Auditions (Edmonton): Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado – Foote in the Door Productions, Theater News

Foote in the Door Presents a new adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado at Theatre Servus Credit Union, La Cite Francophone. Foote in the Door Productions (FDP) is an independently owned, Edmonton based, not for profit musical theatre company founded in 2013.

Music and Lyrics by Gilbert and Sullivan

This is a new adaptation of The Mikado by Japanese-Canadian playwright R.A Shiomi, first presented in 2019. Foote in the Door will premiere this version November 13-22, 2026.

Foote in the Door believes in open casting and supporting a diverse production environment with the philosophy that art should reflect the diversity of the communities in which we live. We encourage auditions from artists who self-identify as members of under-represented communities. We cannot engage equity members. All performers are unpaid. Auditions are open to all individuals 18+.

We will have evening technical rehearsals from November 8-12, 2026 and performances from November 13-22, 2026. There are matinees on November 15 and 22, while November 16, 17, 19 are dark.

We strongly suggest that you familiarize yourself with the music from the show.

Audition times:

Sunday June 28 1:00-4:00pm

Monday June 29 6:00-9:00pm

If you cannot attend these dates, please submit your resume/headshot to [email protected]. Individuals may be contacted for video auditions for submission prior to June 28.

Audition Location:
Foote in the Door Rehearsal Space, 2nd Floor (17523-107 avenue NW). Access to the building is on the side road, a sign will be on the door.

Callbacks:
Monday, July 6, 6-9pm. Not all individuals will be required to attend, those required will be contacted individually by Tuesday June 30.

Rehearsals:
Tuesday and Wednesday 7-10 pm, Sunday afternoons 1:00 to 5:00 pm

Rehearsals will start the week of August 30. There are no rehearsals on Labour Day or Thanksgiving weekend.

Production Personnel:

Director: Russ Farmer

Music Direction: Ivy Ling, Ruth Wong-Miller

Choreography: Julia Stanski

Stage Manager: Katrina Morel

Assistant Director: Kit Kroeker

What to expect: You will be asked to sing a prepared song from the Gilbert and Sullivan/operetta genre Please prepare a cut of the song no longer than 2-3 minutes. There will also be cold reads from the script.

What to Bring:
1) Please prepare a song as indicated above
2) Please have the song memorized and have your song performance ready (i.e. tell the story, don’t just sing the song).
3) We will accept either sheet music to be used by our accompanist or voiceless tracks on mp3/iPhone.
4) Please send your planned music, a headshot and resume in advance to [email protected].
5) NO ACAPELLA SONGS, PLEASE

About the Show

Synopsis
The story centers on Franki-Poo, the son of the King of England, who has fled his father’s court to avoid marrying Katy Shaw, a much older woman. Disguised as a wandering musician, he seeks to reunite with his true love, Tum-Tum, the young ward of Co-Co. Co-Co is a tailor who has recently been appointed Lord High Executioner of Ti-Tea-Pu. Franki-Poo’s dreams are dashed when he discovers that Tum-Tum has already been betrothed to Co-Co. As the plot unfolds, misunderstandings, romantic entanglements, and comedic twists highlight the absurdities of bureaucracy, the folly of arbitrary laws, and the triumph of love. The operetta’s blend of satire and catchy musical numbers has contributed to its enduring popularity.

Roles

Franki-Poo (Tenor) Romantic lead. The son of the Mikado, who has fled the royal court to escape marriage to Katy Shaw. Comes to Ti-Tea-Pu disguised as a wandering minstrel. In love with Tum-Tum. (Eb4–A4)

Co-Co (Baritone) A cheap tailor who becomes the Lord High Executioner of the town of Ti-Tea-Pu. Enjoys the status of his position, but not the responsibilities. Guardian of Tum-Tum and her sisters and also engaged to Tum-Tum (G3-E4)

Pooh-Bah (Baritone) Ti-Tea-Pu’s Lord High Everything. Extremely pompous and self-serving with an extraordinary sense of entitlement. (G3–Eb4)

Katy Shaw (Contralto) A mature lady in love with Franki-Poo and determined to get him back at any cost. A larger than life personality. (G#3–F5)

Patti Sing (Mezzo-Soprano) A Ward of Co-Co and sister of Tum-Tum and Bo Peep. Bold, irreverent, and cheeky. (E3-F5)

Bow Peep (Mezzo-Soprano) A ward of Co-Co and sister of Tum-Tum and Patti Sing. Outspoken and blunt. (D4-D5)

Chris Tush (Baritone) A noble lord of Ti-Tea-Pu. Obeys the rules and encourages others to do the same. (F3-E4)

Chorus Schoolgirls, Nobles and Townspeople of Ti-Tea-Pu

*The roles of Tum-Tum and The Mikado have been cast prior to this process.