General Information
LBMT is looking to cast New Life, a brand new, original musical. The show will be presented from September 23-26, 2026 for five performances at Gladstone Theatre, including one understudy show. New Life will be directed and choreographed by Susan Blyth-Schofield and musically directed by James McGowan, who is also the author and composer. We are looking to cast four roles in the main cast and four swings/understudies.
Workshop rehearsals will begin in May 2026 and regular rehearsals will begin in June. All rehearsals will either be held at Lost Baggage Musical Theatre (480 Avalon Place) or Carleton University (1125 Colonel By Drive). We plan on holding weekly rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday mornings.
Audition Information
Dates and Times:
- Saturday, February 21: 3:00, 4:00, 5:00pm
All auditions will be taking place at Riverview School Of Music (480 Avalon Place). If you are not available the audition dates but would like to still audition, please select “Not Available/Video Audition” on the audition form. We will contact you to make alternate arrangements for a video audition.
Please prepare 32 bars (one or two minutes) of a musical theatre song that fits the style of the show and best demonstrates your vocal abilities. The show is classified as “Jazz Rock”, and it is preferable that you prepare a song from the twenty-first century. Please come prepared with sheet music so our pianist will be able to provide you with piano accompaniment.
You will receive a short scene that you will be asked to read during your audition (it will be a cold read). You may be given further instruction about the scene by the director at your audition. Please come around 15 minutes early to your audition time to look over the sides. Please Note: You do not need to memorize the scene.
A dance/movement segment of the audition will NOT be required.
A session of callback auditions may be held at the discretion of the artistic team and may only require certain individuals. Callbacks are not an indication of whether you will be cast in the show or if you are up for receiving a specific role in the production.
Please submit the audition application at the bottom of the page, if you would like to audition for the show. Because of some mature content in the show, we will only be casting those who are at least 18 years of age.
Show Synopsis
This jazz-rock musical, set in 2010, is a story about a woman rebuilding herself and her family after her abusive husband dies. Her family of three adult kids (Alexandra (Alex), oldest; Robert (Robbie), middle child; Stephanie (Steph), youngest) and her minister each bring lots of baggage on this trip. The story is set partly in the country and partly in the city, which is about one-to-two hours away. The story tackles topics of intimate-partner abuse, child abuse, family dysfunction, alcoholism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, cultural differences between rural and urban life, tradition vs. change, personal growth, spiritual faith, and the Easter resurrection analogy.
Characters
MAIN CAST ROLES
- …
More information about the characters and their backstories can be found here.
SWING/UNDERSTUDY ROLES
Swings/Understudies may be cast in more than one role and may be used as ensemble in the show.
- MOM (MARY SMITH): Female, about 60, Mezzo Soprano (Range: F5-F5) –
- ALEX (ALEXANDRA): Female, 32, Alto (Range: F3-G5+) –
- ROBBIE (ROBERT): Male, 30, Baritone (Range: A2-F4) –
- STEPH (STEPHANIE): Female, 27, Mezzo Soprano (Range: G3-G5+) –
- NORAH: Trans Female, 30-35, Tenor (Range: C3 to A4) –
- WIFE/BARTENDER (Ensemble): Female, about 30 –
- MILDRED (Ensemble): Female, About 70 – Church Gossip
- GERALD (Ensemble): Male, About 45 – Mildred’s Son.
Please Note: Each performer will receive an honorarium of $750 plus a profit share portion.
Lost Baggage Musical Theatre 