Auditions for Sruti Bhedham & Broken Note

Written By Basab Pradhan

BROKEN NOTE & ஸ்ருதி பேதம்

A Musical Drama

Written by Anand Raghav

Directed by Dheepa Ramanujam

Separate shows in Tamil and English

English translation by Dheepa Ramanujam

Mar 13-21, 2026

Sunnyvale Theatre

Set in Tamil Nadu between the 1950s and 1990s, Broken Note (Sruti Bhedham) follows Nithya, a gifted Carnatic vocalist. Her father, a celebrated Carnatic music maestro, never publicly acknowledged Nithya’s mother. Raised in the shadow of his towering fame — and denied his love or even acknowledgement — Nithya grows up with simmering resentment. She chooses music — the very art that made him a legend — as her weapon of defiance. With relentless determination, she trains to surpass him on his own stage. But will she be able to conquer her own inner demons?

Broken Note (Sruti Bhedham)  is a poignant drama that explores how music can wound, transform and ultimately heal.

Sruti Bhedham (ஸ்ருதி பேதம்) was originally written in Tamil. Broken Note is the English translation of the same play. The play will be staged in Tamil and English as separate shows.

AUDITIONS

In-person Auditions will be held on Nov 8 & 9 at BADCo’s studio in Santa Clara.

The last date for submitting Audition Forms is Nov 2.

Monologue Auditions - November 8th 

You may audition for roles in the Tamil show, the English show, or both. You can also audition for multiple roles. Based on what you select (language, roles) in the Audition Form you will be sent one or two monologues. Please prepare to deliver these monologues for your audition. The monologues must be delivered from memory.

The link to the Audition Form is at the end of this post below.

Call Backs - November 9th

You will be reading scenes with co-actors.

If you have acted in any of the recent BADCo productions, you can skip the monologue audition and come directly for the Call Backs. But you still need to fill out the Audition Form. 

If you are not available for Auditions on Nov 8th/ 9th - do reach out to us. If the parts you are interested in are still open, we may schedule a separate audition for you or have you submit a self tape.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 

Zoom rehearsals - From Nov 11 to 23, Zoom rehearsals will be held for actors, one on one with the director.

In person rehearsals - From Jan 10 - Mar 8, 2026 in-person rehearsals will be held at the BADCo rehearsal studio in Santa Clara.

To be considered for a role, you MUST BE available for all the in-person rehearsals. The rehearsal schedule will be shared with the cast on Nov 10.

Tech week will be from Mar 9-12, 2026

Show dates are March 13-21, 2026

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

All roles require fluency in Tamil, or English with an Indian accent.

  1. NITHYA  - Protagonist - Carnatic Vocalist ;  Age range on stage - Late 20s - 50s (spans timeline from 1950s-1995); Knowledge of any Indian classical music / vocal training / Singing ability is a PLUS

  2. YOUNG NITHYA - Protagonist - Age range on Stage - 10 -18 years;  Singing ability is a plus;  Should be able to speak Tamil fluently or, for the English show, English with a clean Indian accent.

  3. ILAYANKUDI PANCHAPAKESAN - Leading Role - Carnatic Musician; Age Range on Stage - Late 30s - 70s; Knowledge of any Indian classical music / vocal training / Singing ability is a PLUS

  4. KALYANI - Supporting Role - Bharatanatyam Dancer / Housewife; Age Range on Stage - Late 30s - 60s; Bharatanatyam or classical dance background is a PLUS.  

  5. AMBHI -  Supporting Role - Family Confidante/Assistant; Age Range on stage - Late 30s - 70s (spans entire timeline)

  6. RAMANATHAN - Supporting Role - Music Connoisseur; Age Range - 40s - 50s

  7. SABHA SECRETARY - Supporting Role - Runs a Cultural organization; Age Range - 40s - 60s

  8. PRAVEENA - Supporting Role - Neighbor; Age Range - 40s - 60s

  9. OFFICE MANAGER - Supporting Role -  Fan of Panchapakesan; Age Range - Late 30s

  10. MUSIC TEACHER - Supporting Role - Mentor/Guru of Nithya; Age Range - 50s - 60s

  11. INTERVIEWER - Opening Role - Arts Magazine Interviewer; Age Range - 30s - 40s

  12. JOURNALIST - Supporting Role; Age Range - 30s - 40s

Audition Form

If you would like to be part of the play in any other capacity (Lights, Music, Makeup, Costumes, Backstage Crew, Sets Crew)  please write to us at info@bayareadrama.company

Sruti Bhedham / Broken Note needs a strong Makeup and Costumes team. New volunteers are welcome!

Basab Pradhan
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On Stage: Circuit B