East is East

Casting Information

Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding casting information for our production of East is East. The details below outline what is required if you wish to audition for one of the roles and the commitment you will need to make if you are successful at your audition.

Who can apply?

  • We will be looking for two male actors between the ages of 12 and 17to play the role of Sajit Khan. The boys will need to have a playing age of 13(please note these roles will be unpaid).
  • The two boys will appear in the production on alternate days throughout the run – so if you are chosen to be in the company, you can expect to be needed for half of the shows.
  • No experience is necessary but they must feel comfortable performing onstage.

When are we auditioning?

Auditions will be held onTuesday 9th January and Thursday 11th January, in dedicated timeslots between 5pm and 7pm at the Octagon Theatre.Afterthese auditions, the final actors will be chosen. The audition will be led by the director of East is East, Ben Occhipinti and will consist of an enjoyable and friendly meeting where you will read through the script together; no one is expected to prepare texts to perform.

Things you need to know…

Although we are sure you will have great fun working with us, being part of such a large production is very hard work and requires a big commitment from everyone involved. In order to be part of our young people’s company for East is East, you must be absolutely certain that you can commit to our rehearsal and production schedule. Please check that you areavailable for rehearsal weeks and for the run of the show before you come along to the workshop – the full schedule is at the end of this document.

Young Company rehearsals

In addition to the run of the show (Thu 15 March - Sat 14 Apr)you must be available for all of the following dates/times:

Tuesday 30th January

Thursday 1st February

Tuesday 6th February

Thursday 8th February

Tuesday 13th February

Thursday 15th February

Saturday 17th February

Tuesday 19th February

Thursday 22nd February

Saturday 24th February

Tuesday 27th February

Thursday 1st March

Saturday 3rd March

Tuesday 6th March

Thursday 8th March

Saturday 10th March

Tuesday 13th March

Wednesday 14th March

Thursday 15th March

Friday 16th March

Saturday 17th March

Availability during the run of the show

East is East will run at the Octagon Theatre fromThu 15 March 2018 - Sat 14 April 2018. If you are successful in getting a place in our young company, you will be one of two actors. This means you would be performing on alternate days, in 50% of the performances. This means you could be appearing in up to15 performances.

How do I apply?

  • If you feel that you can commit to all of the dates required, meet the eligibility criteria and would like to apply to attend our auditions on Tuesday 9th January and Thursday 11th January 2018, just fill in the attached application and consent forms, and return by Thursday the 4th of January 2018 to:

Liv Barr

Production Administrator

The Octagon Theatre

Howell Croft South

Bolton

BL1 1SB

  • Alternatively, you can fill in the application form digitally and send it to
  • A member of the Octagon team will call/email your parent or guardianby Friday 5th of January 2018 to confirm that you can attend the workshop, so please make sure you include a daytime telephone number and email address on your form.

Information for parents and guardians

This information is only applicable if your child is accepted into the production, and is not required at the time of audition.

  • Each young person who is successful in the audition and entered into the young companywill need to be licensed for performance by the Local Authority in which you live and we will require the following information for that licence application:

1. A signed letter giving permission from your school for you to be absent on the days you are required for the production, such as matinees. All rehearsals are taking place in the summer holidays, so no consent would be required by the school for this.

2.A completed medical form, signed by the Parent / Guardian

3.A signed letter from you to confirm that your child is fit and able to take part in the production.

4.A copy of your child’s birth certificate.

5.Two identical recent passport-sized photographs.

  • In order to get all licence applications in to the various Local Authorities by their deadlines we need all of the above information no later than 22nd of January 2018. Please be prepared to spend time chasing these items in the two weeks following casting – we know from experience that it can be time consuming to get the various letters and photocopies together, but we can’t stress enough that without all documents being here your child may not receive their licence in time, and without a licence, we cannot allow them to perform.
  • All members of the young people’s company will be chaperoned throughout the rehearsal and performance period by a matron licensed by the local authority.
  • Each member of the company will need to be collected from the Theatre by a parent/guardian to return home after each rehearsal or performance in which they appear – please note that you need to come and meet the chaperone to collect your child, we cannot allow them to walk from the theatre to meet you. This is a condition of the license for young people’s performances.
  • A release form will need to be completed by you to confirm that your childis able to be interviewed and photographed/filmed for publicity purposes.
  • You will receive two complimentary tickets to the first performance in which your child appears or another night of your choosing other than a Saturday night.
  • Please be aware that these roles are unpaid.

Rehearsal Schedule – East is East Young Company

The below dates and times are for rehearsals. The actual show schedule will be worked out closer to the time. You must be available for all of the rehearsals stated below.

Dates / Times
Tuesday 30th January / 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Thursday 1st February / 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Tuesday 6th February / 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Thursday 8th February / 4.00pm - 6.00pm
Tuesday 13th February / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Thursday 15th February / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Saturday 17th February / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Tuesday 19th February / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Thursday 22nd February / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Saturday 24th February / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Tuesday 27th February / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Thursday 1st March / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Saturday 3rd March / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Tuesday 6th March / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Thursday 8th March / 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Saturday 10th March / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Tuesday 13th March / 1.30pm - 10.00pm
Wednesday 14th March / 1.00pm - 10.30pm
Thursday 15th March / 1.00pm - 10.30pm
Friday 16th March / 1.00pm - 10.30pm
Saturday 17th March / 1.00pm - 10.30pm

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