Your dog could star in this Metro Vancouver holiday stage production

Do you think your dog was born to take the stage?

That dream could soon become reality, because a Metro Vancouver theatre is casting a canine for its 2025 holiday production of Annie.

Gateway Theatre in Richmond is looking for the perfect pup to play Sandy, Annie’s loyal sidekick in the beloved Broadway musical.

In the show, Annie rescues Sandy from dogcatchers on the streets of Depression-era New York, and the pair quickly become inseparable.

Sandy not only brings comfort to Annie but also represents her enduring hope, especially in the iconic number “Tomorrow.“

Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

According to the casting notice, the ideal Sandy is a calm, friendly dog who doesn’t startle easily or bark excessively.

They should be comfortable around children, large crowds and loud music, and be able to follow basic commands like sit, stay, come, lie down, and follow.

Auditions take place on Aug. 9 at Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd., Richmond). The show runs from Dec. 11, 2025, to Jan. 3, 2026, with rehearsals starting on Nov. 6.

Gateway Theatre

To be considered, owners must email their submission by July 22 at 11:59 p.m. PST, including:

• The dog’s name and temperament
• A recent photo (or two)
• Any sensitivities (e.g., bright lights or loud sounds)
• Accessibility requests, if applicable

Only dogs from the Lower Mainland will be considered, and only successful applicants will be contacted for an audition slot.

Applicants are encouraged to highlight any special skills or tricks their dog may have.

To apply, email Aldana Padron, office and artistic coordinator, at auditions@gatewaytheatre.com with the subject line: “DOG AUDITION REQUEST – ANNIE.”

The role of Sandy is central to Annie, offering a heartwarming onstage bond between the dog and the title character.

If your pup has the right temperament and a touch of stage presence, this could be their big break.

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