AUDITIONS
Currently Casting
Austin Rainbow Theatre is currently casting for THE MANHOLE, part of ART’s new Prism Project—a program dedicated to helping emerging queer playwrights find their voice and bring new works to life. This production will be directed by ART’s Artistic Director, Clinton Williams, and performed for FronteraFest’s short fringe festival.
Please review the details below, if you are interested in auditioning please submit the form at the bottom of the page for an audition slot.
The Manhole
By Max Stern
Performance Date: Thursday, February 5
Tech Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Tech Time: 6:30 PM
“The Manhole” is a campy, surreal, queer coming-of-age dramedy set outside the bathroom of a queer nightclub. Over the course of one uncanny night, Elliot, a young security attendant, encounters figures from his past—teachers, ex-lovers, idols, and even his deceased mother. Blending comedy, camp, spirituality, and emotional revelation, the play explores how queer spaces can become both a sanctuary and a séance—places where we dance with ghosts until we’re ready to let them go.
Character Breakdown
Elliot (Young 20s, Male, The “everyman” w/ queer spice): Emotional anchor of the play, a bathroom security attendant navigating grief and desire over one surreal night.
Serena (Gender/Age Unspecified): Elliot’s witty coworker, grounding the story in the real world of the club.
Drunk Guy 1 (Young/Mid 20s, Male, Queer): Sweet, messy, comedic, with an emotional arc that deepens by the play’s end.
Drunk Guy 2 (Late 20s-Early 40s, Male, Queer): Sarcastic, flirty, and chaotic, guiding Nathan while complicating the dreamscape.
Mrs. Maroni (Mid 40s+, Female): Elliot’s former teacher, kind and nostalgic, a tender presence from his past.
Noema (Female-adjacent, Ethereal, Lavish/Drag): A surreal, celestial pop-star figure, poetic, absurd, and wise.
Frank (Young 20s, Male, Queer): Elliot’s sharp, sassy ex-situationship who reopens past wounds.
Mom (Mid 40s, Female, Same ethnicity as Elliot): Ghostly presence, warm and devastating, the emotional climax of the play.
Audition Details
Dates: Thursday, January 8th. (Our Tuesday January 6th is full)
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM both days
Location: Dougherty Arts Center 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Preparation: Sides will be provided prior to the audition. Please be sure to select which roles you are interested in on the form linked below.
If you have questions please feel free to reach out to us at info@austinrainbowtheatre.org
Audition Submission
Please submit the below form for an audition slot. Once we receive your information we will send a confirmation email with exact audition times. Note that auditions will take place in 15 minute increments but you may be asked to stay longer.
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