Auditions & Opportunities

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Volunteers are needed in every area of the organization from administration to Board and production, on stage and behind the scenes – email Barbe@merrillartscenter.org if you’re interested in volunteering.

Auditions:

If you’re looking to get back into theater without giving up 8 weeks of evenings, this is it. Re-ignite your love of theater and remember why you loved it in the first place!

MAC Page to Stage Program:
Annual New Play Festival 2025 presents readings at the end of February. No memorization or blocking. 2 evening rehearsals per week for 2 public readings. Audience members and participating artists will be invited to vote for which play will be produced in the fall. One world premiere will be produced in the MAC Black Box each fall.

Auditions: November 22 & December 6, 2025

Auditions are open to adult men and women. No registration fee.
If all audition appointments are full, show up early, and we will fit you into a no-show slot. We generally have about 1/3 no-shows.
For auditions, please bring 2 contrasting monologues of 1-2 minutes each. Monologues do not need to be memorized, as auditions are for readings.

RED PLANET – By Thomas D. Nelson

Directed by Mark Monfils

Red Planet is a ridiculous dark comedy taking place on Mars in the distant future of 1970. After being sent to Mars on a top-secret mission, hardworking scientist Fieldman and well-meaning engineer Sudds are finding it harder and harder to get along. However, once Hoover, the head of the Martian space mission, sends two slightly dangerous and malfunction-prone murder robots to the Martian base, Fieldman and Sudds will have to work together to fight for survival on the Red Planet.

Fieldman (M) – An unsympathetic and work-focused scientist.
Sudds (M/F) – A talkative and naively friendly engineer.
Wayne (M) – A stowaway. Vanessa’s idiot lover.
Vanessa (F) – A stowaway. Wayne’s idiot lover.
Hoover (M) – The strict head of the martian base.
Steve (M) – A chill guy named Steve.
Kassandra (F) – A murderous robotic maid.
Karter (M) – A murderous robotic professional chef.
Reese (M/F) – A genius mad scientist with advanced tech.
Diane (M/F) – An old conspiracy nut obsessed with Communists.
Annie Ivy (F) – The Martian bunker’s A.I.

ELSINORE – By Emma Kessler

Directed by John Potter

Singers should perform 36 measures of a folk song a cappella or accompanied on guitar.

Elsinore is a southern gothic retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set in the 1930s American Dust Bowl. Hamlet Ellis Jr., an heir-turned-aspiring playwright, is tasked with avenging his father’s murder with the help of his friend, Horatio Clements. The play retains much of what makes the original Hamlet so timeless—intrigue, grief, love, and revenge—while adjusting to its new setting’s social, political, and religious climate.

Hamlet Ellis Jr. – 20s, an aspiring playwright and heir to the Ellis fortune
Claude Ellis – 50s-60s, Hamlet’s uncle
Gertrude “Trudy” Ellis – 50s-60s, Hamlet’s mother
Horatio Clements – 20s, Hamlet’s best friend from college
Rev. Paul Simmons – 50s-60s, local pastor
Ophelia Simmons – late teens to early 20s, Reverend Simmons’ daughter
Levi Simmons – 20s, Reverend Simmons’ son and brother to Ophelia
Frieda Rosencrantz – 20s, Hamlet’s friend from college
Kurt Guildenstern – 20s, Hamlet’s friend from college
Bernie – a local farmer, portrayed by the same actor as Gravedigger One
Frank – another farmer, portrayed by the same actor as Gravedigger Two
Ghost
Actors – Player Wife, Husband, Murderer
Staff – Members of Ellis family staff
Townspeople
The Ghost and Claude may be portrayed by the same actor. Ensemble cast members may portray multiple roles as Actors, Staff, and Townspeople.

Rehearsals – Jan-Feb, 2 evening rehearsals per week selected by Director.

Performances – Two performances per script between Feb 15 – 28, on Sat, Sun, or Mon assigned at the beginning of process, based on actor conflicts.

AUDITION SIGN-UP: CLICK HERE

Rapunzel Auditions

Auditions: February 22nd, 2025 @1:00pm-2:00pm

-Auditions will be at 380 Rivertown Drive, Suite 200 in Woodbury. Rehearsals will be at The Black Box Theater, Door 7, East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Performances are all matinees, the last weekend in May and first weekend in June at The Loft at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Unless enough kids audition for a double cast, kids will need to be available for all performances and technical rehearsals.

Rehearsals: Fridays (6-8:30pm) and Saturdays (1-4pm) the end of February, all of March (not during Spring Break), all of April (not Easter weekend).

Load in (with parents) April 12;
No rehearsal during Spring Break March 9-14 or Easter April 3-5;
Tech Rehearsals: April 20-24, 6-9pm;
Performances at 2pm April 24-25 & May 2-3.

AUDITION SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

Dragons Love Tacos Auditions

– By-Kids, For-Kids. For little actors ages 5-9.
Directed by Lydia Jagodzinski
Are you ready for a TACO party? This spring, students will bring the beloved story Dragons Love Tacos to life on stage! In this fun and interactive theater class, students will learn the basics of acting, teamwork, and stage performance through games, creative activities, and rehearsals. Together, we’ll build confidence, explore imagination, and put on a delightful show filled with dragons, tacos, and laughter. Join us for a fun-filled theater experience you won’t want to miss!

Placement Auditions 9:30-11:30am, February 21 at Merrill Arts Center, 380 Rivertown Drive, Suite 200 in Woodbury
Registration Fee $169.00 or $149.00 for signing up two actors at once.
Rehearsals will be Saturday mornings 9:30-11:30am at the MAC Black Box – Feb 28, Mar 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18
Tech Tuesday and Thursday, April 21 & 23 4:30pm-7pm (pack dinner) at the MAC Black Box –
Performances 1pm April 25, 26 and May 2, 3.
Strike follows May 3 show
Questions? Contact Lydia at lydiajagodzinski@gmail.com

AUDITION SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

Willy Wonka Jr. Auditions

Auditions: June 15th, 2026 @6:00pm-8:30pm

-Auditions will be at 380 Rivertown Drive, Suite 200 in Woodbury. Rehearsals will be at The Black Box Theater, Door 7, East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Performances are all matinees, the last weekend in July and first weekend in August at The Loft at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Unless enough kids audition for a double cast, kids will need to be available for all performances and technical rehearsals.

Rehearsals: Monday through Thursday the middle of June through July; 6-8:30pm, (to 10pm for adults)

Load in (with parents) July 11th;
Tech Rehearsals: July 20-24, 6-9pm;
Performances at 2pm July 25-26 & August 1-2

AUDITION SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

Junie B. Jones in ‘Jingle Bells, Batman Smells’ Auditions

Auditions: September 9, 2026 @1:00pm-4:30pm

Rehearsals: Fridays (6-8:30pm) and Saturdays (1-4pm) September & October

Load in (with parents) October 12;
Tech Rehearsals: October 12-15, 6-10:30pm;
Performances at 2pm October 17-18 & 24-25.

AUDITION SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

Madeline’s Christmas 2026 – Adult & Child Auditions

-Auditions will be at 380 Rivertown Drive, Suite 200 in Woodbury. Rehearsals will be at The Black Box Theater, Door 7, East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Performances are all matinees, the first 2 weekends in December at The Loft at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Unless enough girls audition for a double cast, kids will need to be available for all performances and technical rehearsals.

Rehearsals: Monday through Thursday in October (not during MEA); Mondays through Fridays in November (not Thanksgiving); 6-9pm, (to 10pm for adults)

Load in (with parents)
No rehearsal during MEA or Thanksgiving
Tech Rehearsals: the first week in December, M-F 6-9pm; to 10:30pm for adults
Performances at 2pm, the first two Saturdays and Sundays in December. Tea party performances 12:30-1:30 prior to Saturday matinees. Madeline, Miss Clavel, and Madeline’s school classmates attend tea parties.

Auditions in August, 2026.
Audition link and signup will be posted in May, 2026.

Staff

Employee, Contractor, Internships, and Volunteer positions open

Production. Directors, Stage Managers, Sound Designers, Costume Designers, Props Designers, Set Designers, Box Office Personnel, Front of House Managers, Board Ops – ongoing search for experienced personnel for future productions. Contractor, Internships, Volunteer. Send resume, cover letter, 3 references, fee range/expectation, bio and headshot to Barbe@merrillartscenter.org

Administration & Production: Administrative Assistant. Fundraiser. Program Manager. – Part-Time, On-Site, Employee – ongoing search for experienced personnel to support programs. Send resume, cover letter, 3 references, and salary range to Barbe@merrillartscenter.org