Auditions

AUDITIONS OPEN FOR GHOSTS (STAGED READING)

Call for Self-Tapes | Submit by January 19, 2025 Deadline extended to January 21, 2025
Theatre for Hope and Healing | Chicago, IL (North Side) | Venue TBA

EDIT: Deadline for self-tape submissions is extended to Thursday, January 23 for the roles of Pastor Manders and Jacob Engstrand!

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Title: Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen (trans. R. Farquharson Sharp)
Director: Harry Barandes
Co-Producers: Janine Ashley, Harry Barandes

Synopsis:

Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts is a striking exploration of the social, historical, and ideological forces that shape human lives. Set in a small Norwegian town in 1881, the play tells the story of Helen Alving, a widow who spent her married years concealing her late husband’s vices in an effort to protect their son, Oswald, and maintain social appearances. But as she prepares to open an orphanage in her husband’s memory, Oswald returns home seeking solace after years abroad, and long-buried secrets and traumas begin to surface, revealing the lingering “ghosts” of societal repression and personal compromise. Through richly drawn characters, Ibsen delves into questions of morality, duty, love, inheritance—both biological and ideological—and the human struggle to live authentically in a judgmental world of our own creation.

Mission of this Unique Project:

This project is dedicated to creating a brave and compassionate space that holds multiple narratives and promotes dialogue and partnership around the complex issues that so often divide us. Through our staged reading of Ghosts, we will explore themes of oppression, healing, narrative agency, and self-determination, while incorporating mental health-informed practices. Grounding exercises, a post-show talkback, and a focus on community connection transform theatre into a powerful tool for resilience, growth, liberation, and collective well-being.


LOGISTICS

Key Dates:

  • Self-Tape Deadline: Sunday, January 19, 2025, 11:59 PM Deadline extended to Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 11:59 PM
  • Self-Tape Dealine extended for the roles of Pastor Manders and Jacob Engstrand to Thursday, January 23, 11:59 PM
  • Invited Callbacks (Virtual): January 21-25, 2025
  • First Rehearsal (Virtual): First full week of February 2025
  • Tech (In-Person): Tuesday, March 18, 2025
  • Performances (In-Person): Wednesday, March 19 & Thursday, March 20, 2025

Rehearsals will involve a more extensive process than traditional staged readings, including table work, deep character analysis, and scene exploration as part of our Slow Theatre approach. Anticipate one to three rehearsals per week (three in the final two weeks before show week). All rehearsals will be held on Zoom until Tech on March 18.

Optional Event: Actors who are cast are invited to our Theatre for Hope and Healing Chicago Launch Pizza Party at Chicago’s Pizza in Ravenswood on Monday, January 27, at 6:30 PM. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

Compensation:

  • Non-union performer stipend: $300
  • Additional travel stipend may be available on a case-by-case basis.

SEEKING

We encourage submissions from people of all races, ages, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities. Accommodations will be provided to ensure accessibility.

Roles:

MRS. HELEN ALVING: (CAST – not seeking submissions) 

OSWALD ALVING: Male-presenting, early to mid 20s, any race or ethnicity. A vibrant artist returning home after years of independence abroad. He represents the younger generation’s yearning to break free from outdated moral codes. Charismatic and progressive, he struggles with the disillusionment of confronting the truth of his family’s past and his incurable, debilitating illness.

PASTOR MANDERS: Male-presenting, 40s to 50s, any race or ethnicity. A conservative clergyman and family friend. He embodies the rigid moral code of the time, often judgmental but well-meaning. He is deeply invested in appearances and social propriety. He represents the societal pressures that enforce conformity, though he is not without inner conflict.

REGINA ENGSTRAND: Female-presenting, 18 to early 20s, any race or ethnicity. Mrs. Alving’s maid and the daughter of Jacob Engstrand. She is intelligent, determined, and acutely aware of the limits society places on her. Regina’s struggle represents the plight of those seeking empowerment in a rigid social structure that often denies them agency. A practical and independent thinker, she embodies the hope and frustration of those yearning for a better life.

JACOB ENGSTRAND: Male-presenting, 40s to 60s, any race or ethnicity. A wily and amiable carpenter. He is Regina’s supposed father and appears to seek personal gain by presenting himself as a reformed sinner interested in bettering himself. He is, however, a complex figure; a man from humble means who’s had to hustle to survive in a harsh society. Though he can be manipulative and self-serving on the surface, his actions stem from a desire to provide a more secure future for himself and Regina.


SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

The monologue packet can be downloaded here. Please prepare and record the corresponding monologue for the role (or roles) you wish to be considered for. In addition, we invite you to record an entirely separate monologue of your own choosing—one you connect to deeply—so you can share something with us that you’ve had time to live with.

Email your headshot, resume, and a link to your self-tape (without password) to theatreforhopeandhealing@gmail.com with the subject line: “Ghosts Audition Submission – [Your Name] – [Role/s]”.

Please include a brief note sharing your interest in mental health themes and your comfort level with participating in the post-show talkback.


CONTENT NOTE

Ghosts contains mature themes, including extensive exploration of generational trauma. A detailed content note is available here


ABOUT THE COMPANY

Theatre for Hope and Healing (THH) is a Chicago-based theatre company with an international reach, dedicated to using the transformative power of theatre to foster healing, promote mental health, and empower individuals to reclaim their stories. We believe in the profound connection between storytelling and well-being, and we create performances and workshops that inspire reflection, dialogue, and resilience.

At THH, our unique Slow Theatre approach invites deep, intentional exploration of both classic and new works. By fostering a sense of safety and empathy, we create space for performers and audiences to engage meaningfully with complex narratives. Our trauma-informed practices, including the Safe Place to Play methodology, ensure that participants can safely explore their emotional and psychological responses, making theatre a tool for both personal and collective healing.

In our upcoming staged reading of Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, directed by psychotherapist Harry Barandes, we’ll blend thoughtful performance with a community talkback, inviting audiences to reflect on the play’s themes and their connection to mental health in our own lives.

Beyond performances, THH offers therapeutic narrative arts coaching, in-person workshops, scene studies, and opportunities for dialogue. We are also dedicated to advancing research on how theatre supports mental health and resilience, contributing to the growing understanding of how the arts can nurture communities.

At its core, Theatre for Hope and Healing is about creating brave, inclusive spaces where stories are honored, voices are heard, and healing can take root.


CONTACT & MORE INFO

For questions or more details, please reach out to us at theatreforhopeandhealing@gmail.com. Check out our Linktree or visit our website for more information about Theatre for Hope and Healing.


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