auditions
AUDITION NOTICE
Mirrorbox Theatre is seeking (11) non-union performers for its upcoming production of These Gilded Souls (A Jazz Age Ghost Story) by Aly Kantor. This play is a reimagining of The Great Gatsby, set in 1932, but primarily taking place in the decade-old memories of the Jazz Age. The play explores themes of memory, love, loss, and the American Dream while bringing to the surface the queer subtext of the original novel.
Mirrorbox previously presented a reading of These Gilded Souls in 2023. No roles for this production have been pre-cast.
The following creative team members will be present at auditions - Director: J. Eric Dunlap; Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Chelsea White; Producer: Cavan Hallman.
Additional creative team members will be announced at a later date.
Audition Information
Sides will be provided at the audition.
If you choose to prepare a monologue it should be no more than two minutes in length. Auditions will be held Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. or by video submission. Callbacks, if necessary, will be held Monday, February 3 at 6:30 p.m. Auditions and callbacks will take place at Mirrorbox Theatre, 1200 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids, 52405.
Auditioners will be seen on a first-come basis. Some auditioners may be asked to stay for a limited period of time to read additional sides, individually and/or with other auditioners.
Video submissions are due Sunday, February 2, 2025, by 4 p.m.
Submission Guidelines: Video submissions should be no more than two minutes in length. Auditioners may include a single 2-minute monologue or two 1-minute contrasting monologues. This play is a contemporary reimagining of The Great Gatsby. Monologues may be taken from contemporary plays and/or source books.
Performance Dates
Rehearsals will be held evenings and weekends from February 16, 2025, at Mirrorbox Theatre (see address above) and the Hach Building in downtown Cedar Rapids. The show will run for 12 performances March 20 – April 6, 2025 at Mirrorbox Theatre, Thursday-Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees.
Compensation All performers will receive a $150 honorarium and two complimentary tickets to be used during the run.
Character Descriptions:
- NICK CARRAWAY: 42, he/him. The narrator of the play. A closeted queer man full of contradictions, he is inebriated but in good spirits. He is the observer of the story.
- DAISY BUCHANAN: 28, she/her. Wife of Tom Buchanan and Nick’s cousin. A lover of music with one foot always in the past. She is drawn to the ghostly voices of old recordings.
- JORDAN BAKER: 26, she/her. A closeted queer woman whose "sloppy, jazz-age lifestyle" has afforded her control of her perception. She is a golfer.
- TOM BUCHANAN: 30, he/him. Husband of Daisy Buchanan. Always seeking the next great thrill, with one foot always in the future. His aggression and selfishness manifests as abuse, racism, and infidelity..
- JAY GATSBY: 30, he/him. The embodiment of the American dream turned nightmare. He is the mysterious host of lavish parties with a deep longing to reunite with Daisy.
- OWL EYES: Any. A presence and observer who is generally more than a little tipsy.
- MYRTLE WILSON and others: she/her 20-30. A party guest and Tom's mistress. She is married to George Wilson and lives in the Valley of Ashes.
- CATHERINE and others: she/her 20-30. Myrtle's sister, who lives in a hotel with her girlfriend. She is a party guest.
- CHESTER MCKEE and others: he/him 20-30. A photographer and party guest.
- GEORGE WILSON and others: he/him 30+. Myrtle’s husband.
- MEYER WOLFSHEIM and others: he/him 50+. A gambler and Gatsby’s friend.
Notes:
- All roles are available
- All pronouns are reflective of the pronouns used by characters in the original text, but the production will consider performers of all identities when casting.
- The play includes themes of queer identity.
Contact:
For questions, please contact director J. Eric Dunlap at [email protected].
JOIN US!
Check this page regularly for updates on auditions, crew calls, submissions, staffing and volunteering.
SEEKING BOARD
MEMBERS
Mirrobox Theatre (a 501c3) is currently seeking up to FIVE volunteers to join the Board of Directors for a two-year term, renewable upon board approval.
Mirrorbox Theatre was founded in 2018, and to date is still the only theatre company dedicated exclusively to presenting new plays in their Iowa premieres. Mirrorbox provides honoraria to all artists - as it has from its inception. But Mirrorbox has no paid staff. All organizational and administrative duties are handled on a volunteer basis.
Board members are expected to volunteer approximately 5 hours per month beyond attendance at the monthly meeting (held over Zoom).
All board members will be expected to contribute to an area of organizational need, providing a combination of execution, and leadership/coordination among fellow board and community members.
CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US TODAY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED OR HAVE QUESTIONS
Seeking 1 - 2 members with expertise in Law and Compliance:
Detail-oriented individual(s) needed to oversee areas of Law and Compliance to ensure the company's adherence to legal standards and best practices. Approximately 5 hours of volunteer service required each month to complete tasks and coordinate execution in areas that could include:
- Managing Contracts and Licenses, Insurance Policies, Liability Waivers, Permitting, Developing and Managing Company Handbooks and Policies, Human Resources Compliance, and other duties as they arise.
Desired Qualifications:
- Background in law or legal affairs.
- Experience with non-profit compliance and contract management.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
Seeking 1 - 2 members with expertise in Fundraising:
Passionate individual(s) needed to drive and oversee our fundraising efforts and support the theatre’s financial health. Approximately 5 hours of volunteer service required each month to complete tasks and coordinate execution in areas that could include:
- Cultivating Individual Donors, Grant Development, Donor Benefits, Corporate Giving and Sponsorship, Event Planning, and other duties as they arise.
Desired Qualifications:
- Proven experience in fundraising and donor relations.
- Strong event planning and organizational skills.
- Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with donors and sponsors.
Seeking 1 - 2 members with expertise in Outreach and Volunteer Management:
Detail-oriented individual(s) needed to oversee areas of Outreach and Volunteer Management to enhance community engagement and manage volunteer activities, Approximately 5 hours of volunteer service required each month to complete tasks and coordinate execution in areas that could include:
- Community Engagement, Volunteer Management, Volunteer Hour Matching, Special Events Marketing, In-Kind Advertising Opportunities, Group Packages, and other duties as they arise.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in volunteer management and community outreach.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with various community partners.
Seeking 1 - 2 members with expertise in Grant Writing
Detail-oriented grant writer(s) needed to lead our grant acquisition and management efforts. Approximately 5 hours of volunteer service required each month to complete tasks and coordinate execution in areas that could include:
- Grant Research, Grant Writing, Grant Reporting, and other duties as they arise.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in grant writing and management.
- Excellent writing and research skills.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
Seeking 1 - 2 members with expertise in Content Creation and Disbursement
Creative Content expert(s) needed to enhance our digital and physical media presence. Approximately 5 hours of volunteer service required each month to complete tasks and coordinate execution in areas that could include:
- Graphics Creation, Website Content, Media Capture, Public Postings, Social Media Management, Mailchimp Campaigns, and other duties as they may arise.
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong skills in graphic design, content creation, and social media management.
- Experience with website content management and email marketing.
- Creative flair and attention to detail.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Mirrorbox is always looking for volunteers to usher and work box office for upcoming shows!
Volunteers are given free admission to that evening's event and a discount for concessions and bar.
Usher opportunities for upcoming shows will be posted here.