Casting Call: A Strange Loop
Jun 7, 2024
Usher! Usher! Usher! Usher!
The search for Usher & his six Thoughts is on! The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre are casting for the Canadian Premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, A STRANGE LOOP. Details below!
CASTING INFORMATION
Production Name: A Strange Loop
Director: Ray Hogg
Music Director: Chris Tsujiuchi
Production Dates: March 20 – June 8, 2025
- Rehearsals (includes Tech): March 20 April 20, 2025
- Performances: April 22 – June 8, 2025
- Extension Options: To be discussed
Audition dates: July 16 – 17, 2024
Callback dates: July 22, 2024
Select Self Tapes via unlisted Youtube links will be accepted, in person auditions preferred
Submission Deadline: Sun, June 16, 2024 at 11:30 PM
Submission Email: casting@soulpepper.ca
HOW TO SUBMIT:
Preferred Method: Casting Workbook
Alternate Method:
- Email casting@soulpepper.ca
- SUBJECT: A STRANGE LOOP – Casting Submission
- Include Headshot & Resume
- Indicate what role(s) you would like to be considered for
MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION PERIOD March 20, 2025 – June 8, 2025. Only those selected for an audition or a self-tape will be contacted. Scripts and sides will be provided.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The internationally renowned big, Black, queer-ass American Broadway show takes us on a journey through the mind of a Black gay man who’s writing a musical about a Black gay man…who’s also writing a musical about a Black gay man…
Meet Usher. He’s dreaming of one day having a full-time career as a successful playwright, but currently he’s working front-of-house at Broadway’s The Lion King while grappling with his own artistic aspirations and personal identity. As he navigates the challenges of societal expectations, internalized racism & homophobia, body image issues, self-doubt, and the complexities of his own desires, Usher confronts the “strange loop” of his existence all the while trying to write the very musical the audience is watching.
Winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards including Best New Musical, two Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, and nominated for seven Lucille Lortel Awards, A STRANGE LOOP is poignant, subversive, and unflinching in its exploration of identity, sexuality, self-expression, and the power of art to transcend barriers.
ETHNOCULTURAL MANDATE:
The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper, and Crow’s Theatre are accessible to people of all backgrounds. We prioritize voices, perspectives, and experiences that have been excluded from our stages, creating theatre where everyone’s experience is valued, reflected which can change and sustain life in our communities.
As equal opportunity employers The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper, and Crow’s welcome and actively encourage submissions from individuals of all genders, body types, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
As the cultural identity and integrity of A STRANGE LOOP is rooted in Black culture, we are looking for actors who identify as being part of the Black/African Diaspora to submit. Varying levels of acting experience are welcome.
If you choose, you may provide us with the pronouns you would like us to use in your submission, or any other self-identification. We will respect these pronouns throughout the process. If you have access needs that require assistance during the application and/or hiring process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our community and our country. As theatre makers, we commit to centering a plurality of voices and stories in our work and we believe in the transformative power of stories to unite communities.
ROLES:
USHER
Black, playing age 20-26. Vocal Range: High Tenor (Eb 3-D5)
Self-described “young overweight-to-obese cisgender queer male full of self-conscious femme energy” Extremely self-aware and extremely insecure with a warm but deeply ironic sense of humor. He wears his intelligence on his sleeve and his darkness shows in his writing, not in his personal expression. An usher by night, musical theater writer by day. This role includes scenes of sexual trauma.
THOUGHT #1
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano (C3-G5).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to a Theatre Patron and Usher’s brother’s baby mama.
THOUGHT #2
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: Tenor (C3-Db5).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to Usher’s Doctor and the first incarnation of Usher’s mother.
THOUGHT #3 + understudy Usher
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: High Tenor (C3-D5).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to Agent Fairweather and Todrick.
THOUGHT #4
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: Bari-Tenor (G2-A4).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to the final incarnation of Usher’s mother.
THOUGHT #5
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: Bass (E2-E4).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to Joshlet and Usher’s Dad.
THOUGHT #6
Black. Any age 20+. Vocal Range: Bass (E2 -E4).
Doubles several characters including but not limited to the first incarnation of Usher’s Dad and Inwood Daddy. This role includes scenes of sexual trauma.
**PLEASE NOTE: We are additionally casting for up to 2 swings to cover roles listed above**