Casting Call
A Home for Harmony
Award-Winning Cherwell Theatre Company (CTC) are casting three actors for their upcoming early years focussed musical play ‘A Home For Harmony’ written by Renata Allen, with songs by Joshua Baldwin and directed by Tristan Jackson-Pate.
About CTC
Based in Banbury since 2004, CTC works collaboratively with young people to develop inclusive theatre projects which respond to their needs and aspirations. Communities co-design each project, whether we’re tackling violence against women through ‘Enact’ (8 short plays developed in 2023 through workshops with schools) or helping young men to
discuss anxiety through interactive ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ style game theatre (‘Sam & Zoe Vs Evermore’, toured the UK in 2022). In our 20th anniversary year, we will soon relaunch as ‘People’s Theatre Collective’. This short video introduces the company’s work.
About ‘A Home for Harmony’
In Spring and Summer 2024, CTC will develop and tour a new musical play with families and young children to help them to explore and label their emotions and to build confidence through social play. A Home for Harmony follows the story of a disabled person, Sam and their loyal assistance dog, Bouncer. Their happy home is disrupted when one day, a stray
cat, Harmony appears on their doorstep, and is welcomed into their family. This act of kindness results in Bouncer’s growing unhappiness and frustration, leading to a rift forming between the pair. However, when an unexpected event leaves Sam missing, the pets must overcome their differences, rescue their beloved owner, and face a pivotal
decision: can they learn to live together?
Character Breakdowns
Any of the following characters could be played by an actor of any age, gender or ethnicity, however each role has specific requirements. Please note all actors will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, which will be organised by CTC.
(any gender, playing age, ethnicity)
As this production focusses on exploring emotional states, we are seeking a skilled physical performer who can embody Bouncer, the dog, primarily through movement. They must be physically agile, very expressive, humorous with strong singing ability. We strongly encourage applications from artists under-represented in theatre including performers from
the global majority, performers in the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse performers and those from traditionally working class backgrounds. Before Harmony arrives, Bouncer is enthusiastic, eager to please, calm and controlled. They
are helpful towards their owner, like routines and are happy most of the time. After Harmony arrives, Bouncer becomes confused, upset, disrupted, anxious – then angry, sad and depressed. Ultimately Bouncer is relieved when Sam returns, but not fully happy until they know that Harmony is also safely home.
1. Bouncer the Dog
Person specification
Essential:
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Professional actor
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Experience of working in theatre for children and young people, during training and/or professionally
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Highly skilled in physical theatre/movement
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Confident singing onstage
Desirable:
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Experience in portraying animal characters
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An actor musician, comfortable playing and singing simultaneously
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Based within Oxfordshire or our neighbouring counties (Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire)
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Experience in comedy and clowning
2. Harmony the Cat
(any gender, playing age, ethnicity)
As this production focusses on exploring emotional states, we are seeking a skilled physical performer who can embody Harmony, the cat, primarily through movement. They must be physically agile, very expressive, humorous with strong singing ability. We strongly encourage applications from artists under-represented in theatre including performers from the global majority, performers in the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse performers and those from traditionally working class backgrounds. When Harmony first arrives, they are fearful, mistrustful, lonely, and very self-protecting.
Once the Harmony settles in, they become provocative, disruptive, mean and sly - keen to taunt and expel Bouncer. When Sam goes missing, Harmony becomes worried, sympathetic towards the dog, keen to help. Harmony wants to be a friend to Bouncer and takes a great risk to go and help find Sam.
Person specification
Essential:
-
Professional actor
-
Experience of working in theatre for children and young people, during training and/or professionally
-
Highly skilled in physical theatre/movement
-
Confident singing onstage
Desirable:
-
Experience in portraying animal characters
-
An actor musician, comfortable playing and singing
-
Based within Oxfordshire or our neighbouring counties (Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire)
3. Sam the Human
(any gender, playing age, ethnicity)
Sam has a physical disability and uses an assistance dog to assist with daily tasks. We are encouraging applicants solely with lived experience of a physical disability. We intend to build the production and character of Sam collaboratively with the actor, considering their access requirements at every stage of the process. We also encourage applications from
artists under-represented in theatre including performers from the global majority, performers in the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodiverse performers and those from traditionally working class backgrounds.
Sam is warm and empathetic. They are very understanding about the emotions that both Harmony and Grace experience, and are patient, kind and tolerant. Sam tries very hard to encourage the dog and the cat to get on well together. They model best practice in dealing with emotions and not getting overly emotional themselves. We are working with the charity ‘Dogs for Good’ to develop this story with authenticity, and to spotlight the task their dogs perform and the support their provide to their owners. Dogs for Good train assistance dogs for adults with many different types of physical disability.
Every dog is specially trained to help with practical tasks such as:
• Opening and closing doors
• Helping a person dress and undress
• Retrieving items such as mobile telephones or dropped articles like keys or a bag
• Loading and emptying the washing machine
• Retrieving named articles such as slippers, gloves or a remote control
• Switching the lights on and off
• Retrieving the post
• Reaching up to shop-counters with items such as a wallet
Their dogs provide an extension of a person’s abilities, and as such are allowed by law to
accompany their partner into public places such as shops, restaurants and to travel on
public transport.
Person specification
Essential:
-
Professional actor
-
Experience of working in theatre for children and young people, during training
-
and/or professionally
-
A strong and clear speaking and singing voice
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Lived experience of a physical disability
Dates
All R&D and rehearsal activity is based in Banbury.
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28 May – 3 June: Practical R&D workshops over 5 days, exploring developing music and movement for the production with the creative team, involving some work with young people and community groups for carers and young children
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June 24-July 12: Rehearsals (Monday to Friday)
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July 15-24: Schools touring (North Oxfordshire)
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July 26 – August 16: Community centres and libraries touring (no more than 2 shows a day, 5 days a week)
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Please note, touring is exclusively during the daytime (no more than venues per day) and the company will return to Banbury each afternoon/evening. All touring venues are within an hour’s drive from Banbury and transport will be provided.
£545 per week, plus holiday pay (9 weeks, total)
£250 per week relocation allowance (9 weeks, total)
Please send a link to your CV/Spotlight Page and relevant showreels to tristan@cherwelltheatrecompany.co.uk. Include your name and the character you believe you are best suited to in the subject line of your email. Please only apply for one role.
Please also include 1-2 paragraphs listing relevant experience with relation to the person specification and let us know where you are based. If you’d prefer to, you can send this information as a voice note or short video of 1-2 minutes, by attachment or a link within your email. Suitable candidates will then be asked to submit a self tape of a short audition piece, and then invited to an interview with the writer and director either online or in person as
appropriate.
A personal access budget is available. Applicants invited to submit a self tape will be asked to complete an access rider.
How to Apply
Fees
Job Opportunity
Stage Manager Position
The stage manager must be able to drive a van, lead get ins, operate sound and have some experience of community touring.
Dates for availability
June 24-July 15: Rehearsals in Banbury
July 15-24: Schools touring
July 26-29: Castle Quay performances
August 1-16: Libraries touring, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire.
Fees
The fee is £600 per week, plus holiday pay. There is also £250 relocation allowance payable per week and the contract is for 9 weeks in total.
How to Apply
Please send your CV to tristan@cherwelltheatrecompany.co.uk
Closing Date
Friday 3rd May at 5pm.
If you have any questions relating to the project whatsoever, especially regarding access requirements, then please include them in your email. This project is made possible by generous support from Arts Council England, Cherwell District Council, Cherwell Lottery Good Cause, Garfield Weston Foundation, Sanctuary Housing, Castle Quay Shopping Centre Sylvia Waddilove Foundation and Activate Learning