Auditions (Edmonton): The Extractionist – University of Alberta Studio Theatre, Theater News

STUDIO THEATRE AUDITIONS for MICHAELA JEFFERY’S THE EXTRACTIONIST:
Seeking two CAEA (Equity) members
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Contract Dates:
First Rehearsal: October 19, 2026
Performance Dates: December 3-12, 2026
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DIRECTOR: Emily Marisabel (MFA DIRECTING THESIS)
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AUDITIONS – Tuesday May 19, 2026; 12:00pm-4:00pm
FINE ARTS BUILDING – UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA – (FAB 2-43)
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About the Show:
A young woman is missing. The prime suspect is a political young man and rising member of the powerful and secretive organization called Luminia. Enter Asha Ray, a deprogrammer who specializes in extracting people from dangerous cults. With no business card or office, Asha is known only by reputation—a last resort for desperate loved ones willing to work outside the law. With the help of retired detective Reuben Medina, Asha descends into a treacherous world of hidden motives and elite corruption. Together, Asha and Reuben must work to outsmart a powerful predator and uncover the truth. A razor-sharp, neon-noir thriller, Jeffery’s contemporary crime drama is a cry for justice for women on the wrong side of a system built to protect the wealthy and powerful.
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Character Descriptions:

Actor 1: Grant Langdon/Paul Kelly
Grant Langdon (Male, 50s-60s) Grant’s son Matt has fallen into the clutches of a cult run by public speaker Richard Holland. Grant is a wealthy and powerful businessman whose usual polished exterior can no longer conceal his desperation. Beneath his status-conscious demeanour lies a man burdened by guilt who is willing to bend morality, manipulate systems, and ignore uncomfortable truths in order to protect his son.

Paul Kelly (Male, 50s-60s). Kelly believes in helping others, especially those downtrodden. This is why he originally went into law enforcement – to help those in need and put the bad guys away. However, after years of seeing horrible, heartbreaking things happen to good people and those bad guys go free, he left law enforcement and became a private investigator. He still believes in the legal system, however he is led by his moral compass. If his morality says a person would be better helped off the record, then that is what he will do.

Actor 2: Richard Holland/Serge
Richard Holland (Male, 50s-60s) is the charismatic and controlling leader of the organization Luminia. A retired philosophy professor turned public figure, he promotes his extreme ideologies on the men’s rights movement, misogyny, male supremacy, wealth and the manosphere through online videos, public speaking and educational seminars under the guise of reaching your potential. He is extremely methodical, careful and very talented in undermining and manipulating. He uses his money, charm and influence to bend the justice system to his whim

Serge “The Russian” (Male, 50s-60s) Is a man of few words. He is very observant, deeply pragmatic and distrustful of many but deeply trusting of a select few. His presence suggests a long history of being treated unfairly by law enforcement and living in the shadows in order to survive. He believes there is no such thing as a ‘good cop’. He is Asha’s next door neighbour and has come to trust her completely. (The ability to do a Russian accent is needed)
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Auditions will consist of reading sides from the play. (Sides will be provided by email before the audition.)

Please submit your headshot and resume to:
Emily Marisabel at eboyle2@ualberta.ca with “The Extractionist: [INSERT ROLE] Audition” in the Subject Line by Wednesday, May 15 2026.