Bhagyashree Chatterjee (she/they) is a Vancouver-based journalist and communications expert, holding a Master of Journalism from the University of British Columbia (UBC). She focuses on people-first stories about community, identity, and systems. 

She’s worked with Al Jazeera, Squamish Chief, the Global Reporting Centre, the Canadian Association of Journalists, and Loose Lips Magazine. She also holds certifications in Indigenous Relations and was a recipient of the UBC Faculty of Arts Graduate Award.

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.
<a href="https://www.gatewaytheatre.com/">Gateway Theatre</a> 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 &#8220;Tomorrow.&#8220;
<div id="attachment_2168010" style="width: 2058px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://writer.dailyhive.com/gateway-theatre-dog-audition-annie-2025/washingtondc-19feb2016-therevivaloftheiconic/" rel="attachment wp-att-2168010"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2168010" class="size-full wp-image-2168010" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120.jpg" alt="dog" width="2048" height="1359" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120.jpg 2048w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120-500x332.jpg 500w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120-1536x1019.jpg 1536w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_380389120-1200x796.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></a>Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock</div>
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.
<div id="attachment_2168074" style="width: 1090px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2168074" class="size-full wp-image-2168074" src="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/Dog.png" alt="Dog" width="1080" height="1350" srcset="https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/Dog.png 1080w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/Dog-400x500.png 400w, https://images-dh-production-baselayer.dailyhive.com/uploads/2025/07/Dog-819x1024.png 819w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />Gateway Theatre</div>
To be considered, owners must email their submission by July 22 at 11:59 p.m. PST, including:
<ul>
<li>The dog’s name and temperament</li>
<li>A recent photo (or two)</li>
<li>Any sensitivities (e.g., bright lights or loud sounds)</li>
<li>Accessibility requests, if applicable</li>
</ul>
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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Gateway Theatre is looking for a Metro Vancouver dog to star as Sandy in its 2025 production of Annie. Auditions are on Aug. 9.