Come From Away square logoWalter M. Mayes, Artistic Director of South Bay Musical Theatre, announces auditions for

COME FROM AWAY

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Performing January 23 – February 13, 2027 (with a possible extension to February 20)

  • Director: Chris Reber
  • Musical Staging: Lee Ann Payne
  • Vocal Director: Diane Milo
  • Music Director: D. Asa Stern
  • Stage Manager: Quentin Tepliuk

Initial auditions will be held

Saturday, July 11 from 10 am – 7 pm & Sunday, July 12 from 4 pm – 10 pm

Audition sign-ups will be open at 1 am on Saturday, May 2.

South Bay Musical Theatre is a community-based theater organization. Please note that out of town performers are responsible for arranging their own housing & travel if cast. We do not offer payment, housing, or travel stipends for participation in our shows.

Please schedule an audition slot at: https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_comefromaway_001

SBMT Casting Commitment

South Bay Musical Theatre is actively reshaping our company to be reflective of the community it serves. We practice non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We are seeking and highly encouraging all actors to submit, regardless of race/ethnicity/caste, disability, body type, age, orientation, or gender/gender identity.

We can’t change the script or the music but are open to considering actors of any gender identity for roles of specific gender identities. The actor would need to demonstrate the capability to portray the specified character as well as sing the required range. If you wish to be considered for specific roles, please note them on your audition form.

All cast members are volunteers with a performance per diem of $250 in total.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Please prepare a monologue of 1-2 minutes in length and 32 bars of a song in the style of the show with sheet music in the correct key. No recordings or a capella, please. An accompanist will be provided. Bring a headshot, resume, conflict calendar through Feb. 20. There will be no movement call at initial auditions.

Auditions are held at 761 Mabury Rd, Suite 20, in San Jose.

Callbacks, by invitation only: Saturday and Sunday, August 1 & 2.

Rehearsals will begin on November 8 and will be held Sunday thru Thursday evenings, with appropriate breaks for Holidays. The rehearsal calendar is compact and fast-paced. Therefore, conflict calendars will be a primary consideration for casting. Only minor conflict schedules will be considered, if any. No conflicts during tech week accepted.

SUMMARY

Come From Away tells the true story of a small Newfoundland town that welcomed 38 planes and thousands of stranded travelers in the hours after 9/11. With its Tony-winning creative team, propulsive folk-inspired score, and deeply human storytelling, this extraordinary show celebrates compassion, generosity, and our shared humanity.

All roles are open:

Claude & others (Derm and Brenda’s Brother, Eddie)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 40 to 60
  • Vocal range top: G4
  • The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before.

Bonnie & others (Martha)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 30 to 40
  • Vocal range top: B4
  • A no-nonsense mother of three, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety – but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her.

Beulah & others (Delores)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 40 to 60
  • The head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her

Oz & others (Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, and Head Cardiologist)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 30 to 50
  • Vocal range top: G4
  • The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways.

Janice & others (Britney and Flight Attendant)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 20 to 30
  • Vocal range top: E5
  • An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her.

Beverley & others (Annette and Reporter)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 50 to 60
  • Vocal range top: C#5
  • The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverly Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes.

Diane & others (Crystal and Brenda)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 50 to 60
  • Vocal range top: C#5
  • Vocal range bottom: A3
  • A traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself.

Nick & others (Doug, Officer Stephenson, and Male Townsperson)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 50 to 60
  • Vocal range top: E4
  • An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.

Kevin T & others (Garth and President Bush)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 30 to 50
  • Vocal range top: G4
  • The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation.

Kevin J & others (Dwight and Ali)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 30 to 50
  • Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible.

Bob & others (Muhumuza and Captain Bristol)

  • Male Character
  • Age: 20 to 40
  • A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet – but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness.

Hannah & others (Margie and Mickey)

  • Female Character
  • Age: 40 to 60
  • Vocal range top: E5
  • The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.

KEY DATES

  • Rehearsals begin Sunday, November 8, 2026
  • Move-in Saturday, January 2, 2027 (this is a mandatory rehearsal day)
  • Open January 23, 2027
  • Close & Strike February 13, 2027, with a possible extension until Feb 20.

Questions? email: walter@southbaymt.com