Lois – Amber Toole attended a Northern Stage open audition in 2024. Now, she is bringing her debut one-woman show Post Traumatic Slay Disorder to Stage 3 as part of our Autumn 2025 season. We chatted to Lois about her open auditions experience…
What did you perform at the open audition?
I performed an extract from my one person show Post Traumatic Slay Disorder, which will debut as part of the Autumn season at Northern Stage.
How did you find the experience?
The audition process was organised and informative, and created a supporting environment. The panel were inviting and engaging, and made me feel grounded in my work. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with those who attended my audition, and look forward to seeing more emerging talent from the open call.
What advice would you give to anyone considering attending an open audition?
Don’t think twice and don’t be intimidated by the space! (I didn’t wear my glasses for this reason). The team from door to door are lovely, and you never know what connections you might make on the day, whether that be in the waiting room or out on stage!
Why are you excited to bring Post Traumatic Slay Disorder to Northern Stage?
I came to Northern Stage on a school trip to see Apples by Richard Milward, and fell in love with the space. Performing my own show on a stage that has influenced my passion has been a full circle moment, and Northern Stage will be a creative hub that I will always return to.
Open Auditions always delivers lots of surprises, introducing you to actors you’ve never met before. But I wasn’t expecting to find some programming during last year’s open auditions. Not only did we meet Lois – who was such a charismatic actor – but she auditioned with her own original work, an excerpt from Post Traumatic Slay Disorder. It was such a brilliant monologue that it really caught our attention. Flash forward a year and we’re delighted to have supported Lois to make that work, nominated her as an artist at Venues North and have Post Traumatic Slay Disorder as part of our Autumn programme
Natalie Ibu, Artistic Director – Northern Stage
Sign up for an audition
Northern Stage is hosting our yearly round of open auditions at our city centre building on 13, 14 & 15 June 2025 with the addition of creative pitches on 20 & 21 June.
Find out more here.