OPEN CALL AUDITION: Jane Eyre - July 25, 2026 (N.B. Change of date)

Ottawa Little Theatre presents

Jane Eyre
Written by: Erin Shields based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë

Directed by: Lindsay Laviolette

Production Dates:
October 28 – November 14, 2026 at 7:30 pm (Wednesdays – Saturdays) and matinees on November 1 & 8 at 2:30 pm (Sundays)
All actors must be available for all performances. 

Open Call Audition:
Auditions will be held on: Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 1:00pm. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out your audition card – onstage readings will commence at 1:00pm sharp. Callbacks actors invited back for a second audition will take place on Monday, July 27th at 7:00pm. 

Audition Location:
Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)

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.

About the Production:

This production is an adaptation of the classic novel. Rather than presenting a traditional literary story, the production uses movement, ensemble storytelling, and a highly representational environment to explore Jane’s emotional and psychological journey. If you are looking for your traditional Jane Eyre, you’ve come to the wrong place. 

In this adaptation, actors will work collaboratively to bring multiple locations, memories, and characters to life through movement and transformation rather than realism. The ensemble will remain an active presence through many scenes in the play. Many male characters, with the exception of Rochester and St. John, can and may be played by female-presenting actors who can transform into a male-presenting character through physicality, presence, and voice.

This production will take place on a large, multi-level representational structure requiring actors to climb ramps, ladders, stairs, and platforms throughout the performance.

Audition Preparation: 

  • Actors may be asked to read for multiple roles, and readings of sides will be at the discretion of the director. 
  • Prepare for ensemble improvisational and movement work as part of the audition. 
  • The best preparation will come from being familiar with the characters and relationships in the classic text as a launching point for our storytelling piece. 
  • Please wear footwear and clothing that is supportive of comfortable movement. 
  • Actors should be comfortable exploring multiple contrasting characters during the audition process. Those auditioning for a specific role may be asked to read for other characters as part of assessing range and versatility. 

PLEASE FILL-OUT THE FOLLOWING EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM (click here) if you are interested in attending general auditions. This is considered an expression of an interest and will help us prepare for the audition day. You will be asked for more information regarding experience, training, etc. at the audition. 

Character Descriptions & Audition Sides:

We are seeking imaginative storytellers who are comfortable with physical theatre and playing multiple roles. We are looking to cast approximately 11-15 actors in total.  Some roles will not be doubled. 

Performers of all backgrounds, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, abilities, and experience are encouraged to audition. 

Important Notes: 

  • Youth and Adolescent Roles: Performers of any age who feel they can embody younger characters are encouraged to audition. Youth performers and young adult performers will both be considered for the child and adolescent aged roles. 
  • Accents are considered an asset, but are not a requirement at this time. 
  • Audition Sides: familiarity with the sides is important, however memorization of sides will not be considered an asset. 

Principal and Supporting Roles:

  • Jane Eyre
    • Female-presenting (20-30 years of age) 
    • Central protagonist. Intelligent, observant, resilient. Strong stage presence, conviction, and imagination. Exceptional emotional range and comfort with movement (up and down ladders, ramps, stairs) required. 
    • Physical romantic touch and stage kiss required as part of this role. 
  • Edward Rochester
    • Male-presenting (30-50 years of age)
    • Brooding Master of Thornfield Hall. Charismatic, complex, emotionally guarded. Balances humour, vulnerability, and intensity. Comfort with physical theatre and movement is an asset.
    • Physical romantic touch and stage kiss required as part of this role. 
  • Young Jane
    • Female-presenting (appears approx. 10-16 years of age)
    • Represents Jane’s childhood self and inner memory throughout the play. Strong physical storytelling and emotional honesty required. Sings a repeated verse throughout the show. 
    • Singing ability will be considered an asset. Youth and adult performers are welcome to audition. 
  • Mrs. Reed
    • Female-Presenting (35-60 years of age) 
    • Jane’s Aunt. Controlling, proud, firm, absolutely convinced she is acting justly. Re-appears throughout the show as part of Jane’s inner narrative. 
  • Helen Burns
    • Female-Presenting (appears 13-20 years of age) 
    • Jane’s closest childhood friend. Intelligent, wise beyond her years, compassionate, resilient, gentle. Re-appears throughout the show as part of Jane’s inner narrative.
  • Miss Temple
    • Female-Presenting (25-45 years of age) 
    • Respected teacher at Lowood School. Intelligent, compassionate, quietly authoritative. Competent. 
  • Mr. Brocklehurst
    • Male-Presenting (40-65 years of age) 
    • Headmaster of Lowood School. Commanding, authoritative, unwavering certainty, devoutly religious and upright. 
    • This role may also be played by a female. 
  • Mrs. Fairfax
    • Female-Presenting (50-70 years of age) 
    • Housekeeper at Thornfield Hall.  Warm, practical, caring, and quietly witty. 
  • St. John Rivers (NB: pronounced “Sin-Jin”)
    • Male Presenting (25-40 years of age)
    • A Clergyman. Deeply committed to duty, intelligent, controlled. Deep conviction which challenges Jane in profound ways. Quietly intense with a moral conviction and emotional restraint. 
  • Grace Poole
    • Female-Presenting (35-65 years old)
    • A long-serving employee of Thornfield hall. Reserved, observant, and quietly unsettling. Keeper of a closely guarded secret.
  • Bessie
    • Female-Presenting  (20-40 years of age)
    • Jane’s nursemaid at Gateshead. Practical, Affectionate, Compassionate and spirited. One of the first people to offer Jane genuine affection and belonging.
  • ADDITIONAL FEATURED AND ENSEMBLE ROLES
    • Additional featured and ensemble roles including Adele, Richard Mason, Miss Ingram, Diana, Mary, Rosamond, Hannah, members of the Reed family and others will be cast from the general audition process. Actors may be asked to read for multiple roles at the director’s discretion. Audition sides for these roles will not be provided as part of the formal audition.

Audition Sides to follow. Audition text to be based on dialogue extracted from the classic novel text and not the play itself.