Illusion theater auditions for spring 2027

AUDITIONS for Illusion Theater's spring productions (Keepin' It Real & Everybody's Favorite Mothers)

WHEN 

Sunday, October 25 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

 WHERE 

Illusion Theater at the Center for Performing Arts 

3754 Pleasant Ave. South Ste. 321w 

Minneapolis, MN 55409 

There is free street parking in the neighborhood. 

Please enter the main lobby doors on 38th Street and go to the third floor. 

SEEKING

AEA and Non-union actors for: 

Keeping it Real 

(7) Male/Female/Non-Binary, White & BIPOC Actors – union or non-union; ages 18-25; 

Everybody's Favorite Mothers 

(1) 20’s. Cis-Gay Male or Male-presenting, of Jewish heritage 

(1): 50’s-60’s, Cis- Female, of Jewish heritage 

(1) 50’s-60’s, Cis-Male, Of Jewish Heritage 

(1): 20’s, White, Cis-Gay Male or Male-presenting 

 (1): 20’s, Cis-Gay Female or Female-presenting, BIPOC 

(1) Any gender; BIPOC actors encouraged to apply 

TO RESERVE AN AUDITION TIME: 

Please prepare a 2 minute contemporary monologue.  

You can sign up for an audition slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EA5AA29A5F9C43-66724964-auditions  Headshots & Resumes may be emailed to Tree O'Halloran at tohalloran@illusiontheater.org. 

ABOUT THE PLAYS 

Keeping it Real 

Illusion Theater's Educational Tour encompasses all the frankness, fun and failure that happens in high school. This interactive performance piece is built from stories of older teens who tell their truths to younger teens.  Over the course of the performance the teen audience gets to interact and discuss how they would act if they were in the situation, deepening the impact and long-term benefits of the work. This production is performed in Illusion Theater's space in The Center for Performing Arts and also tours to local and regional junior high schools. 

Rehearsals: February 15 - 21, 2027 

Performance: February 22 - March 12, 2027 

Character Descriptions: 

Keepin It Real is an ensemble production and actors will play a variety of roles including high school students, teachers, and parents. 

Everybody's Favorite Mothers by James Still 

A theatrical celebration of unconditional love and unlikely activism that started in the summer of 1972 when one mother marched in a parade with her gay son. Jeanne Manford and her husband Jules went on to co-found a support group for parents which became known as PFLAG.  The play is also about young queer men and women coming out, standing up to power, and accelerating the fight for gay rights. With violence now against the transgender community and LGBQT+ youth at an all-time high, Everybody's Favorite Mothers isn't nostalgic - it's a warning that there's still work to do, and that history can inspire us to find ways 

Rehearsals: February 22 - March 18, 2027 

Performances: March 19 - April 4, 2027 

Character Descriptions: 

Morty Manford — A brilliant, energetic, sometimes pushy young gay activist in his early 20s. He argues passionately for legal protections and visibility, using humor and intensity to mask the cost of constant struggle 

Jeanne Manford — Morty’s warm, practical fifth-grade math teacher mother. Initially wary of activism but never ashamed of her son 

Jules Manford — Morty’s thoughtful, gentle father, in his early 50s. More hesitant than Jeanne at first, he carries guilt and concern but grows into a supportive co-founder and steady partner 

Mike — A witty, flamboyant young gay man from Kansas and the son of a minister. Newer to activism than Morty, 

Leena — A sharp, uncompromising lesbian activist and woman of color. She challenges the male-centered, exclusionary tendencies of the gay-rights movement while fighting on multiple fronts, including women’s equality and trans rights. 

Maria/Principal - Portrays Maria Von Trapp in fantasy sequence and is the principal at Jeanne's school