new Opportunities

A DISTINCT SOCIETY Auditions

Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Virginia is announcing auditions for the Virginia Premiere of A Distinct Society, written and directed by Kareem Fahmy.

Synopsis: 

The border between Vermont and Quebec runs straight through the Haskell Free Library & Opera House. After the Muslim Ban goes into full effect in 2018, families begin using it as a meeting place, facilitated by the kind Quebecois librarian, Manon. Tending to the people who use the library as a safe space has become part of her DNA—be it a teenager desperate to escape school or the US border cop who likes to flirt with Manon. When an Iranian father uses the Canadian side to visit his daughter studying on an F1 visa in the States, though, Manon’s loyalty to the building, her beliefs, politics, and independence are all challenged in life-altering ways.

Seeking AEA and non-union actors for the following roles:

PEYMAN GILANI 

A man in his 50s. Iranian. A cardiac surgeon. Speaks with a Persian accent. He is grounded. 

MANON DESJARDINS 

A woman in her 40s. White French-Canadian. The Head Librarian at the Haskell Free  Library. Speaks with a Québécois accent. She is enigmatic. (Manon performs a brief, playful dance in the show. She is not a professional). 

DECLAN SHEEHAN 

A 15-year-old boy. White Canadian. A high school student. The child of Northern Irish  immigrants to Québec. Speaks with the slightest hint of a Canadian accent. He is lonely. 

BRUCE LAIRD 

A man in his mid-to-late 30s. Black American. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent. He is charming. 

SHIRIN GILANI 

A woman in her mid-20s. Iranian. PEYMAN’s daughter. A medical student. Her Persian  accent is milder than her father’s. She is forthright. 

Firehouse seeks collaborative, hardworking, kind, inspired, and inspiring actors, who are ready to support one another and invest in the overall success of the project and the organization. Firehouse supports playwrights and directors in their visions for both culturally-appropriate and non-traditional casting.

Audition Dates and Times: 

Monday, May 12th 6-10pm AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Tuesday, May 13th 6-10pm CALLBACKS BY INVITATION ONLY

To schedule an appointment: 

Please email auditions@firehousetheatre.org, with your preferred time and role, and we will provide you with your appointment date and time prior to auditions. 

What to prepare: 

Audition sides will be provided upon confirmation of your appointment.

Rehearsal and Performance Dates: 

Rehearsals will begin on or around Monday, October 13th, 2025

*Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends

Performances run November 14th through November 30th 

(There is no performance on Thanksgiving)

Compensation: 

Members of Actors Equity will be on the new Single Engagement Agreement (category 1, tier B). Non-union actors are paid $1400-$2100 for the project commensurate with experience and the size of the role. 

Auditions will be held at:
Firehouse Theatre
1609 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220