If you're an actor looking for a satisfying and challenging role to sink your teeth into Tauranga's 16th Avenue Theatre has the opportunity for you.

The company needs seven actors for its upcoming production of Joyful and Triumphant and invites all actors wanting a challenge to audition at 16th Ave Theatre today, from 5pm to 7.30pm.

16th Avenue Theatre is holding auditions for its upcoming production of Robert Lord's ‘Joyful and Triumphant' today, from 5pm to 7.30pm. The show was first staged by Wellington's Circa Theatre in 1992 (pictured). Photo: Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards Trust.

Written by the late Kiwi playwright Robert Lord, Joyful and Triumphant won the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for Best Production and its author also took Playwright of the Year in 1992.

This modern classic tells the story of the Bishop Family while at the same time dissecting New Zealand's culture from 1949 to 1989.

The show's director and well-known local actor Geraldine Broderick says the Bishop's tale is told through a series of scenes set on Christmas Day over the 40 year period, starting at 8am and ending at 10pm.

'While it talks about the Bishop's family fortunes over that time, it also weaves in events and the changes taking place in New Zealand from 1949 to 1989,” explains Geraldine.

'This play is very funny and very poignant and talks about all sorts of things – racism, sexism, mixed marriages, the role of mothers and fathers and sons and daughters, it's a very interesting work.

'From an actor's perspective it's also extremely interesting because the characters age, so that will be a challenge. It makes Joyful and Triumphant very much an actors' piece.”

When 16th Ave approached Geraldine to direct one of its shows this year, she says Joyful and Triumphant immediately sprung to mind.

She was involved in Napier Repertory Theatre's 1994 production of the show, which she describes as a thoroughly exciting experience and one that's left an indelible mark on her since.

'For me, the play also shows a ‘New Zealand' that I remember while growing up. So much of it echoed things I had known in my own family, my friends' and what I saw around me.”

Seven actors will be required to stage Joyful and Triumphant this November – five women and two men.

For the female roles two women aged 50 and older, two women in their late 20's-30's, and one female in their late-teens will be needed. As for the male roles, Geraldine is after one man who is over 50, and one man over 30.

Geraldine says today will be run as a 'group audition” because to stage a play like Joyful and Triumphant you need to see the dynamics between actors.

'The auditions start at 5pm and hopefully we'll get enough people to do a read through of the script and see how it all pans out.

'It's important to note that the Bishop family is representative of white New Zealand and I'd really like to cast a group of actors which looks like a family.”

While knowing a little bit of New Zealand's history from 1942 to 1989 would be helpful it's not a hard-and-fast requirement.

'If you're interested do come along and audition and see what it's like, I'd love to see as many people as possible.”

Auditions for Joyful and Triumphant, directed by Geraldine Broderick, will be held at 16th Avenue Theatre today, from 5pm to 7.30pm.

For information or to book your place email director Geraldine Broderick at: geraldinekiwi@gmail.com