AUDITION NOTICE: Away - Brisbane Arts Theatre

Title: Away

Presented By: Brisbane Arts Theatre

Genre: Australian Drama

Synopsis: Set during the summer holidays of 1968, Away follows three very different Australian families whose lives unexpectedly intersect while travelling along the Queensland coast.

Tom, a warm and intelligent school student, is facing circumstances far beyond his years, while his devoted parents, Harry and Vic, try to protect him and make the most of their time together. Meg is beginning to challenge the expectations of her controlling mother, Gwen, while her father, Jim, attempts to keep the peace. Elsewhere, school principal Roy and his wife Coral are each struggling with profound grief following a family tragedy.

As their separate journeys gradually converge, moments of humour, conflict and unexpected connection allow the characters to confront loss, rediscover hope and begin healing. Michael Gow’s enduring Australian play explores family, grief, love and the transformative power of compassion.

Audition Date: Sunday 2 August 2026

Audition Time: 12:00pm–4:00pm

Auditions will be held in one-hour workshop sessions, with up to ten performers in each group.

Audition Location and Address: Lavalla Centre, 58 Fernberg Road, Paddington QLD

Audition Requirements: No prepared monologue is required.

Auditions will be conducted in a relaxed workshop format and will consist of cold readings from the script. The production is seeking:

• Collaborative storytellers and team players

• Performers across a broad range of ages and experience levels

• New community-theatre participants

• Performers able to commit to the rehearsal and production period

Performers of all genders, abilities, backgrounds and ethnicities are encouraged to audition.

Audition Registration: Register for an audition session

Audition Pack: Download the audition pack

Performance Dates: Thursday 24 September 2026 - Friday 2 October 2026

Performance Location: C Block AuditoriumSouth Bank TAFE, 66 Ernest Street, South Brisbane QLD

Rehearsal Dates: Rehearsals commence Wednesday 4 August 2026 and continue until Thursday 17 September 2026.

• Headshots: Sunday 23 August 2026

• Production photos: Tuesday 25 August 2026

• Bump-in: Saturday 19 September 2026

• Technical rehearsals: Monday 21–Wednesday 23 September 2026

• Bump-out: Friday 2 October 2026 following the final performance

Rehearsal Times:

• Wednesdays: 6:00pm–9:30pm

• Thursdays: 6:00pm–9:30pm

• Sundays: Generally 12:00pm–4:00pm

• Technical rehearsals: 6:00pm–late

Rehearsal Location:

• Wednesday rehearsals:Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside QLD

• Thursday and Sunday rehearsals: Lavalla Centre, Room 858 Fernberg Road, Paddington QLD

• Technical rehearsals: C Block Auditorium, South Bank TAFE, 66 Ernest Street, South Brisbane QLD

Warnings: Themes of grief, terminal illness, family conflict and bereavement.

Creative Team: Director: Susan O’Toole Cridland

Production Website: Brisbane Arts Theatre – Away Auditions

Other information:

• Performers of all experience levels are welcome, including first-time community-theatre participants.

• Cast members must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances.

• Successful performers must become financial members of Brisbane Arts Theatre. Membership costs $40 and is valid for 12 months.

• Enquiries: away26@artstheatre.com.au or (07) 3369 2344.

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

• Tom (Male, late teens) Warm, intelligent and compassionate. A school student confronting circumstances far beyond his years and one of the emotional centres of the play. A slight English accent is required.

• Meg (Female, late teens) Bright, spirited and independent. She is curious about the world and beginning to challenge her mother’s expectations.

• Harry (Male, 40s–60s) Tom’s father. Hard-working, practical and deeply devoted to his family. A general English accent is required.

• Vic (Female, 40s–60s) Tom’s mother. Kind-hearted, resilient and protective. A general English accent is required.

• Gwen (Female, 40s–60s) Meg’s strong-willed and status-conscious mother. Often controlling, though ultimately motivated by fear and love for her family.

• Jim (Male, 40s–60s) Meg’s easy-going and thoughtful father. He is frequently caught between maintaining peace and standing his ground.

• Coral (Female, 40s–60s) A woman struggling with grief after a family tragedy. A complex and emotionally demanding role.

• Roy (Male, 40s–60s) Coral’s husband and a school principal. Reserved, dignified and carrying his own emotional burden.

• Miss Latrobe (Female, 30s+) A dedicated drama teacher whose school production opens the play.

• Rick (Male, 20s–30s) A holiday-maker whose chance encounter with Coral becomes significant.

• Leonie (Female, 30s–50s) A resort guest who provides both humour and insight.

• Master of Ceremonies (Any gender) A confident, charismatic and theatrical host.

• Ensemble Roles The ensemble may portray campers, holiday-makers, hotel guests, school-production performers and other featured characters. These roles are suitable for first-time performers, students and community members seeking stage experience without the pressure of a major role.