the city. What could possibly go wrong? From the creator of the 2024 Fringe hit Nuclear Family ,IF DAY is an absurd and timely comedy of errors based true historical events. Rate: Equal shares of ticket sales after expenses. Additional information: Production Type: Independent Theater/Fringe Festival Production. Project Length: ~1.5 hours. Production Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba. REHEARSALS BEGIN: February 2025. PERFORMANCES: Winnipeg Fringe Theater Festival, July 16-27, 2025. NOTE: IF AN OFFICIAL FRINGE VENUE IS NOT OBTAINED, THE PRODUCTION WILL BE STAGED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER THE FESTIVAL (E.G. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025). NOTE: script will still be in development throughout production, so all cast members MUST be capable of memorizing lines quickly. All applicants will be given a section of dialogue to memorize and perform three days before the audition. When applying, please submit a head shot and resume.
16 roles
MAIN CHARACTER. A Mennonite farm boy who dreams of fighting for his country just like his comic book hero “Johnny Canuck” - but his held back by his staunch pacifist father.
MAIN CHARACTER. Johnny Lowen’s friend, a Jewish girl whose family owns a textile factory in Winnipeg. Militantly anti-Nazi, she campaigns for a Jewish refugee fund while dreaming of contributing more directly to the war effort.
MAIN CHARACTER. A Winnipeg businessman and aspiring politician who dreams up “If Day” - a fake Nazi invasion of Winnipeg - to help sell Victory Loans and increase his public profile.
MAIN CHARACTER. John Perrin’s bumbling assistant.
MAIN CHARACTER. Kenny Baker's uncle, an eccentric and flamboyant Hollywood director hired by John Perrin to organize “If Day”. Obsessed with realism, Moritz takes his assignment too far, with disastrous results (NOTE: this role is doubled with that of ADOLF HITLER in an early scene).
MAIN CHARACTER. An officer in the Canadian Army Reserves placed in charge of the opposing forces for “If Day”. Cynical and suspicious, he opposes the entire plan from the start (NOTE: his role is doubled with that of a RECRUITING OFFICER in an early scene)
MAIN CHARACTER. Johnny and Essie’s nemesis: a Nazi sympathizer and son of a prominent Winnipeg businessman who immediately turns quisling and collaborates with the Nazi regime once the “invasion” begins (NOTE: this role is doubled with that of JOHNNY CANUCK in an early scene).
MAIN CHARACTER. Johnny’s father, a Mennonite sheep farmer and staunch pacifist who vehemently opposes his son’s desire to go to war.
MAIN CHARACTER. Essie’s mother, who was forced to take over the textile factory when her husband died. A stereotypical fretful Jewish Mother, she opposes Essie’s activism and believes that the Jewish community should just keep their heads down and survive.
MAIN CHARACTER. A convicted felon recruited by Max to play a German soldier, and who ends up being captured and held hostage by Johnny and Essie.
MINOR CHARACTER. Narrates Johnny’s internal monologue where he imagines himself as comic-book hero JOHNNY CANUCK.
MINOR CHARACTER. The host of a housekeeping radio show broadcast by the new “Nazi regime” of Winnipeg.
MINOR CHARACTER. An extra representing various fake German soldiers throughout “If Day”.
MINOR CHARACTER. Worker at a recruiting office where Johnny tries to join up; doubled with the role of THE MAJOR.
MINOR CHARACTER. Musclebound Canadian WWII comic book hero; doubled with the role of HENRY WHITE.
MINOR CHARACTER. Dictator of Nazi Germany; doubled with the role of MAX MORITZ.
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