The Drama Department at the University of Lethbridge invites you to audition for the fall 2024 production of alterNatives. Written by Drew Hayden Taylor and Directed by Marshall Vielle. Auditions will be held on April 9 with call-backs on April 10. Please review the information below for audition details.

alterNatives
Written by Drew Hayden Taylor
Directed by Marshall Vielle

A very liberal contemporary couple — Angel, an urban Native science fiction writer, and Colleen, a “non-practising” Jewish intellectual who teaches Native literature — hosts a dinner party. The guests at this little “sitcom” soirée are couples that represent what by now have become the clichéd extremes of both societies: Angel’s former radical Native activist buddies and Colleen’s environmentally concerned vegetarian / veterinarian friends. The menu is, of course, the hosts’ respectful attempt at shorthand for the irreconcilable cultural differences about to come to a head during the evening: moose roast and vegetarian lasagna.

Performance Dates:

October 7 - 11, 2024 | David Spinks Theatre (W425), Centre for the Arts, University of Lethbridge

Rehearsal Period:

September 4 - October 6, 2024 | Drama Studio (W420). Rehearsals will be scheduled Monday-Friday (6-10PM) with an afternoon rehearsal on Sunday. All rehearsals, including Tech Schedule, are subject to change. Actors are required to be available for ALL rehearsal and performance dates.

Tech Week:

October 1 - October 6, 2024 | David Spinks Theatre (W425)

Audition Information:

AUDITIONS: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 3:30 - 9:30PM in W420

CALLBACKS: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 5:30 - 9:30PM in W420

PROCEDURE FOR AUDITIONS:

• We are currently seeking auditions from University of Lethbridge students and community members.

• Please use the sign-up sheet and provide your name, email, and the role or roles you would like to be considered for.

• Please prepare a 1-2 Minute Contemporary Monologue. Additional audition materials, including scenes from the play, will be made available upon arrival.

• THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION IS APRIL 9, 2024.

A reading copy of the script is available here. Actors are encouraged to read the script to help prepare for their audition.

Character Breakdown:

The pronouns and ages listed are descriptions of the characters. Actors are welcome to express interest in any role, regardless of gender or age. 

ANGEL WALLACE (any pronouns) - Any Gender, mid 20s, Indigenous Writer. They are in a long-term relationship and live with their partner Colleen in the city. They grew up on the Rez with their best friend Bobby and have history with Yvonne.

COLLEEN BIRK (she/her) - Female, mid 30s, Caucasian Professor of Native Literature. She is in a long-term relationship and lives with her partner Angel. She is fascinated by Native Literature and has built her career on sharing traditional stories.

DALE CARTLAND (he/him) - Male, early 40s, Caucasian Vegetarian Computer Programmer. He is married to Michelle who has converted him to the vegetarian lifestyle.

MICHELLE SPENCER (she/her) - Female, mid 30s, Caucasian Vegetarian Veterinarian. She is married to Dale and is a very passionate animal rights activist.

BOBBY RABBIT (he/him) - Male, mid 20s, Indigenous alterNative Warrior. He was childhood best friends with Angel and is currently dating Yvonne and living on the Rez.

YVONNE STONE (she/her) - Female, mid 20s, Indigenous alterNative Warrior. She is currently dating Bobby and living on the Rez. She has history with Angel.

Some roles require intimacy and/or fight direction, please let us know what your comfortability with either of these is on your audition form. Please note: the University of Lethbridge Drama Department will utilize a professional intimacy coordinator and fight choreographer to help facilitate these moments. Please note: the script cites nudity for the character Angel.

Commitments:

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Marshall Vielle is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is actively seeking to dismantle inequity in the theatre sector. For this production, we encourage auditions from our diverse community which includes gender non-conforming people, people of colour, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people who are neurodiverse, people of all sexual orientations, and all others who face systematic marginalization or who are part of unrepresented communities.

Acknowledgement: Bearing a commitment to further the work being done to advance reconciliation and Indigenization at the University of Lethbridge, the Faculty of Fine Arts has been gifted a Blackfoot name – Piiksinaasin. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University of Lethbridge acknowledges and deeply appreciates the Siksikaitsitapii peoples’ connection to their traditional territory. We, as people living and benefiting from Blackfoot Confederacy traditional territory, honour the traditions of people who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We recognize the diverse population of Aboriginal peoples who attend the University of Lethbridge and the these Aboriginal peoples have made in shaping and strengthening the University community in the past, present, and in the future.

Accessibility: All University of Lethbridge facilities are accessible. Including rehearsal halls, performance spaces, and administrative offices. Our building is equipped with elevators and numerous accessible washrooms. The David Spinks Theatre stage and backstage are accessible to artists that have mobility access needs; the backstage area includes elevator access, accessible washrooms, and an accessible dressing room.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Marshall Vielle at marshall.vielle@gmail.com.