Grand Theatre Audition Notice
The Importance of Being Earnest

The Grand Theatre operates on the traditional lands and territories of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapewak. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work and tell stories together.
 

OUR COMMITTMENT

At the Grand we are committed to creating and practicing a company culture that ensures an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space for artists, audiences, donors, board members, and staff. We actively encourage submissions from artists who self-identify as being part of underserved communities. It is our mission to reflect the diversity of our community on and off our stages. If you can imagine yourself in the role, then so can we!

Access and inclusion are important to us. If you have any questions regarding the Grand’s accessibility policies and initiatives, or any requests, we encourage you to reach out to Vanessa Spence, Associate Producer & Company Manager, at vspence [at] grandtheatre.com (vspence[at]grandtheatre[dot]com).
 

THE PROJECT

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Written By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Alistair Newton

Meet Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, two close friends who have one solution to all of their problems—lying!

Both lead double lives: Jack uses the fake persona of 'Ernest' to escape his responsibilities, while Algernon invents an imaginary friend to dodge social obligations. But when both men fall in love with eligible ladies, they must untangle a web of lies, misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and hilarious situations to win their hearts. Will they be able to keep up the ruse? 

Considered one of Wilde’s best works, The Importance of Being Earnest is a guaranteed laugh-out-loud chaos of troubles and mix-ups from start to finish. With its clever humour and playful commentary of Victorian society, the play has remained a staple for over a century.
 

PRODUCTION DATES

Rehearsal Starts: February 24, 2026
First Preview: March 24, 2026
Opening: March 27, 2026
Closing: April 12, 2026
 

AUDITION DATES

Audition days are scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025 & Tuesday May 13, 2025 in Toronto.
 

AVAILABLE ROLES 

JOHN WORTHING: 29, a bachelor and country gentleman who takes any opportunity to escape his responsibilities as Jack in the country by pretending to be Ernest in the city.

ALGERNON MONCRIEFF: 20s-30, an utterly utter aesthete whose wit is as sharp as a stiletto. A friend of Jack’s (who he knows as Ernest).

LADY BRACKNELL: 50s-60, Gwendolen’s mother and Algernon’s aunt. Believes herself to be a strict follower of society's rules but actually sets them herself.

GWENDOLYN FAIRFAX: 20s-30, sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and highly strung (remember who raised her).

CECILY CARDEW: 18, dreamy and romantic; a Pre-Raphaelite beauty, but with a few sharp edges. Jack’s ward.

MISS PRISM: late 40s-60, Cecily’s puritanical governess, and a secret Romantic.

REVEREND CANON CHASUBLE: 40s-60. The rector on Jack’s estate, and (possibly) a secret Catholic. Doubles with LANE.

LANE: Algernon’s servant. Doubles with CHASUBLE.

LADY STELLA CLINTON, STAR OF THE STRAND: Age flexible. Male-identifying, trans-femme, or non-binary. Historical Victorian music hall performer and pioneering drag queen who stood trial 24 years before Wilde. Drag and musical theatre experience essential. Doubles with MERRIMAN.

MERRIMAN: John’s butler. Doubles with LADY STELLA CLINTON.
 

Please note:

• We are only looking to cast 10 roles over 8 actors. The roles of REVEREND CANON CHASUBLE and LANE will be doubled, and the roles of LADY STELLA CLINTON and MERRIMAN will be doubled.
• A comfortable singing voice is an asset as there will be an ensemble song at the end of the show.
   

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Please submit a resume and headshot for consideration through our form located here https://forms.gle/s7YfcS9U7wu611mJ6 or via Casting Workbook. Please only submit once. Email submission will not be considered. Priority will be given to Equity artists and they will be seen first on the audition days.

The deadline for submissions to be received is SUNDAY, APRIL 27 AT MIDNIGHT.