Leo Veltman - (25-40) A provocative artist, in a relationship with Evan, about to unveil a new interactive exhibit “Hit Me”. Charismatic and intellectual, he is the public facing half of their creative partnership. The roles of Leo and Evan are written as men but are open to all genders. These roles include intimate scenes between each other.

Evan - (20-40) A dedicated performance artist and the voice of “Hit Me” which consists of breathing and moaning. He is in a relationship with Leo, and seeks connection and satisfaction through his work and curiosity towards others, pushing himself to extremes. The roles of Leo and Evan are written as men but are open to all genders. These roles include intimate scenes between each other. This role may include scenes with partial nudity (e.g. exposed back and limbs).

Cecelia - (20-40) A nervous regular at the “Hit Me” exhibit who becomes increasingly confident and erratic within its contained environment. The role of Cecelia is written as a woman but is open to all genders.

Rohit Desai, a 19-year-old international student from Mumbai, India studying advertising at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, faces the challenges of adapting to a new culture and demanding academic requirements. Balancing his studies with a part-time job, Rohit experiences stress, compounded by homesickness and cultural adjustments. Despite these challenges, he maintains a close relationship with his mother, Meera, who resides in India. They share a strong bond, talking on the phone daily, and Meera provides unwavering support, though she worries about Rohit's well-being as he navigates the complexities of education in Canada.

Pakistani. Sweet, smart, a bit goofy, right on the cusp of becoming a man. Loyal to his friends. Lives with his mom and sister in Regent. Keeps his head down and avoids conflict whenever possible, especially with his mother, who’s intent on marrying him to his cousin in Pakistan - who’s as uninterested in the engagement as he is. Misses his late father and resents having been left to be the future head of the house. Diplomatic. Has an open, honest, guileless face, unable to mask his thoughts and feelings, a quality that sometimes gets him in trouble, especially with his nemesis Omar. Feels out of place except on the basketball court. Basketball experience an asset.

Somali. Fawad’s best friend. Soulful and gangly. Big but a little awkward in his physicality. Traumatized by the murder of his older brother. Torn between feelings of revenge and a deeper truth. Searching for meaning in the violence that surrounds him and finding his voice as a poet. Loyal and supportive of his friends, particularly Fawad. Basketball experience an asset.

Bangladeshi. Fawad’s other best friend. The most worldly of the three. Always the first to step in and defend his friends. Charismatic, as stylish in denim as he is thobe and topi. A natural performer. Has a beautiful voice that effortlessly expresses the recitation of the Quran. Close to his older cousin Nazmul and has a foot in the world of older boys and their crews. Basketball experience an asset.

Somali. Yousuf’s older brother. Protector of the three boys. An uncle figure to Fawad since his dad died. A natural athlete with an easy disposition. Known and respected Regent Park community volunteer with a foot in the gang world. Basketball experience an asset.

Somali. Fawad’s nemesis on and off the court. Tough guy rebelling against his disappointed father, the respected local imam. Proud, physically imposing, naturally athletic, the budding leader of a crew. Basketball experience an asset.

Pakistani. Fawad’s older sister. Confident at home and in the outside world. Firmly Canadian in her sensibilities. Her mother’s translator. She knows who she is. Sometimes at odds with her mother over their divergent worldviews, though always loving. Fawad’s consul and ally at home. Protective of her brother.

Pakistani. Fawad’s mom. The family’s sole breadwinner. A widow determined to keep her family together in a land she finds alien and harsh. Her strong, traditional values clash with those of her children who grew up in Canada. Determined to marry Fawad to her brother’s daughter, despite his resistance. She harbors a fear of being abandoned by her children as they adopt secular Canadian values.

Emile is a high school grad. He's got good people around him. But he's also a determined guy. He's willing to do anything and everything to get what he wants. In this case, he wants to capture the future he sees in a picture. And I do mean literally everything. There is an obsessive nature to Emile. But his obsession is second to those he cares about. Note: Character name/description is male, but will be changed depending gender of the actor playing them.

Piper is Emile's girlfriend. She is the most level-headed of the group. She is the most apprehensive regarding the future picture. And once she sees what it does to Emile, she's the first member of the group to start worrying. She is the one member of the group to crack the least amount of jokes, showing that she is more of the voice of reason. But she's not completely stuck up. She's willing to kick back and let loose with her favorite people. She has also just been accepted into the university of her dreams. Note: character name/description is that of a female but will be changed depending on the gender of the actor. Since this is a secondary role, it is possible only two shoot days will be necessary for this part.

Jason is Emile's roommate. There is a sense that even though they only live together, they have a close relationship. Jason is a carefree, happy-go-lucky jokester and is willing to poke fun at his roommate. The only time Jason sheds his jokester skin is when he sees what the picture is doing to Emile. He cares too much about his roommate to see him give up everything for the sake of a picture that he doesn't know will even come to be. Note: Character name/description is male, but will be changed depending on the gender the actor playing them. Since this is a secondary role there is a possibility only two shoot days are required for this part.

All Ethnicities. A natural ease, confidence, and warm energy. Talent will demonstrate the application of the product on the skin, on both arms and legs. Non-Speaking.

A crazy, grumpy and violent old veteran who is tough enough to fight a bear in his wheelchair. But behind this fearless reputation, he is a broken man. Mr. Miller is committed to making a hell of his new caregiver's life, but ends up learning to respect and trust in the young man.

An insecure, immature and socially awkward video game nerd who is trapped in the friendzone with his crush. He gets a job as caregiver for a crazy old veteran who makes a hell of his life, but ends up teaching him an important lesson about empathy.

Oliver’s best friend and his crush. Cheerful and smart, Mia is his best source of encouragement, but doesn't hesitate to stand up to him when he is being immature. she learns to admire Oliver even more after witnessing his growth as Mr. Miller's caregiver

Theo has been secluded in his grandmother’s home for as long as he’s known. He is quiet, observant, and lonely - with a slowly festering desire for freedom. There’s something heavy about the way he talks, knowing yet naive, like a child prophet. Written as male but we are doing an open-gendered casting call. ROLE REQUIRES: Having wrists and ankles tied with yarn, walking around ‘like a marionette’ - a method for the Grandmother to monitor his movements. Must be able to whistle.

Theo's grandmother runs a carefully calibrated life in her parlour, exactingly specific about the details of her environment, terrified of the people and places of the outside world. Keeps her grandson close by, strictly limiting his movements beyond their home. He takes care of her precarious health, bringing her pills and medicine delivered to their door. ROLE REQUIRES: Violent coughing, crawling on floor, slipping to floor from armchair. Fake blood coming from mouth in one scene.