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 artistically directed 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 one to 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. There will be no choreographer and/or choreography for this show.
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 is a powerful dramedy about a woman rebuilding herself and her family after her abusive husband dies. Her family of three adult kids (Alex, oldest; Robert, middle child; Steph, youngest) and her minister Norah come together at his funeral to see just how distant and distrustful they’ve become. But as each person finds the strength to deal with their life challenges and past traumas, they also find ways to communicate through both conflict and subtle ways of helping each other. The story is set in 2010, partly in the country and partly in the nearby city, as progressive values are seemingly starting to permeate society. They discover that they need each other to counter homophobia, transphobia, substance abuse, and intimate-partner abuse that they struggle with. Combining emotional ballads and energetic ensemble pieces, this story honours the lives of beautiful, but flawed characters, just like you and me, and offers hope to move past our lonely solitudes for a better, new life surrounded by loved ones who drive us crazy.
Characters
More information about the characters and their backstories can be found here.
Please Note: Each performer will receive an honorarium of $750 plus a profit share portion.
MAIN CAST ROLES
- MOM (MARY SMITH): Female, about 60, Mezzo Soprano (Range: F5-F5) – An avid reader, who loves her children and values social justice, but has low self-confidence due to years of being in an abusive relationship, but finds her personality, strength, and determination.
- WIFE/BARTENDER (Ensemble): Female, about 30 – Spouse of Robert who puts him down and constantly complains. Also, as a different character, an empathetic bartender in a gay bar.
- MILDRED (Ensemble): Female, about 70 – An elderly and bigoted member of the church who doesn’t accept LGBTQ+ individuals or inclusive values.
- GERALD (Ensemble): Male, about 45 – Son of Mildred, and acts like an ignorant and misogynist man. He lives unemployed in his mom’s basement, but later works as a barista and picks up guys at a gay bar.
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) – An avid reader, who loves her children and values social justice, but has low self-confidence due to years of being in an abusive relationship, but finds her personality, strength, and determination.
- ALEX (ALEXANDRA): Female, 32, Alto (Range: F3-G5+) – Oldest daughter with misplaced anger, is lost and abused; but once safe, discovers that she is seeking joy and new experiences.
- ROBBIE (ROBERT): Male, 30, Baritone (Range: A2-F4) – Middle child, a bit awkward, struggles with need to maintain tradition and to do what’s right.
- STEPH (STEPHANIE): Female, 27, Mezzo Soprano (Range: G3-G5+) – Youngest child with addiction problems, who cracks jokes to deflect emotion, is most cynical about the value of family.
- NORAH: Trans Female, 30-35, Tenor (Range: C3 to A4) – A nature-loving church minister, who seeks to make the world a better place by helping others, even when she loses her job due to bigotry.
Lost Baggage Musical Theatre 