Columbus Theatre News: 5/15/25 Weekly Roundup
This weekend: test your luck at MadLab and in the audition room!
This is the weekend to take a chance! Test your luck at MadLab’s Theatre Roulette and take your best shot at auditions for Aethereal Jest’s The Tempest or Endeavor Theatre’s Being Black Outside. This audition season is heating up, so keep scrolling for even more audition and directing opportunities. We are also wrapping up three incredible runs; don’t miss your last chance to see Fireflies, Amadeus, or Macbeth.
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Upcoming Shows
Now Playing
Curtain Players’ Fireflies - May 2-18
Tickets are $20 per person. Performances will take place at 5691 Harlem Rd, Galena, OH 43021.
Friday, May 16 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 17 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 18 - 2:00 pm
The Matthew Barber romantic comedy tells the story of retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister, who lives a quiet life alone in tiny Groverdell, Texas, set in her routines and secure in her position as the town’s most respected woman - until a hole in her roof draws the attention of Abel Brown, a smooth-talking drifter intent on renovating Eleanor’s house, and possibly her life.
The Curtain Players production of Fireflies was originally scheduled for March 2020. The Covid lockdown closed the show just three days before its opening night. Now, five years later, Curtain Players is giving Fireflies a second chance to this play about second chances.
Gallery Players’ Amadeus - May 3-18 - JCC of Greater Columbus
Tickets are $25. Performances will take place at 1125 College Ave. Columbus, OH 43209.
Thursday, May 15 - 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 17 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 18 - 2:00 pm
In the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri has given himself to G-d so that he might realize his sole ambition, to be a great composer. Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri’s envious grasp: Genius.
Aethereal Jest’s Macbeth - May 9-18 - Columbus Performing Arts Center
Tickets are $15. Performances will take place at 549 Franklin Ave, Columbus, OH 43215.
Friday, May 16- 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 17- 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 18- 2:00 pm
Macbeth is a timeless tragedy that delves into the corrosive effects of unchecked ambition. Set fifty years in the future, the play follows the tragic downfall of Macbeth At first a brave and honorable general, his fate takes a drastic turn when he encounters three witches who prophesy that he will become the king. Seduced by the idea of power, Macbeth, spurred on by his ambitious wife Lady Macbeth, succumbs to a series of murderous deeds to secure the throne. As Macbeth ascends to power, the narrative unfolds with a gripping exploration of the psychological toll of guilt, paranoia, and moral decay.
MadLab’s Theatre Roulette 2025 - May 15-31
Tickets are $17 Students/Senior; $20 General Admission. Performances will take place at 227 N. 3rd St. Columbus, OH 43215.
Thursday, May 15 - 8:00 pm - Out of Sight
Friday, May 16 - 8:00 pm - Out of Luck
Saturday, May 17 - 8:00 pm - Out of Control
Thursday, May 22 - 8:00 pm - Out of Control
Friday, May 23 - 8:00 pm - Out of Sight
Saturday, May 24 - Out of Luck
Thursday, May 29 - Out of Luck
Friday, May 30 - Out of Control
Saturday, May 31
2:00 pm - Out of Luck
4:00 pm - Out of Control
8:00 pm - Out of Sight
Theatre Roulette is the longest running short play festival in central Ohio. Theatre Roulette 2025 features 17 short plays presented on 3 separate and totally different themed nights: "Out of Sight," 5/15, 5/23, 5/31; "Out of Luck," 5/16, 5/24, 5/29, 5/31; and "Out of Control," 5/17, 5/22, 5/30, 5/31. A complete listing of the plays performed on each themed night is available at MadLab.net.
Coming Soon
Submit your next show at tinyurl.com/submitcbustheatre!
Audition Opportunities
Aethereal Jest’s The Tempest - May 17 & 18 - Millworks Art Studios
Saturday, May 17 - 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Sunday, May 18 - 4:00-8:00 pm
Potential Callbacks - Monday, May 19 - 6:30-9:00 pm
Auditions will consist of rehearsed monologues as well as cold readings from the script. Monologues should be from any work of Shakespeare or a contemporary and no longer than three (3) minutes in length. The entire audition process will last no longer than one (1) hour. Be prepared to stay for your entire audition slot. This is a volunteer opportunity.
Performances will take place July 11-20 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
Endeavor Theatre’s Being Black Outside - May 19 & 20 - Karl Road Library
Monday, May 19 - 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, May 20 - 6:30-8:30 pm
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script, which can be found at the above link. Virtual auditions will be accepted. Actors will receive a $50-100 stipend.
Performances will take place July 11-20 at Club Diversity.
Hilliard Arts Council’s Brigadoon - May 24 & 25
Saturday, May 24 - 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Sunday, May 25 - 2:00-4:00 pm
Be prepared with a song that demonstrates your vocal range. An accompanist will be provided. If you wish to have a speaking role, you will be asked to do a cold reading from the script. There will also be a dance audition.
Performances will take place July 11-13 at the Hilliard Davidson High School.
Worthington Community Theatre’s Cinderella - May 30 & 31 - McConnell Arts Center
In-person sign-ups full - see below for virtual audition instructions
Callbacks will take place on Sunday, June 1 - 5-8 pm
Actors should prepare a 16-32 bar song in the style of the show. Ages 14 and older are welcome. This is a volunteer opportunity.
Virtual auditions also accepted. All virtual materials must be emailed to WCTpresents@gmail.com AND tirzahwashi816@gmail.com by May 24, 2025.
Performances will take place July 18-27 at the McConnell Arts Center.
Boxland Media’s Brave Stories Short Play Festival - June 8
Sunday, June 8 - 12-4 pm
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts.
If you're unable to attend auditions, but would still like to be considered, please send a video audition (YouTube link, etc) to BoxlandSubmissions@gmail.com by June 9, 2025
Performances will take place August 15-23 at Boxland Media.
Hosting auditions soon? Use this form to reach nearly 200 potential cast members!
Backstage Opportunities
Boxland Media’s Brave Stories: LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Short Play Festival Seeking Directors
Brave Stories is a short play festival that celebrates LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters who exemplify bravery—whether by overcoming adversity, speaking their truth, or standing firm in their beliefs.
Call for Directors:
Boxland is seeking directors whose backgrounds and experiences are relevant to those of the characters for the short plays listed below. As the plays deal with sensitive issues, they hope to ensure that they are handled with the care they deserve.
Black and Blue and Red: A father teaches his son the steps to take if pulled over by a police officer due to racial profiling.
Improper Nouns: A friendship falls apart over a Scrabble game when one woman plays an offensive word. Can a friendship survive across racial lines?
Press Conference: A mayor addresses his community regarding a recent shooting.
If interested, please email BoxlandSubmissions@gmail.com by June 1, 2025
While it is not mandatory for directors to attend, auditions for actors are June 8, 2025 12p-4p at Boxland Media.
Aethereal Jest Seeking Writers and Directors for 2025-2026 Season
Aethereal Jest Arts Council has announced their 2025-2026 Season and is looking for directors for their season. Seasoned AND aspiring directors encouraged to apply!
Additionally, Aethereal Jest is planning their 2025 Staged Reading Festival. are currently accepting submissions for original plays that are at the point of development where they can benefit from a staged reading. Submissions can cover any topic, genre, or length. The submission deadline is July 31, 2025.
Use this form to submit your backstage opportunities.
This can include any backstage position, including but not limited to, stage management, technicians, front of house/ushers, pit musicians, interns, calls for directors
Thank you for reading Columbus Theatre News’ Weekly Roundup! If you have any questions about these shows or future newsletters, please feel free to comment on this post or reach out directly to shannonmillerdaly@gmail.com.