Looking for Calgary-area actors to participate in the first table read of RE: ELEANOR WALSH, a new full-length stage play currently in development.
The play is a contemporary courtroom drama set in Calgary. When a lawyer goes to court to fight for his mother’s right to access MAID before Alzheimer’s takes away her ability to consent, a deeply personal family decision becomes a legal argument over autonomy, identity, and what it means to honour someone’s wishes when they may no longer be able to express them.
This will be the first time the play has been read aloud around a table. It is not an audition or a performance, and no preparation or memorization is expected. I’m looking for actors who enjoy new work and would be interested in helping me hear what is…and isn’t…on the page.
Please note: RE: ELEANOR WALSH deals with MAID, Alzheimer’s disease, loss of capacity, death and the difficult choices families make around end-of-life care. The material can be emotionally intense and may touch closely on participants’ personal experiences. While the play approaches these subjects with compassion and without graphic content, prospective readers should be comfortable engaging with emotionally challenging material.
Roles:
ELEANOR WALSH — 70s
Intelligent, strong-willed and living with advancing Alzheimer’s. The woman at the centre of the case.
DAVID WALSH — early 40s
Eleanor’s son and a lawyer. He has brought the application on his mother’s behalf.
EMILY WALSH — late 30s/early 40s
Eleanor’s daughter and primary family caregiver.
PAUL — late 30s/40s
Emily’s husband.
SARAH LEVINE — 30s–50s
Lawyer representing the Province. Smart, compassionate and formidable.
JUDGE — 50s–70s
Presiding over the hearing.
VARIOUS — all ages
I’m looking for approximately six actors for the evening. As this is an informal first table read rather than a staged production, some readers may be asked to read more than one character. Roles will be assigned in advance, and some flexibility with character age and gender is welcome for the purposes of the read, although I would particularly like to find an older actor with the presence and strength to anchor Eleanor.
When & Where:
Saturday August 29
Calgary public library meeting room. Exact location and time will be confirmed with participants.
Time Commitment and Honorarium Expectations
Allow approximately 3 hours for introductions, the read, and discussion.
An honorarium will be provided for the primary roles, in recognition of the additional reading commitment.
Interested?
Please send me a short note introducing yourself, the role or roles you might be interested in reading, and whether you are available Monday, Wednesday, or either evening.
A résumé/headshot is welcome if you have one, but absolutely not required.
Most importantly, I’m looking for people who enjoy theatre, like working with new material, and are willing to sit around a table for an evening and help me discover the play.
Want to attend but not read?
A small number of listeners are also welcome. If you’re interested in hearing the play and participating in the discussion afterward but would prefer not to read a role, please feel free to get in touch.