Youth Auditions for South Pacific

Youth Auditions for South Pacific

NOTICE OF YOUTH AUDITION FOR THE SHAW FESTIVAL 2027 – SOUTH PACIFIC

December 5, 2026 – Festival Theatre, Niagara on the Lake

CASTING PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE
Director: Nina Lee-Aquino
Choreographer: Genny Sermonia
Music Director: Ryan deSouza

Deadline to submit: November 20, 2026 – 5:00pm

CONTACT
Thom Marriott
auditions@shawfest.com
905-468-2153
Engager website: www.shawfest.com

Agreement: CTA

ETHNO CULTURAL STATEMENT
The Shaw Festival encourages submissions from artists of all backgrounds.

SHAW FESTIVAL THEATRE MISSION
To create unforgettable theatrical encounters in any way we want, inspired by the spirit of George Bernard Shaw: mischievous and witty; provocative and iconoclastic; engaged with the world. We want to be a two-way Theatre where the audience has a real voice, and is not excluded from any aspect of our work.

Additional information
NOTICE OF YOUTH AUDITION FOR THE SHAW FESTIVAL 2027 – SOUTH PACIFIC

NGANA – (the character should appear as a 9-12 year old)
Emile’s daughter, Ngana is of mixed Polynesian and French heritage. We are specifically seeking a mixed-race actor/singer (female-presenting) who can authentically reflect the character’s mixed heritage, including actors of mixed Pacific Islander, Asian and/or South Asian heritage.
Singing range: mezzo-soprano (D4–C5).

JEROME – (the character should appear as a 9-12 year old)
Emile’s son, Jerome is of mixed Polynesian and French heritage. We are specifically seeking a mixed-race actor/singer (male-presenting) who can authentically reflect the character’s mixed heritage, including actors of mixed Pacific Islander, Asian and/or South Asian heritage.

These actors must have an excellent voice, and be able to move well.

LOCATION: Shaw Festival Theatre – Paxton Whitehead Rehearsal Hall
DATE: Saturday, December 5, 2026
TIME: Auditions will be held between 4:00-9:00pm.

REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for young people who can play a young girl or a young boy, preferably between the ages of 9-12. But we welcome submissions from young performers outside of that age range as well.

Performers cast in the production will be paid and engaged under a Canadian Actors Equity contract. As a member of the cast, performers are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances for which they are called.

If cast, this commitment to the show must be first priority over other extra-curricular activities for the length of the contract. All rehearsals and performances are held in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for driving the children to and from all rehearsals and performances. We are particularly interested in auditioning children from the Niagara Region, Hamilton and Burlington due to proximity to the Festival.

MUSICAL
Each auditionee will be emailed a music file that contains a short portion of one of the songs from the show. Singers should be prepared to sing that song at the audition. A piano accompanist will be provided for auditions.

DANCE
Each auditionee will be required to attend our dance/movement call. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to move in.

COMMENTS
Once applicants have submitted their letter and photo and been selected for an audition, the music file will be emailed.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
South Pacific at the Shaw Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Outside dates: February 5 – October 30, 2025
(Leads music rehearsals begin 02/05. Chorus music rehearsals begin 02/09)
First preview: April 10
Opening: May 29
Closing: October 30
(These dates subject to change)

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please write a letter introducing yourself and describe any experience you have with performing, singing or voice training. If you have a resume of theatre experience, please include that as well.

Please attach a photo of yourself. It does not need to be a professional headshot, but should be a clear head and shoulders photo in front of a plain background.

Please make all submissions to this email address: auditions@shawfest.com
Please note that we are not accepting recorded or virtual auditions at this time.

We are only holding auditions on the date indicated. If you will not be available, please do not submit.
We are only accepting audition requests from local artists who are legally able to work in Canada (Citizens or permanent residents)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Please send submissions NO LATER than 5pm (EST), Friday, November 20, 2026.
Submissions received after this date and time may not be considered.

Inquiries for further information can be made to auditions@shawfest.com

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

Discover more about working at the Shaw Festival by visiting our Welcome Website at welcome.shawfest.com

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members.

The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid.

In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

We acknowledge and honour the land upon which we gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. In particular we recognize and thank the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.