Posted by House of Beida
House of Beida is inviting artists to audition for a workshop of Kainchee Lagaa by Bilal Baig. This is a paid opportunity for a development workshop in June/July 2025, with the possibility of moving towards a full production in Spring 2026. This workshop would be on an Equity contract at a rate of $950 per week; all artists who are legally able to work in Canada are invited to apply, regardless of union status.
The roles:
ARSALAN
In his 20s. South Asian or Arab. Cis or trans male.
Arsalan is stuck in Etobicoke Ontario with his grandmother who doesn’t do much except for stare at him. He’s a stoner with a vivid imagination, dreaming to do something that changes people’s lives — or at the very least, change the life of his poor sister who got left behind in Pakistan. He uses his impulsive, reckless behaviour and crass stories to hide the deep sensitivity he carries within himself. He cares a lot about what the people who love him think of him, so his painful awareness of his own substance use and addiction fills him with a kind of haunting shame.
THE PRESENCE (Ensemble – plays multiple characters)
In their 50s. South Asian or Arab. All genders may submit but please note this role embodies a female energy at times as well as different male energies. Performers with a relationship to gender variance and strong movement/dance skills are especially encouraged to submit.
An ethereal presence that at times supports Arsalan and his sister, and other times torments them. A shape-shifter, a deceptive spirit, a long-lost-lover, and an enigmatic oracle. This is a non-speaking role.
Submission instructions:
Please submit a headshot, resume, and a brief introduction to yourself (a paragraph is fine) to assistant.houseofbeida@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 21.
Auditions will be held on May 26 + 27 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto.
Please forward any questions or access requests to assistant.houseofbeida@gmail.com.
About the play:
KAINCHEE LAGAA explores a severed connection between two siblings living on the margins in different corners of the world. One is grappling with substance use, an omnipresent grandma, and trying to escape Etobicoke, Ontario but feeling held back due to some majorly unchecked PTSD post 9/11. The other is constantly getting dicked down and eating tandoori chicken on the bustling streets of Heera Mandhi, Lahore. As the duo move towards each other, hard truths about their realities and fantasies are confronted and this forever-sibling-bond is irrevocably altered.