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COME FROM AWAYDirected by Steve Bortolotti
SHOW DATES
September 11-13 & 16-20, 2026
SYNOPSIS
From Music Theatre International:
Come From Away is a critically acclaimed musical featuring a culturally relevant script accompanied by a deeply moving score by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The show has earned global success with 37 award nominations, 13 of which resulted in wins, most notably Best New Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards and Outstanding Musical at the 2017 Drama Desk Awards. The show’s global presence resonates across all audiences as an uplifting reminder of humanity’s ability to come together, no matter what the circumstances.
Come From Away is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.
AUDITIONS
Location: First Baptist Church, 411 W. Lake Ave., Peoria, IL
Dates/Times:
June 5 at 6:00 pm
June 6 at 12:00 pm
June 7 at 1:30 pm
SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION SLOT HERE:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4CA9AD2FA57-63069178-come?fbclid=IwY2xjawQujxZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLaDVqeWlCcG5sZDJjQXlHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl091EzhY1JXGpsWPkf94uNhSnIthJtWcgYx59TYO91G52dDN_D-CT_Lju5W_aem_76kOwbRqBrzeqxN_qcHkDQ#/
AUDITION MUSIC CLICK HERE:
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=a5782025133a0a47&id=A5782025133A0A47%21seea454b2eb1b463293d53f86ac58744d&resid=A5782025133A0A47%21seea454b2eb1b463293d53f86ac58744d&ithint=folder&e=9XNLlv&migratedtospo=true&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL2YvYy9hNTc4MjAyNTEzM2EwYTQ3L0lnQ3lWS1R1Ry1zeVJwUFZQNGFzV0hSTkFSeHFFcU92amhIRHZFS1Y5Qkp3M25VP2U9OVhOTGx2&v=validatepermission
Vocal Auditions:
1. Please bring sheet music in a binder, or a book, or a track on your phone, of 32 bars of an up-tempo or ballade that shows your vocal range.
2. An accompanist will be provided, as well as a speaker if you use a track.
3. You may sing a song from the show. There are possibilities listed below in the Character Breakdown and the music from the score is attached. There are only a few stand-alone songs such as “I Am Here”, “Prayer”, “Me and the Sky”, and “Stop the World”, which ALL are welcome to sing. The other songs listed with the Character Breakdown are short sections you may also use.
4. At callbacks, Susie will give everyone music from the show and teach harmonies, making sure everyone can hold their own vocal line. Some people might be asked to sing solos from the show.
Dance Auditions:
Please dress to move. All characters dance in a mostly folk style in the show.
Readings with Accents and Languages:
There are several different accents and languages in Come from Away. The actors ALL portray Newfoundlanders - their accent(s) sounds like a mix of Canadian and Irish - plus at least two other characters from different places. Here are some ways to listen and learn:
1. Watch/listen to the full Broadway production:
2. IDEA – International Dialects of English Archives – offers accents from around the world at your fingertips.
https://www.dialectsarchive.com/ Here are specific voices to listen to, and if you search for something on your own, find the oldest person in the list of recorded voices. Older folks have the most authentic and un-Americanized accents.
Newfoundland (All cast members)
(These recorded folks are from further southeast of Gander, but their sound works):
https://www.dialectsarchive.com/newfoundland-5
https://www.dialectsarchive.com/newfoundland-4
Texas/Central Texas – the Dallas and Houston recordings are very neutral! (Beverly, Diane):
https://www.dialectsarchive.com/texas-6
3. Other needed accents you can find on the IDEA website:
London (Nick)
New York (Bob)
Long Island (Hannah)
Brooklyn (Kevin T.)
Brooklyn, Queens, or Long Island (Delores)
Egyptian (Ali)
4. Languages:
2
Spanish (Mr. Michaels the gym teacher)
African/Swahili (Muhumuza, all bus passengers)
Hebrew (Rabbi, Eddie)
Hindu (Hindu passengers in “Prayer”)
French (pilot)
Irish (pilot)
German (pilot)
British (pilot)
Dubai, UAE (pilot)
Spanish (pilot)
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN from MTI [edited]
Additional information at https://stageagent.com/shows/musical/8452/come-from-away
Claude & others (Song No. 1 “Welcome to the Rock”, measures 14-22, and the end of No. 10 “Screech In”, measures 123-133)
The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he's never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before.
Also plays a plane passenger, Derm, Brenda’s Brother, and Eddie.
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range: Bari/tenor to G4
Bonnie & others (Song No. 4 “Blankets and Beds”, measures 17-41)
A no-nonsense mother of three, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety - but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her.
Also plays Martha and Hindu passenger.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range mezzo - top: B
Beulah & others (Song No. 4 “Blankets and Beds”, measures 17-41)
The head of the Gander [Academy], with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her.
Also plays Delores.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 60
Oz & others (Song No. 5 “28 Hours/Wherever We Are”, measures 61-92 (Joey’s solo and chorus)
The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town's population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways.
Also plays Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, and Head Cardiologist.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G4 3
Janice & others (Song No. 5 “28 Hours/Wherever We Are”, pick-up to measure 298-326)
An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her.
Also plays Britney, Flight Attendant, and Hindu passenger.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: E5
Beverley/Annette/others (Song No. 11 “Me and the Sky” 1st half, measures 1-61, or 2nd half, measures 63-148)
Beverely: The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverely Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes.
Annette: A schoolteacher at Gander Academy with an active fantasy life.
Also plays Reporter.
Gender: female
Age: 50 to 60
[Vocal range bottom: G3]
Vocal range top: [E5]
Diane & others (Song No. 12 “Stop the World” Diane’s verse, measures 29-48 – please be familiar with all)
A traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he's safe, she's given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself.
Also plays Crystal and Brenda.
Gender: female
Age: 50 to 60
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G4
Nick/Doug & others (Song No. 12“Stop the World” Doug’s verse, measures 1-16 – please be familiar with all)
Nick: An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick's life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.
Doug: An Air Traffic Controller, married to Bonnie, who tries to help his wife and the animals.
Also plays Officer Stephenson, and Male Townsperson.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 60
Vocal range top: E4
Kevin T/Garth & others (Song No. 8 “Prayer”, measures 3-17, both Kevin T’s and Hannah’s solo lines)
Kevin T: The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town's generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation.
Garth: The head of the local union, representing the Bus Drivers.
Also plays President Bush.
Gender: male 4
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G4
Kevin J/Ali & others (Song No. 7 “Costume Party” - all solo lines in your octave at measure 48-64)
Kevin J: Kevin's boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible.
Ali: An Egyptian man traveling to America who experiences isolation and Islamophobia but who finds a connection to Beulah.
Also plays Dwight.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Bari/Tenor
Hannah & others (Song No. 7f “I Am Here”, measures 15-69 – yes, there’s no good place to cut it.)
The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.
Also plays Margie and Mickey.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: E5
dd
Bob & others (Song: No. 13 “Planes Reprise/Somewhere” measures 33-62, Bob’s solo then melody on chorus)
A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he's landed, fearing that it's World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet - but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness.
Also plays Muhumuza, Captain Bristol, and [Robin]
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 40
Bari/Tenor
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Event Venue
First Baptist Church of Peoria, 411 W Lake Ave, Peoria, IL 61614-6019, United States
Tickets
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