Come From Away Auditions
Fremont Community Theatre in partnership with Advancing Art Association
About the Show
In the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, daily life is interrupted on September 11, 2001, when residents learn of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Soon, they are told that American airspace has closed, forcing 38 international flights to land at Gander's airport. With nearly 7,000 stranded passengers suddenly doubling the town's population, the community quickly organizes schools, shelters, food, and supplies to care for their unexpected guests.
After nearly 28 hours confined to their planes, passengers are finally brought into town, where they face fear, confusion, and uncertainty as they learn the full scope of the tragedy. Over the next five days, townspeople and passengers form unexpected friendships while navigating cultural differences, grief, and personal struggles. Individual stories emerge: romances begin, families await news of loved ones, and acts of kindness bridge divisions created by fear and suspicion in the aftermath of the attacks.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Dates & Details
Audition Dates
Sunday, June 7th
6:30 PM
Monday, June 8th
6:30 PM
Please only attend one day
Callbacks
Tuesday, June 9th
6:30 PM
Location TBD · Invitation only
Show Dates
Sep. 11, 12, 13
Sep. 18, 19, 20, 2026
Friday 7:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday 2:00 PM Matinee
Location
Fremont Community Theatre
1551 Dickinson Street
Fremont, Ohio
Phone: 419-332-0695
Tickets & Info: https://our.show/fct/comefromaway
A Note From the Director
Directed by Kaje Holthouse
Come From Away is an ensemble musical featuring 12+ dynamic singers with strong acting, movement, and dialect skills. All characters are on stage nearly the whole show with no intermission and must possess great musical timing. Each character plays 2+ parts with different backgrounds, races, dialects, and costumes.
These roles may be divided among more actors, at the director's discretion. A choral ensemble may be utilized. If you are interested in ensemble only or a single character, please notate that on your audition form.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the musical and the music/characters ahead of time.
Character Tracks
6 Male, 6 Female
The tracks may be broken out to single roles or include a full ensemble.
We encourage diversity in all roles.
| Track | Primary Role | Other Roles | Age Range | Vocal Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diane | Crystal, Brenda | Presenting 50s-60s female | Warm, natural contemporary Soprano with strong mix up to D. D5 Top |
| 2 | Hannah | Margie, Mickey | Presenting 40s-60s female | Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E. E5 Top |
| 3 | Janice | Britney, Flight Attendant | Presenting 20s female | Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and E5 Top |
| 4 | Beulah | Delores | Presenting 40s-70s female | Mezzo with belt up to B. B4 Top |
| 5 | Bonnie | Martha | Presenting 30s-50s female | Mezzo with belt up to B. B4 Top |
| 6 | Beverly | Annette, Reporter | Presenting 40s-60s female | Strong mezzo with an easy mixed or belted C#. C#5 Top |
| 7 | Oz | Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, Head Cardiologist | Presenting 30s-80s male | Strong contemporary Tenor up to G. G4 Top |
| 8 | Kevin T. | Garth, President Bush | Presenting 30s-40s male | Strong contemporary Tenor up to G. G4 Top |
| 9 | Kevin J. | Dwight, Ali | Presenting 30s-40s male | Tenor or Baritenor |
| 10 | Bob | Muhumuza, Captain Bristol | Presenting 20s-60s male | Baritone |
| 11 | Claude | Derm, Brenda's Brother, Eddie | Presenting 40s-70s male | Gruff, natural sounding Baritone with a strong high G. G4 Top |
| 12 | Nick | Doug, Officer Stephenson, Male Townperson | Presenting 50s-60s male | Warm, natural Baritone or Baritenor with an easy E and strong pop sensibility. E4 Top |
Primary Character Descriptions
Gander Townspeople – Newfoundland Accents
- Claude – Mayor of Gander, any ethnicity
- Beulah – Head of Gander Legion, any ethnicity
- Bonnie – Head of SPCA, any ethnicity
- Oz – Constable of 2 person police force, any ethnicity
- Janice – New TV Reporter, any ethnicity
Come From Aways
- Beverly – First female captain AA Pilot, any ethnicity, Texan accent
- Kevin T. – Head of environmental company in LA, creates the Pay It Forward Foundation, any ethnicity
- Kevin J. – Kevin T.'s boyfriend, sarcastic and unhappy, originally from New York, any ethnicity
- Hannah – Mother of firefighter, African American or any ethnicity, New York accent
- Bob – Suspicious New Yorker, African American or any ethnicity, New York accent
- Nick – British engineer, falls in love with Diane, any ethnicity, British accent
- Diane – Texan Divorcee, falls in love with Nick, any ethnicity, Texan accent
Others
- Doug – Air Traffic Controller in Gander, married to Bonnie (30s-40s), any ethnicity, Newfoundland accent
- Annette – Schoolteacher at Gander Academy (40s-60s), any ethnicity, Newfoundland accent
- Garth – Head of local union for Bus Drivers (30s-50s), any ethnicity, Newfoundland accent
- Ali – Egyptian who experiences isolation but connects with Beulah (30s-50s), Middle Eastern or any ethnicity, Middle Eastern accent
Audition Process
June 7th or June 8th · 6:30–9:30 PM
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Please only attend one day of auditions
Callbacks are invitation only and do not indicate casting
Evening Schedule
- 6:30 PM – Choreography
- 7:00 PM – Group Sing
Please prepare "Welcome to the Rock" M. 95-113, M. 129-138 in your preferred vocal part - 7:45 PM – Dialect Readings
Please refer to the Dialect Readings section to prepare - 8:00 PM – Soloists
Please prepare one of the soloist cuts below (choose only one for auditions). If unable to do so, please choose 16 bars of a similar song style.
After you are finished you may leave unless specifically asked to stay.
Soloist Cuts
| Character(s) | Song | Sheet Music |
|---|---|---|
| Claude, Oz | Welcome to the Rock | Download PDF ↓ |
| Hannah, Beulah | I Am Here | Download PDF ↓ |
| Kevin T., Kevin J. | Prayer | Download PDF ↓ |
| Beverly, Janice | Me and the Sky | Download PDF ↓ |
| Nick, Bob | Stop the World – Nick's Part | Download PDF ↓ |
| Diane, Bonnie | Stop the World – Diane's Part | Download PDF ↓ |
Group Sing Sheet Music: Download Group Sing Music PDF ↓
Virtual Auditions
Virtual auditions may include a recording of the "Welcome to the Rock" cut, one solo song cut, and a reading of the dialect paragraph. If you are unable to attend callbacks, please let Kaje know and we will provide you with callback material to prepare and record.
All videos must be received by June 7th, 11:59 PM to be considered.
Audition FAQ
How old or young do I need to be in order to audition?
All roles are 18+. These characters are based off real people, therefore we ask for age and gender presenting as the only requirements. The show calls for diversity and originating backgrounds (African American, Middle Eastern, Jewish, etc.) may be represented but are not requirements to audition for any role.
When are auditions?
June 7th and 8th, 2026, 6:30 PM
Where are auditions?
Fremont Community Theatre – 1551 Dickinson Street, Fremont, Ohio
Will there be callbacks?
Callbacks will be June 9th, location TBD, and you will be contacted if you are needed for callbacks. If you are not contacted it does not mean you are not cast.
What can I expect at auditions?
Please see the Audition Process section for a schedule and list of requirements.
Can I do more than one song?
Please choose one song cut to perform – but you may list as many characters as you like on your audition sheet.
How long will auditions take?
That will depend on how many people show up, but please anticipate being there 2+ hours. If you need to leave early or arrive late, please notify the director so we can make plans to accommodate you.
What should I bring to the audition?
Bring something to help you remember potential conflicts during the rehearsal time period, water, a change of shoes or clothes if coming from work, and anything else needed to make you comfortable. A headshot and resume is welcome but not necessary. Please dress comfortably with shoes you can move in.
Will you be casting understudies?
If casting an ensemble or breaking down roles, we may ask for understudies – no one will be asked to be an understudy unless already cast in the show.
Will you be casting only 12 people like in the Broadway show?
We are going to remain flexible for casting – if it works out to cast 12, 18, 24, or a full ensemble, we may. Please note any preferences on your casting sheet.
What is the rehearsal schedule like?
An example rehearsal schedule will be shown at auditions. Typically, FCT shows rehearse Sunday–Thursday in the evenings, however we will be creating the schedule based on the final cast availability. Rehearsals are set to begin the week after auditions with a lighter musical schedule in place until July 13th.
Come From Away is a complex, music-heavy show, so you are encouraged to clear your schedule as much as possible for rehearsals. Availability may impact casting decisions – but do not let that stop you from auditioning as there are many factors to consider!
When will I know if I've been cast?
You will be contacted via phone or text by June 12th. The cast list will then be posted on our website and social media pages. If you are not cast or choose not to accept an offered role, we encourage you to participate in another way or to come back for other shows!
Dialect Readings
Please prepare the dialect reading(s) relevant to the character(s) you are auditioning for.
📄 Download Dialect Readings PDF ↓
Newfoundland Accent
On the northeast tip of North America, on an island called Newfoundland, there's an airport—it used to be one of the biggest airports in the world. And next to it, is a town called Gander.
Jaysus, that's a jumbo! There's gotta be two-fifty or tree hundred on her. We got 38 planes—we got two, tree hundred people on the average…
German, French, Spanish Accents
Ladies and Gentlemen: can I have your attention? We've received word that there has been an incident in the US that will require us to make an unscheduled stop in Gander, Newfoundland.
Texan Accent
On final approach, we're coming into runway two-two, and I think, "Where am I going to park this thing?" There are planes lined up like sardines. It looks like everybody in Newfoundland is here.
New York Accent
I don't understand why they can't let us off. I mean, just to stretch our legs, I mean really? I need to get some air! Oh my god! I need to get off this plane!
British Accent
Do you mind if I sit here? I need to get some work done and there's some drunk people at the back of the plane singing at the top of their lungs. No—I just needed to get an emergency prescription filled—my medication is in my suitcase. Nothing serious. Not like, "Ohmygod, he's off his medication." I'll stop talking now.
African Accent
My family and I try to see out the bus windows. No one tells us where we are going. My wife and daughter are scared. They ask me what is happening and I do not know.
Yiddish Accent
I was born in Poland, I think. And my parents—they were Jews—they sent me here before the war started—I still remember some prayers they taught me. As a boy, I was told I should never tell anyone that I was Jewish—even my wife.
Middle Eastern Accent
Dear Miss Beulah. When my daughter asks about what happened to me over those five days, I tell her about your kindness. Thank you again. Sincerely, Ali