OPEN CALL AUDITION: For the Better (EODL One-Act)- August 23, 2025
Ottawa Little Theatre presents
For the Better
By Camheron Mulhern
Winner, OLT’s 84th Annual National One-Act Playwriting Competition – Sybil Cooke Award
Directed by: Karine Charland
Open Call Audition:
Auditions will be held on:
Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 1:00 pm.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition form. We will start on time.
Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre (OLT)
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)
Production Dates:
Preview @ OLT – Saturday, October 25, 2025
Performance @ Merrickville Community Centre – Fri-Sun November 7-9, 2025 (time slot TBD)
*This production is OLT’s entry into the East Ontario Drama League (EODL)’s annual one-act play festival for 2025.
Time Commitments:
All actors must be available for preview and performance dates (see production dates above) and able to travel to and from Merrickville between November 7-9 at their own expense. Overnight accommodation may not be available.
We will be rehearsing at OLT as follows:
- From August 30-October 11 – Saturday afternoons
- From October 12-November 6 – Saturday afternoons, Sundays (afternoon or evening TBC), and Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings
Those auditioning will have to declare their availability at auditions. Once the rehearsal schedule is set, accounting for any declared absences, each cast member must commit to attending all rehearsals, within reason.
Synopsis:
Tegan, April, and Rayman are best friends in their last year of high school. And they’re starting to feel the pressure: from school exams to blossoming love, their future and friendships will be tested. Enter fear, doubt, and conflicting advice from their entourage – some well-intentioned, some less so.
A heartfelt, high energy, coming of age dramedy that explores the blurred boundaries between reality and the inner workings of our minds and hearts.
Character Descriptions:
Character genders and ages are based on the script – all actors are welcome to audition. Some actors will play multiple roles, as described below – exact doublings will be determined after auditions.
- TEGAN – male presenting, late teens (they/them pronouns)
A 12th grade high school student, they care deeply about their friends but sometimes let their fears get the better of them. They are best friends with April and Rayman. They may be in love with April. - APRIL – female presenting, late teens
A 12th grade high school student, funny, and down to earth. She is best friends with Tegan and Rayman and tries to keep them both grounded. She may be in love with one of them. - RAYMAN – male presenting, late teens
A 12th grade high school student, and a stressed-out overachiever. He is best friends with Tegan and April. He may be in love with April. The actor playing Rayman might double as one of the fears (see description below). - MR. L – male presenting, 43 years old
A pretty chill high school teacher, for a middle-aged guy – but for his dreaded exams. The actor playing Mr. L might double as one of the fears (see description below). - RACHEL – female presenting, early 20s
Tegan’s older sister. She teases them relentlessly but loves and supports them. She is in a live-in, romantic relationship with Connie. The actor playing Rachel will double as one of the fears, and as either Claire or May (see descriptions below). - CONNIE – female presenting, early 20s
Tegan’s sister-in-law. She teases them relentlessly but has a nurturing side. She is in a live-in, romantic relationship with Rachel. The actor playing Connie will double as one of the fears, and as either Claire or May (see descriptions below). - CLAIRE – female presenting, late teens
A 12th grade high school student, outgoing, with over-the-top ideas. She is friends with April and May. The actor playing Claire will double as one of the fears, and as either Rachel or Connie (see descriptions above and below). - MAY – female presenting, late teens
A 12th grade high school student, overly studious, she gives good counsel. She is friends with April and Claire. The actor playing May will double as one of the fears, and as either Rachel or Connie (see descriptions above and below). - FEARS 1, 2, 3 – ageless, genderless
Surreal, hypnotic, taunting creatures that represent Tegan’s inner fears and seek to influence Tegan’s decisions. The actors playing the three fears will also double as Rachel, Connie, and either Rayman or Mr. L (see descriptions above).
Click on the links below to see the play excerpts that will be used at the audition. Physical copies will be available at the audition.
Side 1 – Tegan, April, Rayman, Mr. L