Terce Audition Notice
Theatre Elision is currently seeking singers who are female-presenting and/or connect with the concepts of the “divine feminine” and “mother earth” for our Spring 2026 production of Terce [pronounced “TER-CHA”] by Heather Christian.
We will be casting local singers who are at least 18 years of age and can work on
a non-equity contract.
Show Synopsis
Terce: A Practical Breviary is a radical rethinking of a monastic 9:00 AM mass and an adaptation that reimagines the face of the “Holy Spirit” through the lens of the Divine Feminine. Sung by a choir of caregivers and makers, it is a wild meditation/celebration of the sacred mothers alive in all of us and how that manifests regarding the Earth, each other, and ourselves. Inspired by ideas taken from three female mystics (Julian of Norwich, Hildegard von Bingen, and Robin Wall Kimmerer) this non-narrative song cycle blends new music, neo-soul, and gospel with traditional medieval organum—is percussed with active caretaking and craft making and is danced wildly.
More of an event than a theatrical performance, it is built as an active ritual to celebrate and venerate our feminine alignment with nature and recover from living in the confines of a civilization built to control or ignore it. Terce premiered at the Prototype Festival in NYC in January 2024. It was named a Critic’s Pick by the New York Times and on the lists of Best Theatre in 2024 by both the New York Times and the New Yorker.
There is no soundtrack available for this show, but Heather Christian did an extensive interview
about the production, including two clips which can give you a sense of the show, her vision,
and the music. You can find that media here. We highly recommend viewing this video to evaluate if this is a show that would resonate with you as a performer.
Roles to be Cast
A minimum of 20 choral singers. Some will have featured ensemble or solo vocal segments. Some choral experience would be beneficial but not required. Included in the casting will be a few singer instrumentalists. The instruments to be used are not prescribed, but the original production included electric guitar, bass guitar, cello, violin, flute, bari-sax and percussion.
Approximately 7 singers have been pre-cast.
Audition Dates and Requirements
In person auditions will be held on the following dates and times at Elision Playhouse, 6105 42nd
Avenue North, Crystal MN:
Saturday, July 12th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Sunday, July 13th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
You will be assigned a 50-minute audition block. The group assigned to this time slot will gather to learn a piece from the show. This will not be shared in advance. The group will develop this piece together during the audition slot. Then, singers will be called individually for solo singing. Singers will be released once they're done with their solo portion.
For solo singing, please prepare a designated cut from the show. This link will provide you sheet
music for the cut. If you would like audio of the cut to hear the piece in context, you can find it here.
Because of the interactive nature of this audition process, we will not be able to accept video
submissions.
We expect to cast the production from these auditions without callbacks.
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NOTE THAT WE ARE ONLY CASTING LOCAL ACTORS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS
OF AGE AND CAN WORK ON A NON-EQUITY CONTRACT FOR THIS SHOW.
How to Schedule a Slot
Here are the audition slots currently available. More may be added if slots fill.
Saturday, July 12
Slot 1 – 1:00 – 1:50
Slot 2 – 2:00 – 2:50
Slot 3 – 3:00 – 3:50
Sunday, July 13
Slot 4 – 1:00 – 1:50
Slot 5 – 2:00 – 2:50
Slot 6 – 3:00 – 3:50
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To schedule an audition slot, please email us at theatreelision@gmail.com with the following:
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All audition slots you are available, as well as your top two preferences (slots are listed above)
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Headshot & Resume
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Instruments you play proficiently in performance
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Any choral experience and preferred vocal part
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Any known conflicts during the rehearsal period (provided below). No conflicts can be accepted during tech or performances
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Which of the following you resonate the most with: raspberry, red currant, lentil, radish, rutabaga, leek, lemon, or lime
We will respond to you with your audition slot and ask that you confirm your acceptance. If audition slots fill, we will maintain a wait list and inform you of openings.
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NOTE: Please do not no-show to your audition appointment. In the event of a last-minute cancellation, please email us as soon as possible. No-showing to your audition without notification will likely have an impact on future casting at Theatre Elision.
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Production Information
Director/Designer – Lindsay Fitzgerald
Stage Manager – Laina Grendle
Music Director – Christine Wade
Movement Director – Joni Griffith
Rehearsal Pianist and Music Collaborator – Harrison Wade
Community Coordinator – Megan Halloran
Expected first day of rehearsal – Monday, March 23, 2026.
Rehearsals generally run for 3 hours on weekday evenings and some Saturday mornings. We do not rehearse on Sunday. We will be taking some additional time off the week of Passover and Easter.
Required technical rehearsals – April 24-25 and 27-28, 2026
Dress rehearsal – April 29, 2026
12 Performances – April 30-May 16, 2026
Compensation: $1,800-$2,200 stipend depending on role and time commitment.
We work hard to be an inclusive, supportive and welcoming organization, which includes our
casting process. If this show speaks to you, we encourage you to audition and share your work
with us.
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If you have questions, concerns, or want to know more before submitting for a time slot, please email us at theatreelision@gmail.com.
