The Manhole
by Austin Rainbow Theatre (ART)
Jan. 06 - Jan. 08 (2026)
“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.
Austin Rainbow Theatre is currently casting for THE MANHOLE, part of ART’s new Queer Playwrights Incubator—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 Frontera Fest’s short fringe festival.
Please review the details below, if you are interested in auditioning please submit the form linked below 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
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: Tuesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 8th, 2026
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
