The Wrong Bashir Audition Notice
May 10, 2023
SEEKING ISMAILI ACTORS OF SOUTH ASIAN DESCENT
Play: THE WRONG BASHIR by Zahida Rahemtulla
Director: Paolo Santalucia
Audition Dates: Ongoing
Submission Deadline: Asap
Submission Email: paolo@crowstheatre.com
Company Website: crowstheatre.com
Show page: crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/wrongbashir
Agreement: CTA
Crow’s Theatre is currently seeking submissions from actors who identify as Ismaili. For the roles of NANI, NANA, and GULZAR, varying levels of acting experience are welcome.
Crow’s Theatre encourages submissions from Ismaili artists across all gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. If you are experiencing difficulties or challenges accessing this submission and/or fulfilling its requirements, please let us know and we will do everything we can to provide you with assistance.
Project Description
Bashir Ladha – a wayward philosophy major leaning towards nihilism – has accidentally been selected to assume an important religious position in the Ismaili community, and his parents have dutifully accepted on his behalf. As the doorbell rings and a series of unexpected visitors turn up at the Ladha family’s door, there is a sneaking suspicion that a mistake has been made, taking the family on a hilarious intergenerational ride that forces them to grapple with long-avoided questions of identity and family.The Wrong Bashir premiered in Vancouver to a sold-out run. This production will be the Toronto premiere.
Character Breakdown
BASHIR LADHA (male-identifying, 25 – 30): University student hipster (though he’d be offended if you called him one). Quotes philosophers at awkward times. Looking to find his place in the world and his family.
NAFISA LADHA (female-identifying, 16-30): Bashir’s younger sister. Spunky, realizes things as she says them, earnest. She’s able to get to the heart of the matter quickly. She’s goofy and a comedian, the youngest member of the LAHDA family.
AL-NASHIR (male-identifying, 45 – 60): Committee Representative. Has spent much of his life immersed in bureaucracy and it shows. Carries with him an air of formality on all things, even if he’s only describing the weather.
MANSOUR (male-identifying, 50 – 75): Al-Nashir’s Assistant. His vocation has always been his congregation. Pure and joyous sense of humour – the kind of guy who laughs looking for his glasses only to find them on top of his head.
NANA/DAWOOD (male-identifying, 65 – 80): Bashir’s Grandfather. His instinct is to assume good in others. Playful despite being in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. A pious man who has relied on his faith to pull him through hard times. At his happiest when talking about his grandchildren.
NANI/FARIDA (female-identifying, 65 – 80): Bashir’s Grandmother. Clever, sharp, and pious. Her life has always been driven by her community and connection to her congregation.
GULZAR (female-identifying, 50 – 70): Good friend of Nana and Nani. She knows your business, even if you don’t know her.
Project Dates
First Day of Rehearsal: April 23, 2024
Opening Night: May 24, 2024
Closing: June 9, 2024
TO SUBMIT
Send a resume and headshot in one attachment (PDF format) to paolo@crowstheatre.com. Please use subject heading “[FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] THE WRONG BASHIR 2023”
Crow’s Theatre kindly thanks all candidates for applying. However, only those selected for an audition will be contacted.