The Effect
A play about love, dopamine, and what we choose to believe.
Now Casting: The Effect by Lucy Prebble
Two strangers volunteer for a clinical drug trial and fall in love, but is what they feel real, or just chemistry? A play about the brain, the heart, and everything in between.
We're casting four roles:
Dr. James (35–45): Composed, intelligent, quietly authoritative. Beneath her professional exterior lies a woman carrying her own emotional weight. Seeking quiet authority, subtlety, restraint, and emotional depth, the ability to reveal vulnerability beneath a controlled exterior.
Dr. Sealey (38–50): Genuinely believes his work can change lives; driven by optimism and ambition. Warm, engaging and persuasive, he inspires trust even as his belief in progress blinds him to the consequences of his choices. Seeking natural charisma, warmth and intelligence, someone you want to believe every word they say.
Connie (20–30): Witty, observant and emotionally guarded. She longs for connection but struggles to surrender control, making her journey one of vulnerability, self-discovery and unexpected feelings. Seeking warmth, playful energy and emotional honesty. Strong chemistry with Tristan is essential.
Tristan (25–35): Embraces life with curiosity and ease. Charming without trying, he trusts his instincts and isn't afraid of vulnerability. Beneath his carefree nature is someone searching for where he truly belongs. Seeking playful energy, authenticity, emotional openness, and true, undeniable magnetism that never feels forced.
Join the Crew
REVEAL Theatre is a community of makers, dreamers, and doers building independent theatre in Amsterdam. Join the team behind our 2026/2027 production: lighting & sound, stage management, costume & make-up, set & prop design, visual design, choreography, photography, and more.
How does the audition process works
Apply below and you'll be sent a scene to prepare and record as a self-tape (due August 18th). If selected, you'll be invited to an in-person audition at the end of August with a new scene to prepare.
Performances: April 15, 16 & 17, 2027 (Thu–Sat) at Het Amsterdams Theaterhuis, with a tech rehearsal on Thursday April 8. Rehearsals begin October 2026 in Amsterdam.
Self-tapes due August 18th, 2026.
Esmeralda Sallaku is a Greek film & theatre actor and director based in the Netherlands.
Esmeralda is a highly artistic person. Her love for theatre and storytelling flows from her Greek blood, a land where theatre is a strong part of cultural life and where she first stepped onto the stage.
After moving to Amsterdam, she has spent the past four years training in acting and production.
Alongside theatre, she has directed a documentary and produced short films.
This will be the first year Esmeralda directs with RÈVEAL. Theatre Amsterdam, with its focus on the stage, where theatre creates a more direct and deeper human connection.
Meet the Director
I can't afford the participation fee. Can I still apply?
Yes, please do. Whether or not you can pay has no bearing on casting decisions. If the fee isn't possible for you, we can discuss working out another way for you to contribute to the production.
Why do we ask for a participation fee?
Producing independent theatre to a high standard isn't cheap. Rehearsal space, the venue, costumes, rights, lighting and sound, & marketing materialspaying all add up to more than ticket sales alone bring in.
REVEAL doesn't receive external funding and cast and crew are all contributing the same fee, so each production carries real financial risk on its own. The participation fee is how our whole company, cast, crew, and creative team alike, shares that cost.
Why does REVEAL ask cast and crew to help spread the word?
We're a small independent company without a marketing budget (if we do online ads, it is paid by the cast and crew), so word of mouth is how most people find us. When cast and crew invite their own circles, friends, family, colleagues, it fills the room, builds a real sense of community around the show, and helps us keep making theatre going forward.
What's the rehearsal commitment?
Rehearsals start October 2026 in Amsterdam (with a month off over the holidays) and take place on evenings and weekends. Because this is a small ensemble cast, we need people who can attend consistently. If regular evening or weekend availability isn't realistic for you right now, we'd suggest waiting for a future production.
Do I need prior experience to join the crew?
Not at all. We welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced crew. Just note your experience level on the form.
The Effect deals with some heavy material. What should I know going in?
The play touches on mental health, depression, clinical drug trials, emotional distress, romantic relationships, on-stage kissing, and sexual themes. There's a space on the form to flag any boundaries or concerns you'd like us to know about.
If I'm not cast, is there another way to be involved?
Yes. The audition form asks whether you'd like to be considered for the creative team if you're not cast, so there's still a path in.
Will my photo or video be used to promote the show?
If you're cast, yes. Your image may appear in promotional materials, including photos, video, social media, and print.
How does the audition process actually work?
Apply through the form, and you'll be sent a scene to prepare and self-tape (due August 18th). If you're selected from that round, we'll invite you to an in-person audition at the end of August with a different scene.