AUDITION: Death of a Salesman - May 9, 2026
Ottawa Little Theatre presents
Death of a Salesman
Written by: Arthur Miller
Directed by: Joanne Farrell
Production Dates:
August 19 – September 5, 2026 at 7:30 pm (Wednesdays – Saturdays) and matinees on August 23 & 30 at 2:30 pm (Sundays)
All actors must be available for all performances.
Audition:
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – readings will commence in the rehearsal hall at 1:00pm sharp.
NOTE: Auditions will be staggered per the sides attached. See schedule at bottom of page.
Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use the front door (on King Edward Avenue) when entering the building and you will be shown to the rehearsal hall where auditions will be held. )
Backstage Orientation:
Simultaneously with the audition, A BACKSTAGE ORIENTATION and tour of the theatre will be offered by a member of the Volunteer Committee for anyone interested in working behind the scenes on any future production. Descriptions of each of the various Volunteer Positions can be found in the Volunteer section of this website.
Synopsis:
Set in 1949, the story revolves around Willy Loman’s final 24 hours as he loses his job and cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his misguided quest for love and success kept him blind to the people who truly loved him.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning tragedy, still widely considered to be the greatest play of the 20th century, with five Broadway productions and ten screen adaptations, finally comes to the OLT stage.
Character Descriptions & Audition Sides:
N.B. The role of Willy Loman was cast at an earlier open audition held in November.
Linda Loman (60ish): Willy’s wife. She is his champion and takes it upon herself to reconcile her family. She will protect Willy at all costs, even if it perpetuates his fantasies and contradictory nature.
Biff Loman (30ish): The Loman’s older son. Biff has been estranged from Willy for over 15 years, during which time he has not been able to hold a steady job. Biff is the only member of the family who knows about Willy’s affair for which he bitterly resents his father.
Happy Loman (30ish): The Lomans’ younger son. Happy is a shallow womanizer driven by his need for validation. He works as an assistant but exaggerates his position and his authority.
Charley (60-70ish): A long-time neighbour and friend of the Lomans. He provides Willy with a weekly loan after Willy is placed on straight commission, and he repeatedly offers him a job. Charley is a true friend even though Willy is jealous of him. Charley appears in Willy’s memories, as well as in actions of the past and present.
Uncle Ben (60-70ish): Willy’s older brother. He made a fortune in the African jungle by the time he was 21. He once offered Willy a job in Alaska. Ben appears in the play only in Willy’s memories and fantasies.
Bernard (30ish): Charley’s son. He provided Biff with answers while they were in high school and attempted to help Biff study so he could graduate, even though Willy and Biff would criticize him. He becomes a successful lawyer. Bernard appears in Willy’s memories, as well as in the present.
The Woman (30-50ish): Willy’s former lover, with whom he had an affair many years ago in Boston. She appears only in Willy’s memories and fantasies; however, as the play progresses Willy has difficulty distinguishing between his memories of the Woman and his memories of Linda.
Howard Wagner (40-50ish): Willy’s current boss. He put Willy on a straight commission prior to the play’s beginning, and later fires him. Howard is a businessman, unaffected by the facts that Willy worked for his father and named him as a child.
Jenny (20-40ish): Charley’s secretary.
Stanley (35-55ish): A waiter.
Miss Forsythe and Letta (30ish): Two women that Happy and Biff pick up at the restaurant.
Click the links below to see the scenes that will be used at the audition. Physical copies of each side will also be available at the audition. Memorizing the sides is not encouraged.
Side 1 – Linda
Side 2 – Biff and Happy
Side 3 – Bernard
Side 4 – Howard
Side 5 – Charley and Uncle Ben
Side 6 – The Woman (96-97)
Side 7 – The Woman (99-100)
Side 8 – Stanley
Side 9 – Miss Forsthye
Side 10 – Letta
Please review these pages for whatever character you plan to audition for:
- 1:00-1:30 p.m. – Linda: p. 44,45,46,47
- 1:30-2:00 p.m. – Biff and Happy: p.15,16,17
- 2:00-2:30 p.m. – Bernard: p.78
- 2:30-3:00 p.m. – Howard: p. 64 and p. 69
- 3:00-3:30 p.m. – Charley and Uncle Ben: p.33-39
- 3:30-4:00 p.m. – The Woman: p.96-97 & 99-100 (The Woman will also play Jenny)
- 4:00-4:30 p.m. – Stanley: p.101-102 Miss Forsthye: p.84-86, Letta: p.94-96
If you have questions, please contact Joanne Farrell at farrellj@champlain.edu