“Electrifying theatre.” ★★★★½
CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE
The stage is a country in itself.
With its own rules and regulations.
Or lack of them.
The Audition was premiered at La Mama Courthouse in 2019 and then toured in May and June in 2024 at La Mama Courthouse, Bunjil Place and The Bowery Theatre.
The Audition peels back the layers of the audition process to uncover what it means to seek asylum. The asylum seeker shares something in common with the artist in Australia. They are both outsiders of uncertain status.
The Audition is inspired by two artists, Milad Norouzi and Sahra Davoudi who were also asylum seekers while developing and creating the work. As creators and performers they imbue the show with a tension and truth that is palpable, poetic and at times absurd.
Director and Concept Irine Vela
Writers Christos Tsiolkas, Melissa Reeves, Milad Norouzi, Patricia Cornelius, Sahra Davoudi, Tes Lyssiotis and Wahibe Moussa
Cast Evangelos Arabatzis (2024), Mary Sitarenos (2019, 2024), Milad Norouzi (2019, 2024), Peter Paltos (2019) and Sahra Davoudi (2019, 2024)
Musician Vahideh Eisaei (2019, 2024) and Arman Habibi (2024)
Dramaturgs Maryanne Lynch and Irine Vela
Associate Director Tariro Mavondo (2024)
Lighting Designer Gina Gascoigne
Designer Adrienne Chisholm
Photos Darren Gill and Miguel Rios
SHOW TITLES
The Doll | Patricia Cornelius
Woomera Detention Centre | Tes Lyssiotis
Seven Days | Sahra Davoudi
The Audition | Christos Tsiolkas
You Made Us a Promise What You Told Us Today Would Be True | Melissa Reeves
Beautiful Jail | Milad Norouzi
I Can Be Her | Wahibe Moussa
Kanun music and improvisations based on Iranian classical music modes | Vahideh Eisaei
Santur improvisations based on
Iranian modes | Arman Habibi
Song ‘Goodbye’ | Milad Norouzi
Musical Direction Irine Vela
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The Audition has been published as part of ‘Staging Asylum, Again’ by Currency Press.
Purchase ‘Staging Asylum, Again’ >here<
For all school bookings please contact Education Consultant, Claire Wearne
e_ claire[at]outerurbanprojects.org
m_ [zero four] 24 602 454
THE AUDITION Show Program >here<
Click here for more information on THE AUDITION Education page.
More information for schools click >here< for English, Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies.
Click to see our translated flyers for
Read our Comprehensive Education Resource Pack created by expert teachers by clicking >here<
Developed and presented with support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts funding and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Besen Family Foundation, Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation, Brimbank City Council (The Bowery), City of Casey (Bunjil Place), City of Melbourne, Merri-bek City Council, Inner North Community Foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, La Mama Theatre, and Outer Urban Projects school and community partners.
Reviews:
“Irine Vela seamlessly directs The Audition to create electrifying theatre… the work shimmers, mirage-like, between asylum seekers claiming protection and actors preparing to audition, with cognate politics and piercing resonance.”
★★★★½
-CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE
"A nuanced, topical and emotionally intelligent piece of theatre."
★★★★
-JESSI RYAN | ARTSHUB
“The humour is double edged, the emotions piercing. This is political theatre that rises far above...”
“Ms Davoudi... proves herself a quite astonishing talent: her pointed comic timing combines with an ability to convey depths of pain – to which her interlocutors are oblivious. And she is one of the writers here too.”
-MICHAEL BRINDLEY | STAGE WHISPERS
“The Audition is unforgettable. Actors, asylum seekers and immigrants remind us of perpetual expectations... Outstanding newcomer Milad Norouzi’s inspirational work Beautiful Jail is moving.”
★★★★★
-LYN ZELEN | THEATRE PEOPLE
"Visually striking theatre making where meaning is portrayed beyond words."
-NINA ROSSINI | BOARD MEMBER DRAMA AUSTRALIA
"Meticulous direction."
★★★★