COME FROM AWAY - AUDITION NOTICE
Want to take part? Here's how ...
PRE-AUDITION WORKSHOPS
7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story.
Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, the smash hit show, Come From Away chronicles the real-life experiences of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, and the almost 7000 airline passengers who were forced to land there when US air space was closed on September 11, 2001.
Early that morning, the Federal Aviation Administration decided to shut down its airspace, forcing thousands of planes to land at nearby airports. This caused a total of 38 planes carrying 6,579 passengers and crew to be grounded in the small city of Gander. This would be one of the locations in would later be known as Operation Yellow Ribbon.
The objective of Canada’s Operation Yellow Ribbon was to drive as much air traffic out of the United States as possible. This would help minimise the possible damage and loss of life that could occur from using the aircraft as a weapon against the U.S. Thus, airports and military bases across Canada opened themselves to planes needing to be grounded in a desire to help their southern neighbours.
After 5 hours of remaining in the planes, the passengers disembarked to be greeted with open arms by the 10,000-person town of Gander. Community centres, churches, schools all housed and fed the “Come From Aways.” After 5 days of hospitality in Gander, the grounded planes and passengers were finally allowed to begin their departure, and on September 16, all diverted planes took off. Come From Away shows the heart behind the generous town that rescues and accepts strangers in a time of crisis.
Twelve actors tell the story of both the Islanders and the Plane People, revealing the fear and uncertainty that came with the terrorist attacks – as well as the profound generosity and compassion of strangers. While some characters and stories are an amalgamation of several people and experiences, others are grounded in true people, such as Captain Beverly Bass, the first female captain for American Airlines; Kevin Tuerff and Kevin Jung, the couple from LA; and Nick and Diane, the couple who met in Gander.
The idea for the show was first conceived by Michael Rubinoff, a Toronto Lawyer and theatre producer. After several meetings with writing teams, he decided that David Hein and Irene Sankoff would bring this story to life. The pair co-wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical after speaking with real Gander residents. They based the musical on their stories and experiences, making for an authentic presentation of human kindness.
Come along and join our pre-audition workshops.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Production Team
Director: Hailey Budd
Musical Director: Keith Willis
Choreographer: Jason Allen-Lane
PRE-AUDITION WORKSHOPS
Launch Night
Come along and hear all about Come From Away – talk through the plot, characters, set and vision. Go through music and dialogue audition pieces
Thursday 16th April 2026, 8pm - 10pm
Gibbons Hall, Harpenden Trust (above the Co-op),
130a Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PU
Workshop 1
Music workshop. Go through all audition pieces in detail and answer any questions
Monday 20th April 2026, 8pm - 10pm
Gibbons Hall, Harpenden Trust (above the Co-op)
Workshop 2
Movement workshop. Music audition pieces.
Thursday 23rd April 2026, 8pm - 10pm
Gibbons Hall, Harpenden Trust (above the Co-op)
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS TO GIBBONS HALL
Please note, there is 3-hour free parking in the Co-Op car park
AUDITIONS
Monday 27th & Thursday 30th April 2026
(Ensemble & Principals - Time slots will be allocated)
Gibbons Hall, Harpenden Trust (above Co-Op), 130 Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PU
PLEASE COMPLETE THE AUDITION FORM BY
11:59pm by 24th April 2026
You may audition for up to TWO specific roles which need to be stated on your audition form.
VIDEO CREDIT: Official London Theatre (2019)