CASTING CALL
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING
THE WOUNDS OF LOVE AND OTHER GIFTS
a new musical by Bruce Dow
with the words of Oscar Wilde
for THE ALLIANCE FOR CANADIAN MUSICALS
at THE TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL 2026 (and beyond!)
Produced & Associate Directed by Olivia Daniels
Artists in Residence / Dora Award Winner / Best of Fringe
Written, Composed, and Directed by Bruce Dow
Broadway / Stratford / 2 x Dora Award Award Winner
Choreographed by Jeff Dimitriou
Mirvish / Netflix / Paramount
Musical Direction and Musical Supervision by Ethan Rotenberg
Shaw Festival / Meridian Hall / Shifting Ground Collective
Designed by Jason Dauvin
Stage Management and Production Management by Bella Szpala
Best of Fringe 2025 / TheatreTO / Dusk Dances
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We encourage submissions from artists of all ages, identities, and backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful working environment and welcome artists from communities historically underrepresented in the performing arts to submit. This production involves significant vocal and physical work; conversations around access needs and accommodations are welcomed.
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AUDITION DATES:
Saturday, April 25 10am – 6pm
You may be asked to stay or return for a movement call from 4pm – 6pm
Sunday, April 26 10am-6pm
You may be asked to stay or return for a movement call from 4pm – 6pm
CALLBACKS:
Thursday, April 30th 10am – 6pm
AUDITION & CALLBACK LOCATION:
877 Yonge Street, The Nancy and Ed Jackman Performance Centre
(Nightwood Theatre & Tapestry Opera)
REHEARSAL DATES:
1st Rehearsal Monday May 4th
Full cast rehearsals will be on Sundays throughout May and June with additional rehearsals scheduled based on availability.
PERFORMANCE DATES: 7 Performances between June 30th – July 12th, 2026
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ABOUT THE SHOW:
STYLE: Think West Side Story, The Light in the Piazza, Turn of the Screw, Street Scene.
This is classically grounded, vocally driven work requiring strong singing actors, strong movers, legit voices and, for the role of The Dancer (any gender), advanced skills in contemporary dance / jazz / modern, and ballet.
CAST REQUIREMENTS: All performers must be able to read music and be comfortable holding independent vocal parts within complex harmonies.
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Because of the significant vocal and physical demands of this work, we ask that submissions be made when there is a genuine alignment with the role description below. This call is best suited to artists for whom the role feels like a strong fit.
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ROLES
Tenor: Youthful, statuesque physicality with the ability to sustain stillness and balance; comfortable working at height. Vocal reference: Tony / Fabrizio — clarity, stamina, and emotional transparency. Range: Lyric Tenor (Britten / Guettel), C3–C5.
Soprano: Youthful vocal quality and presence. Must move well; this performer voices a role physically embodied by the Dancer. Vocal reference: Clara / Joanna / Julie Jordan — lyric soprano with clarity, stamina, and emotional transparency. Range: Lyric Soprano to C6 (floated).
Dancer (any gender): A highly expressive physical actor with an advanced dance vocabulary, comfortable working at height and carrying narrative through movement. Strong singer with a secure mid-range (Alto / Tenor).
Mezzo: A strong, mature vocalist with depth, warmth, and authority. Must move well; this role carries narrative primarily through song. Must be able to delineate character and perspective economically. Vocal reference: Nettie Fowler / Margaret / Lady Thiang (voice type references, not age). Range: Lyric Mezzo-Soprano, A3–F5.
Baritone: A strong, mature vocalist with depth, warmth, and authority, with a strong physical presence. Must delineate character and perspective economically and with clarity. Vocal reference: Emile de Becque / Billy Bigelow / Tevye (voice type references, not age). Range: Baritone, A2–F4.
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We appreciate your care in reading this notice closely and submitting only when the role feels like it might offer a genuine fit for your skills.
Compensation according to the standard Toronto Fringe Festival profit-share model.
Actors will be contracted under the CAEA Festival Policy
Union and Non-Union welcome to apply.
This work is being developed with a future life beyond the festival in mind.
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ALL QUESTIONS AND SUBMISSIONS TO:
woundsoflovecasting@gmail.com
(“wounds of love casting at gmail dot com”)
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AUDITION & SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
AUDITION DATES:
Saturday, April 25 10am-6pm
Sunday, April 26 10am-6pm
- Please indicate the role for which you would like to be considered in the subject line of your email submission.
- Prepare a cut of one song (approximately 90 seconds) that best demonstrates your vocal ability and storytelling. Please bring your book, as you may be asked to present an additional selection.
- You will be provided with a piece of text to read upon confirmation of your audition time.
- You may be invited to stay or to return for a movement call. Please, bring appropriate attire.
N.B. SONG CHOICE: Please prepare a selection in the style of Bernstein, Sondheim, Blitzstein, Weill, Guettel, Britten, Adams, or Jason Robert Brown. Contemporary musical theatre or art song with strong storytelling is encouraged.
SUBMISSIONS:
Please submit a headshot and resume.
CALLBACKS:
Thursday, April 30th Time: TBD
For Callbacks, you will be contacted and be sent a piece of music from the show to prepare. You will be asked to move / dance. Please bring appropriate attire.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: Friday, April 10th at midnight.