Casting Call

Toronto Rehearsals | Performance at the Kingston Fringe Festival August 2026

After years of rewrites, workshops, fine-tuning, and studio recordings, we’re ready for our world premiere of the new Canadian musical, Who Is Esther at the Kingston Fringe Festival (rehearsals in Toronto).  If you’re excited by this, and you have experience as an actor/singer, then we’d like to speak to you! (Check out some of the music, the branding, and the surprising back-story on our website.) 

  • Rehearsals in Toronto at a location easily accessible by public transit, targeted starting the week of May 4the, and running up to 3/week until the show.  (There will be more intensive rehearsals in the two weeks prior to the show.)  We may also do a few preview performances in Toronto.

  • Performance at Kingston Fringe, Aug 6-16, 2026, with 6-8 performances, plus a possible additional performance for Fringe awards. Mandatory tech rehearsal day will occur on one day between August 1- 5.

Production Description:  Who is Esther is about a modern-day heroine who inspires people to believe that everyone has it within themselves to make a difference.  The entire story is told through music: like Evita or Les Mis, there is no dialogue except through song.

Synopsis:  Mr. Verious is a not-so-smart corporate CEO. After his VP quits, he recruits a replacement - Esther. The conniving Ham takes his hatred out on all who are different. Esther summons the strength to thwart Ham's plans. And yes, good does triumph over evil!

Compensation - We are able to offer compensation on a profit share model, plus $200 honorarium.  In addition, we will provide billetting in Kingston during the time of performance. We will also professionally videotape the performance, and provide the video to you for your portfolio.

Length of engagement: May 2026 – August 16, 2026

Future Opportunities:  Our intention is to produce this in Toronto in 2027, and our desire is for the same cast to do the Toronto run.

Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Union status:  This is a non-union production.

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ROLES TO BE CAST
(Note:  we are open to younger adults playing the "older" adult roles)

Esther

  • Mezzo, Female young adult, Black

  • She’s educated, street-smart, and from the gritty part of town.  She rises to be the VP.

Uncle Mo

  • Bass or Baritone, Male adult, Black

  • Esther’s uncle, mentor, confidante, and wise elder stateman

Mr. Verious

  • Tenor, Male adult, Caucasian, heavier build

  • CEO of a major corporation.

  • A caricature: not so smart, and easily influenced by others.

Ham

  • Tenor, Male adult, Caucasian or Asian

  • Self-important, self-serving (and slimy).

  • His toxic beliefs eventually lead to his downfall.

Schemer one / Aide / Chorus

  • Baritone, Male adult, any ethnicity

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DATES

Deadline: Rolling  (we will continue casting until we have the right actors.

Next In Person Auditions:  (Note:  if we have early responses, we will schedule an additional earlier audition.) 

  • May 12th and 13th, 2-7pm

Rehearsals to begin: week of May 24th and continue June and July (Toronto)

Tech rehearsal week: One day between Aug 1 - 5:  exact date TBD (Kingson)

Performances: August 6 - 16 2026; exact dates TBD (Kingston)

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CASTING PROCESS

Selected candidates will be asked to sing an excerpt from their prepared ballad and uptempo piece.  We may also provide a piece of music that they should be prepared to sing during the audition.

Who Is Esther Productions has a responsibility to create workspaces where people are comfortable in the creation process, and can be themselves in every capacity. If there are any potential barriers preventing you from applying to audition, please let us know and we will work with you to find a suitable application process.

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HOW TO SUBMIT

Please submit here:   https://forms.gle/oVa4WX744HB1vjm98 (The audition panel will receive your information electronically.)

AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN TORONTO ON A ROLLING BASIS - if you are a fit, you will be notified within 24 hours of your audition date.