Open Auditions

Next Auditions

The Drowning Girls

Showing January 16-February 1, 2026
Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM

By Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson, & Daniela Vlaskalic
Directed by Lola Bond

Fill out the audition form here.

Auditions: October 19-20, 2025

Location: ART Mainstage

Ages 18+ only.

Auditions will consist of cold readings. It is strongly encouraged to attend the first night of auditions if possible.

Bessie, Alice and Margaret are three of the many wives of George Joseph Smith, an Edwardian opportunist who made a living marrying women, taking out life insurance policies for them and subsequently drowning them in their baths. Three ghostly brides surface from bathtubs full of water, to gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous, husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths. As they make their case, they discover how they have been victimized not only by George Joseph Smith, but also by society at large. Full of rich images, a myriad of characters, a quirky sense of humour and lyrical language, The Drowning Girls is both breathtaking fantasia and social critique.

This production includes the use of WATER onstage, contained within 3 bathtubs. Water is essential to the production. The playwright recommends 5” of water per tub. Actors will be required to perform while wet, and will be repeatedly getting in/out of the bathtubs. Please take these physical demands into consideration before auditioning.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

3f or f presenting, any age.

The ages below are presented as guidelines for the main roles only, not indicative of the director’s intended casting choices.

BESSIE (MUNDY) (30s) - A naive and forgiving woman, Bessie is portrayed as being easily swept off her feet by Smith, even after being abandoned by him. (Also plays GEORGE, CAROLINE, JOHN, Dr. BILLINGS, Mrs. RAPLEY, AMELIA, MARKS, and Sgt. PAGE)

ALICE (BURNHAM) (mid/late 20s) - A rebellious young woman, Alice is seen as a misguided rebel against her repressive parents, finding a temporary escape in her relationship with Smith. (Also plays JOHN, GEORGE, HENRY, Mrs. TUCKETT, Mrs. CROSSLEY, JANE, Insp. NEIL, and Mr. BODKIN)

MARGARET (LOFTY) (late 30s/early 40s) - A woman who is pushing 40 and desperate for love, Margaret sees Smith as her last hope, even though he ultimately leads to her death. (Also plays HENRY, the CONDUCTOR, Alice’s MOTHER, Mrs. BLATCH, Sgt. REID, KNOWLES, and Miss BRIGHTON)

The Drowning Girls premiered at Alberta Theatre Projects on March 6, 2008, as part of the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays.

The Drowning Girls is produced by permission of the Playwright and Marquis Literary (Colin Rivers) www.MQlit.ca