Walterdale Theatre Associates presents
This is War
Hannah Moscovitch
Performance Dates: February 4th – 14th, 2026
Director: Shawn Marshall
Auditions: October 18th – 19th, 2025
Callbacks: October 20th, 2025
Walterdale Theatre (10322 83 Avenue NW)
Synopsis: This Is War is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Master Corporal Tanya Young, Captain Stephen Hughes, Private Jonny Henderson, and Sergeant Chris Anders lived through a violent, botched mission while stationed in one of the most violent and war-torn sections of the Afghanistan War. Told through their separate accounts to an unseen broadcasting corporation, the truth isn’t always as simple as it seems as a picture is formed, painted by guilt, PTSD, nationalism and violence. Hannah Moscovitch’s Trillium Book Award-winning play is an unapologetic look into what soldiers endure and what civilians can oftentimes not see.
Characters:
Master Corporal Tanya Young (late 20s-30s, female or female presenting, any ethnicity)
A strong, athletic woman who has survived being in the military by not being afraid of anyone. Headstrong, intelligent and generally unflinching, Tanya’s aggression helps her try to navigate the ever-evolving complications of war, whether for better or worse.
Private Jonny Henderson (20s, male or male presenting, any ethnicity)
A freshman in the world of war, eager and boisterous on the outside, but it’s a mask for a bouquet of insecurities. Internally, he is lost, confused and without any direction. When he finds any semblance of positivity, he gravitates to it with all he has.
Sergeant Stephen Hughes (early 30s to mid 40s, male or male presenting, any ethnicity)
A loud, confident, sometimes brash leader who is navigating the duality of perception vs reality. He loves every person under his command. Safety and loyalty mean a lot to him, but he gets in his own way when trying to consistently enforce them.
Sergeant Chris Anders (early 30s to late 40s, male or male presenting, LGBTQ2s+, any ethnicity)
Quiet, reserved, and resolved, Chris Anders is a beacon for confidentiality. These traits make him very trustworthy, always playing the role of a therapist while performing his required duties as the company’s medic. He knows everything about everyone and that burden drags him under the waves as his own insecurities try to remain hidden, as a homosexual male in a very machismo world. This role will be reserved for someone from the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Audition and Rehearsal Requirements:
To book an audition slot with our Production Manager, Afrah Collier-Potts, please use this link (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0545A8AD2FA6FAC52-59059658-this#/), which includes all dates and times: Walterdale Theatre: This is War Auditions. Auditions will be in-person at the theatre.
Please prepare a 2-minute monologue of any genre and any time period.
Auditioners will also be reading sides from the stage play with one another. For anyone who has booked an audition slot, Afrah will email the audition sides in advance of the auditions. Drop-ins are welcome, as are pre-recorded auditions as a backup to anyone who cannot make the in-person auditions. For pre-recordings, please email Shawn Marshall to make arrangements: [email protected].
Rehearsals will begin in November and will initially take place on Sundays, as well as two weekday evenings per week, depending on availability. Rehearsals could increase to four per week, starting in January.
Please bring potential rehearsal conflict dates to the auditions. Headshots and resumes are highly recommended but not required.
Copies of the script may be available through the Theatre Alberta library.
Walterdale Theatre Associates is committed to inclusive casting. Artists who are members of underrepresented communities are greatly encouraged to audition.
Walterdale Theatre Associates is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.
