Theater Casting Call for "Life of Pi" Play
ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. Directors are looking for performers for "Life of Pi" play. More details are below. About the play: "Life of Pi" brings Yann Martel’s acclaimed novel to life in a visually stunning and emotionally captivating theatrical experience. The story follows Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and is left stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with only a Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker for company. As Pi struggles to survive in the vast, unforgiving ocean, he confronts the limits of his faith, his resilience, and his understanding of the world. Additional information: Only those selected to audition will be contacted. THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS APRIL 1, 2025. When applying, please submit a head shot and a resume. Write the applicable location, (ie “Life of Pi – Edmonton” or “Life of Pi – Toronto”) in the subject line and indicate the role you are interested in in the body of the email. Audition materials will be made available to selected Artists.
9 roles
She/her, South Asian. NURSE is a Spanish speaker in Mexico. A firm but empathic mother figure to the traumatized Pi. She is kind, warm and capable. AMMA is Pi’s mother. She is Indian, devoted to her Hinduism and from Pondicherry. She is a loving mother, with children whom she adores but also keeps in check. ORANGE JUICE is an orangutan puppet operated by 3 actors. Will work with two puppeteers to realize OJ.
He/him, South Asian. Father is from Pondicherry and dreamed of being a circus ringmaster but has happily settled to own a zoo. He is instinctive, passionate and secular. A strong, caring and good father.
She/her, East Asian. LULU is a Canadian official in the embassy in Mexico. She has travelled from Mexico City and is charged with managing the humorless Mr. Okamoto. She is young and ambitious and open to having her opinion changed. MRS BIOLOGY KUMAR. A warm and independent woman of science. A teacher who loves the natural world. She is married to Mamaji. She is a strong voice with clear political opinions and compares the animal world to the human one.
He/him, South Asian. MAMAJI is uncle to Pi. Affectionate, loving, a bit of a joker. He is married to Mrs Biology Kumar. PANDIT-JI is a Hindu priest who lives and breathes his vocation. He is trying to persuade Pi to be more Hindu. He does not take kindly to other religions. ADMIRAL. An American Navy Officer from the 1940’s. He is precise, definitive, no nonsense and does not listen. He instructs Pi and says the unthinkable.
She/her, South Asian. RANI is Pi’s sister. She is 19 and very clever, a complete genius at math. She is sharp, funny, witty and keeps her brother in check. She is a fierce young woman who, if she had survived, would have done great things. NOTE: When playing Pi the character will be female-identifying.
She/her, Japanese. MRS OKAMOTO. She is a senior member of a Japanese shipping corporation insurance team come to investigate the sinking of a Japanese ship. Serious and practical. CAPTAIN. East/Southeast Asian and speaks their native language. They run the Tsimtsum which will sink. They are in charge. ZAIDA KHAN is a dedicated Muslim. She is clear minded about her own beliefs and judgmental of others.
He/him. Speaks Russian only. Befriends Pi on the ship and survives on the lifeboat with a broken leg.
He/him. COOK – French accent. A looming presence, angry, quick to react against people. FATHER MARTIN. A Christian priest who is certain of his faith and trying to persuade Pi to join his church. He is benign. When RICHARD PARKER speaks this actor also manipulates the puppet with other puppeteer actors.
These performers should have experience with puppetry and will be required to operate the large scale animal puppets.
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