PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND ONLY SUBMIT IF SUITABLE

Actor Callout: We’re Casting! Fee: £3300

*Character breakdowns, key dates and application info below*

About The Show

When Essex teenager Jas meets Ellie playing football, there's an instant spark. Both Ellie and Jas’ older sister Priya worry about what's best for Jas. But how well do either of them really know her?

The Light Trail is a hilarious and moving play about psychosis and its impact on the lives of people who experience it, told via three interweaving monologues.

The Light Trail underwent a rehearsed reading on Zoom last year, and was since shortlisted for The Women’s Prize 2021. It has received excellent feedback from The Bush, leading to its writer Lydia Sabatini being selected for The Bush Emerging Writer’s Group 2021-22.

Content warnings: the production contains depictions of mental health crisis, injury and psychiatric institutionalisation and references to bullying, suicidality and self-harm.

Key Dates (availability for the following is essential)

Rehearsals: Monday 10th October - Friday 4th November

Get in, Tech and Dress: Sunday 6th - Tuesday 8th November

Previews: Tuesday 8th - Wednesday 9th November

Press Night: Thursday 10th November

Show dates: Friday 10th - Saturday 26th November

Rehearsals and Performances will take place at The Hope Theatre, Islington (prior warning will be given for any changes of location when rehearsing, should they arise).

Character Breakdowns (Jas, Priya and Ellie

JAS

She/her

17

South Asian

Jas is a smart, self-confident teenager who sees very clearly a special destiny for herself. If other people don’t see that, if they underestimate her, well, that’s their problem. Jas’ belief that she has been chosen for great things is gradually eroded by others, resulting in a psychotic breakdown. Jas has to struggle with everything she’s got to rebuild her sense of identity from the ground up.

Accent should be London/estuary/southern England - strong Essex accent not required.

We’re looking to cast actors with lived experience of neurodivergence or psychological disability/mental health issues (we will not be asking for anyone to disclose specifics).

PRIYA

She/her

22

South Asian

All Priya wants is to move to Scotland to pursue her creative dreams to be a writer, but tensions within the family home leave her feeling like her departure would be catastrophic for the family. Resourceful and determining, Priya tries to keep everything together, believes she can and she must. The pressure starts to get to her when she begins to suspect that something is amiss with her little sister Jas.

Accent should be London/estuary/southern England - strong Essex accent not required.

ELLIE

She/her

16/7

White

Ellie is an energetic football-obsessed teenager raised in the one true church of West Ham United by her father. Loud and smart yet lacking in self-confidence, she has a big crush on Jas, a girl on her football team. She wants to get closer to Jas but is anxious about scaring her away. 

Essex accent required.

We’re looking to cast a queer-identifying actor.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a CV and some short video footage of you acting to lighttrailshow@gmail.com  by 12pm on Wednesday the 21st of September.

Following your submission, you may then be invited to auditions which will take place on Monday the 26th and Wednesday the 28th of September, in London.

If you have any questions about the production, characters or application process, then please do get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KLGf-pU4O_PNWCGYdFFn6T7hEoD7PVwr/edit