Audition Call

The Buddhist of Castleknock, by Jim O'Hanlon

A full-length comedy

Directed by: Maureen Dorey-Lukie 

Submission Deadline: July 13, 2026

Auditions: in person July 14 and 15, 7-10 p.m.
Callback: in person July 18, 1-4 p.m., by invitation only.

Performance Dates: in-person October 15-October 31, 2026, at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street.

Rehearsals:  Begin August 4, with two weekday evening and one weekend rehearsal until Tech week, Oct. 11-14, 2026, at 2452 Danforth Avenue near Main Station.

Description: 
The play takes place during Christmas time in a Castleknock, Dublin home. Edie is delighted to have her family reunited for the occasion and is determined to celebrate in a traditional manner, but other family members have alternative views on how the holiday should be celebrated. Edie is just about coping until she discovers that one of her sons, who has returned from London with a black girlfriend, has become a Buddhist and prefers to meditate in his room than eat the lovingly prepared turkey. The play explores how the intrusion of one stranger into the ritual of Christmas can challenge a family's cozy sense of who they are and lead to the hidden cancer of unspoken family secrets finally having to be addressed. It depicts the thin veneer of unconscious racism within people whose outwardly comfortable lives allowed them the luxury of never having to confront such prejudices before.

Roles and requirements:

1. • RAI - Female-presenting, 26, Black, British/English woman (this is a requirement of the role). The Buddhist girlfriend of John, Rai's presence shakes up the family and their traditions, and she has a lot to say. Intelligent, diplomatic and honest. Offstage, the character also suffers a severe trauma that impacts everyone before and upon her return;
   • DJ (real name Julian) – Male-presenting, 15, unruly wannabe rapper, mad about Hilfiger jeans and motor-scooters and mad at the world;
   • EDIE – Female-presenting, early 50’s, a precise, well-spoken woman, desperate to have a perfect family Christmas; presentation means a lot;
   • SEAN – Male-presenting, 55-60’s, Edie’s husband, relaxed and easy demeanour that may come from letting his wife do the worrying;
   • TARA – Female-presenting, 30, home for Christmas from a crumbling marriage, self-medicating with alcohol that does not improve her people skills;
   • EDWARD – Male-presenting, late 20’s, confident, the family trickster, always ready to make a joke but also self-aware;
   • JOHN – Male-presenting, 25-26, more open to life outside family traditions, new to Buddhism, looking to forge his own path.
   • UNCLE JIMMY – Male-presenting, 55-60’s; jovial, good-humoured, but not inclined to listen;
   • AUNTIE KATHLEEN – Female-presenting, 50’s, Edie’s older sister, long-suffering but not without humour or intelligence, suspicious of outsiders. 

To book an audition, email TIP at [email protected].

Indicate your preferred audition date, time and principal characters for whom you wish to audition. Attach a resumé and recent headshot/photo if you have one. (There will be a form provided at the audition, as well).

If the director does not know your work, for the first audition, prepare a monologue (comedic or dramatic) of 90 seconds to 2 minutes maximum. Be ready to be redirected after you present your monologue. Read the script before you audition as it will make the style and content of the play clearer. Soft copies of the script will be made when you book the audition. Sides will be sent if you are invited to the callback.  

Irish or English accents are not required for the audition process but will be required for performance.

Non-equity, non-paying. Toronto Irish Players is committed to diversity, and encourages performers of all ethnicities, genders and ages to attend every audition.

Produced by special arrangement with The Partnership Group.