PAW-DITION NOTICE
Walterdale Theatre Associates
Shakespeare in Love
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Music by Paddy Cunneen
Onstage: July 9-19, 2025
Director: Anne Marie Szucs
Stage Manager: Samantha McCabe
Audition Location: Walterdale Theatre, 10322 83 Avenue, Edmonton
Audition Date: Sunday, June 1, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Overview:
Walterdale Theatre is currently in rehearsal with Shakespeare in Love – an imaginary retelling of Shakespeare’s life in Elizabethan England. The script uses a dog in three short scenes in the play.
We are looking to cast two dogs to use in this production (for alternate performances). Stage time is minimal, but all dog “bits” onstage will be in conjunction with the dog’s handler.
Rehearsal and Production Schedule:
Rehearsals are already occurring, but dog actors will be incorporated in a rehearsal on June 7th at 1:00pm. Then, there will be a bit of a break for the dogs, before June 25th, when the dogs and handlers will start to be regularly called to rehearsals. At that time, we will rehearse almost daily until the performance run. You will need to be fully available for tech week (June 29 to July 8) and the run of the show (July 9 to 19). This is a complex, fast-moving play with a large cast.
Casting Requirements:
The production is seeking two dogs with previous stage experience. All breeds and sizes are encouraged for auditions. The dog’s handler will be in the cast’s ensemble, so they can be onstage whenever the dog is. The casting call is for two dogs who can ideally handle being off-leash when onstage, plus their handlers. The cast size is 23 and the audience house size is 140, so the dog must be comfortable performing around those group sizes. They must be comfortable around movement and noise. Also, the theatre has a thrust stage, which the audience is within arm’s reach of. Performance times will go late into the evening (10:30pm, possibly), plus one afternoon performance on a Sunday (July 13th). During performances, you must bring a crate for the dog, which will be stationed in an isolated space for the dog backstage (the theatre’s second floor). Other necessary items can also be brought and placed in the isolated space for the dog.
Audition Expectations:
Your dog will be auditioning with a small group of other canine actors. You will be provided with a copy of the dog scenes before the audition. Your dog will be expected to do the following in this role: prepare pre-show with cast; fail to jump on command; enter and exit stage with actor (and handler); “cause problems” in acting scene (run around); run onstage and jump on an actor, knocking them over; etc.
To book an audition, please email John Anderson, Assistant Director, at [email protected]. You will receive confirmation of your time slot, access to dog scenes, and a link to a Google form for you to provide us with more information on you and your dog’s experience and availability for this production.
