The Recipe Box
by Austin Rainbow Theatre (ART)
May. 27 - Jun. 10
Set on a lush, plant-filled Louisiana porch, The Recipe Box kicks off with an explosive breakup between a brilliant but emotionally walled-off math professor, Rick, and his cheating husband, Joah. When Joah storms out, he leaves behind his eccentric, sharp-tongued, 70-something mother, Lou Wanda, who has a gambling addiction and nowhere else to go.
Armed with an old recipe box belonging to Rick’s late mother, an unconventional, hilarious, and fiercely protective chosen family begins to form. Infused with Shores’ trademark southern queer wit, this production balances devastating heartbreaks with laugh-out-loud Southern eccentricities.
Austin Rainbow Theatre is thrilled to announce submissions are open for the highly anticipated Regional Premiere of The Recipe Box, a brand-new, darkly comic Southern dramedy written and directed by master storyteller and queer theater icon Del Shores (creator of the legendary cult classics Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies).
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to work directly with Del Shores on a brand-new regional premiere, only the second time being produced! Bring your best Southern grit and sharpest wit.
Auditions for this production are strictly by invitation only. To be considered for an in-person audition slot, please submit your initial expression of interest.
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The Recipe Box
Written & Directed by Del Shores
Audition Type: Regional Premiere / Non-Union
Performance Dates: September 4 – 19, 2026
Rehearsal Dates: August 3 – September 3, 2026
Character Breakdown
LOU WANDA BAILESS (70s, any race)
A sharp, funny, unapologetically flawed Southern matriarch who has made more than
her share of bad decisions, and knows it. She masks fear, regret, and loneliness with
humor, storytelling, and deflection. Beneath the bravado is a woman desperate not to be
discarded in the final chapter of her life. Her relationship with her son is deeply
complicated, she often ceded responsibility to him, and now finds herself both needing
him and resenting that dynamic.
Casting: A commanding actor with expert comedic timing and the ability to drop into emotional
truth on a dime. Must balance outrageous humor with grounded vulnerability.
JOAH BAILESS (mid-30s, any race)
Lou Wanda’s son; attractive, successful, and emotionally conflicted. He has spent much
of his life functioning as the parent in his relationship with Lou Wanda, managing her
chaos, finances, and consequences. That role has shaped him, and in many ways
exhausted him. His decision to leave his husband is driven by a need to feel seen and
alive again, but it comes at a cost. He avoids hard emotional accountability until forced
into it.
Casting: Charismatic and layered. Obviously works out a lot. The actor must convey both
strength and avoidance; someone who can make the audience understand his choices without
excusing them. The dynamic with Lou Wanda is key, history, frustration, love, and buried
resentment.
OONA LA VECK (40s, any race)
A bold, theatrical, no-filter professor with a fierce intellect and a big personality. She is
Rick’s best friend and longtime confidante, their relationship is deep, loyal, and earned
over years. She protects him, challenges him, and occasionally oversteps in the name
of love. Quick with humor, quicker with judgment, but ultimately grounded in truth and
care.
Casting: A strong presence actor with sharp comedic instincts and emotional intelligence. Must
handle heightened language while staying rooted in authenticity. The role lives in the balance of
humor, loyalty, and confrontation.
Audition Details
Auditions for this production are strictly by invitation only. To be considered for an
in-person audition slot, please submit your initial expression of interest.
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Submission Form: https://austinrainbowtheatre.org/auditions/
Your submission must include:
Current Headshot
Acting Resume
1 Minute Video Monologue in the style of the show (Alternatively, a video
reel/compilation showing both your dramatic and comedic range). Southern
dialect is a plus but not mandatory for the initial video.
In-Person Audition Details
All details will be provided upon invitation.
Date: Monday, June 15th
Time: TBA
Preparation: Sides will be provided in your audition invitation. 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
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