Casting Notice
Atlantic Repertory Company (ARC)
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
Seeking: BILLIE HOLIDAY
Open Call / Equity & Non-Equity
About the Production
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, written by Lanie Robertson, is an intimate and emotionally powerful portrait of Billie Holiday performing at a small Philadelphia bar in 1959 - one of her final performances before her death. The play unfolds in real time as Billie sings, tells stories, and reveals the heartbreak and resilience beneath the legend.
The production will be rehearsed and performed at the BMO Studio Theatre, in Saint John, New Brunswick. Rehearsals to begin February 1st, 2027 with one week of performances February 23rd to 27th, 2027.
The Role: Billie Holiday
We are seeking a performer to portray one of the most iconic figures in the history of American music. This is a demanding, tour-de-force role requiring extraordinary vocal, physical, and dramatic range. Black female performers are strongly encouraged to apply.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong vocal ability suited to jazz and blues repertoire (Holiday's signature style -
phrasing, tone, and emotional depth are essential; note-perfect imitation is not). - Strong acting skills with the ability to sustain a full-length solo-driven narrative.
- Comfort with period-specific language, themes of addiction, trauma, racism, and love.
- Physical stamina and stage presence to carry an intimate, emotionally intense production.
A partial song list includes God Bless the Child, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Strange Fruit, Tain't Nobody's Business, and others.
Eligibility
- Open to Canadian artists, with a priority placed on New Brunswick resident artists.
- Both Equity and non-Equity artists will be considered.
To Submit
Please send the following to auditions@saintjohntheatrecompany.com.
- Current headshot and résumé
- A brief cover letter outlining your connection to this role and any relevant experience.
Auditions by invitation following submission review.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: July 10th, 2026
About Us
The Atlantic Repertory Company (ARC) is the professional development wing of the Saint John Theatre Company (SJTC). Based in Saint John, New Brunswick, the SJTC is the largest producing theatre organization in New Brunswick which manages a broad range of theatre-related activity including: the Saint John Theatre Company Main Stage Series at Imperial Theatre, the Atlantic Repertory Company, ARC Academy theatre training, the Fundy Fringe Festival, the Loyalist City Shakespeare Festival, and a range of activities at the BMO Studio Theatre. The ARC also tours regionally and internationally.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for auditions will be contacted.