Casting Call: Don't Laugh At Me

Casting calls list

Film School

Don't Laugh At Me

Details

Union:

Union or Non union

Area of media:

Film School

Network:

Paid?:

Rates:

Non paid student film

Deadline:

Nov 13, 2026

Auditions:

Self tapes by request

Callbacks:

zoom chemistry read with contending actors

Shooting starts:

Dec 11, 2026

Shooting finishes:

Dec 14, 2026

Shooting locations:

GTA (Toronto/Etobicoke)

Cities for response:

Toronto

Comments

We can accept union and non union actors through Sheridan's agreement with ACTRA. This is a non-paying student film and no permit is required. Actors will receive a copy of the finished film for their demo reel.
- If selected for the project you will need to attend an in-person rehearsal day/wardrobe fitting and be available for all 4 shoot dates.
- Meals and beverages will be provided on the shoot days.
- If transportation is required, we can arrange for a ride for the actor during filming.
- Please let production know in advance if you have allergies or accessibility concerns so we can accommodate you.

Storyline

Teddy, an aspiring young comedian based in Toronto, has been working for free at a comedy club in hopes of getting stage time. When an open spot at an upcoming show for a prominent comedy manager is given to another comic, Teddy will lie, trick, and steal to get on stage, no matter the consequences he may face. Balancing a messy home life, living with his Aunt Kathy and the kids she fosters, Teddy attempts to not only get on stage, but look after his 11-year-old foster sister, Lily.

Don’t Laugh At Me is a fast-paced, chaotic drama/thriller that explores the cost of reckless ambition through demanding lead performances, inspired by characters like Marty Supreme or Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems.

Roles

Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Lead	Teddy	Male 20 - 30 Years old
Description Teddy is an ambitious, charismatic, selfish comedian who believes he is just as great, if not greater than the best comedians of all time. He is tired of being looked over for being too young, inexperienced, or not good enough, and is working constantly to get other people to see him as great as he sees himself.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Rick	Male 40 - 50 Years old
Description Rick is a stern, no-nonsense manager of a comedy club. He has the power to decide which comics get a platform on his stage, and which don’t, and he has no problem abusing this power to get what he wants out of those who want his platform.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Waz	Male 25 - 35 Years old
Description Waz is a cocky, arrogant, Quebecois comedian who has some experience with success in the comedy space. He believes he is better than everyone else and has no problem putting other people down to lift himself up. Quebec Accent Required This character does use prop cigarettes
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Kathy	Female 40 - 60 Years old
Description Kathy is the overworked, overstressed foster mom of four young kids, and caretaker of her stubborn nephew, Teddy. Kathy relies on government cheques from the kids she fosters as her primary source of income, and constantly bickers with Teddy about money, responsibilities, and his place in the household.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Principal	Lily	Female 10 - 14 Years old
Description Lily is a happy, eager, aspiring young actress who values spending time with her foster family, especially Teddy, whom she looks up to as he actively works in the entertainment industry. Despite being very well-behaved, she does have a mischievous side to her and is willing to go along with any schemes or plans if it means she gets to spend more time with Teddy.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Irving Zimmerman	Male 40 - 55 Years old
Description Irving Zimmerman is one of the biggest comedy managers in the world, looking to constantly expand his list of clientele to the best comedians any city has to offer. He is kind and very sociable, as he is always looking to network with new talent.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Comedian #1	Male 20 - 40 Years old
Description Comedian #1 is loud, obnoxious, and has found moderate success in the local comedy scene. Because of his moderate success, he wants to keep his spot as a big fish in a small pond, so he tries to gatekeep opportunities from younger comics.
Role type	Role	Gender & Age range
Actor	Comedian #2	Male 20 - 40 Years old
Description Comedian #2 is just starting to find success in the comedy scene. He has a big ego and is letting his newfound success get to his head.

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