Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Tour
Network:
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
$700/Wk
Deadline:
July 12, 2025
Cities for response:
Toronto
Comments
Come Audition to be a Serenader at Smile Theatre for our 2025 Fall Session!
Audition Dates: July 10 – 15
Contract Dates: September 8 – November 2, 2025
Fees:
Core Serenader
Full-time Contract, minimum 35 hours per week guaranteed ($700). Calls are generally Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, and Saturdays between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and occasional evening bookings.
Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Please specify your availability
Contact:
Performance Resume, headshot, and brief cover letter to Cassandra McCarthy, Serenades Director serenades@smiletheatre.com
Context:
Smile Theatre is a registered charity based in Toronto, and is Canada’s only professional theatre company dedicated to performing for seniors and those living in care environments. In operation since 1972, Smile has been creating and touring small scale musical theatre productions to Retirement Residences, Long Term Care homes, Hospitals, Seniors’ Centres throughout Toronto, Ontario and across Canada. Smile Serenades is a program developed to deliver performance and engagement to isolated seniors in care.
We Serenade in a number of different locales:
Centre for Addictions Mental Health
Visits to a number of units at North America’s largest mental health hospital.
Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Home Visits & Long Term Care
2-hour Roving Serenades sessions in Long Term Care, and visits to individuals’ homes.
Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
Community Day Programs
One hour serenades sessions that include improv skills and story-building engagement.
Variable call times throughout the week.
Approach:
– Focused on caring for our audiences through excellence in performance engagement, and committed to growth and improvement
– Is prepared, and takes responsibility for personal performance quality
– Is on time, and respectful of the time of fellow artists and our care partners and audiences
– Takes initiative in the positive development of the program in collaboration with the Serenades Coordinator and Creative Team
– Takes leadership when called upon to do so
– Supports and encourages the leadership of fellow artists
– Brings a positive, willing and eager attitude to rehearsals, serenades, performances and meetings
– Actively and willingly collaborates with other artists to problem solve or troubleshoot in difficult situations
– Remains aware of what fellow artists and each audience member might need, and is ready to assist
– Respects audience members, staff and fellow artists.
Smile Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to building an organization that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people; disabled people; youth; and members of other equity seeking groups.
Audition Dates: July 10 – 15
Contract Dates: September 8 – November 2, 2025
Fees:
Core Serenader
Full-time Contract, minimum 35 hours per week guaranteed ($700). Calls are generally Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, and Saturdays between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and occasional evening bookings.
Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Please specify your availability
Contact:
Performance Resume, headshot, and brief cover letter to Cassandra McCarthy, Serenades Director serenades@smiletheatre.com
Context:
Smile Theatre is a registered charity based in Toronto, and is Canada’s only professional theatre company dedicated to performing for seniors and those living in care environments. In operation since 1972, Smile has been creating and touring small scale musical theatre productions to Retirement Residences, Long Term Care homes, Hospitals, Seniors’ Centres throughout Toronto, Ontario and across Canada. Smile Serenades is a program developed to deliver performance and engagement to isolated seniors in care.
We Serenade in a number of different locales:
Centre for Addictions Mental Health
Visits to a number of units at North America’s largest mental health hospital.
Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Home Visits & Long Term Care
2-hour Roving Serenades sessions in Long Term Care, and visits to individuals’ homes.
Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
Community Day Programs
One hour serenades sessions that include improv skills and story-building engagement.
Variable call times throughout the week.
Approach:
– Focused on caring for our audiences through excellence in performance engagement, and committed to growth and improvement
– Is prepared, and takes responsibility for personal performance quality
– Is on time, and respectful of the time of fellow artists and our care partners and audiences
– Takes initiative in the positive development of the program in collaboration with the Serenades Coordinator and Creative Team
– Takes leadership when called upon to do so
– Supports and encourages the leadership of fellow artists
– Brings a positive, willing and eager attitude to rehearsals, serenades, performances and meetings
– Actively and willingly collaborates with other artists to problem solve or troubleshoot in difficult situations
– Remains aware of what fellow artists and each audience member might need, and is ready to assist
– Respects audience members, staff and fellow artists.
Smile Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to building an organization that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people; disabled people; youth; and members of other equity seeking groups.
Storyline
Smile Serenades is a special performance program for seniors and people living in care settings. Performances are a joyful visit by the Smile Serenaders – roving performers, who sing and interact with patients or residents of Care Homes, Hospitals, or other Care Settings.
Music happens in common areas, hallways, memory care floors, and room to room. Bright songs and lively exchanges are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!
Music happens in common areas, hallways, memory care floors, and room to room. Bright songs and lively exchanges are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Lead | Core Serenader (3 Positions) | All |
Description The Core Serenader is a dynamic singer/actor/performer. They are an energetic and positive performing artist that can sing and is adept at acting improv, and have an interest in connecting with seniors and those who live in care environments. They preferably can self-accompany on an instrument, though it is not required. Performers who are multilingual are especially encouraged to apply. They are available for performances and engagements 35hrs/weekThe Core Serenader collaborates with other ensemble members on creating and offering ongoing musical performances to seniors in a variety of contexts, including care homes, hospitals, seniors’ centres, outdoors and online. They are creative, flexible, able to work both collaboratively in group settings, and independently. The Core Serenader is willing and able to take leadership when called upon to do so, and also support and encourage the leadership of others. They are true ensemble members. Most importantly, the Core Serenader is a positive, caring, genuine, creative individual, willing and eager to give time and attention to isolated seniors and people in care settings, and creatively collaborate with fellow artists. | ||