auditions

Come play with us…

All nimbus productions start with an ensemble, a playwright, a director, a production team, and an idea. From there, the play is built collaboratively with everyone participating in shaping the story and the production. As our process is unique, we always start our ensemble with a selection of actors who have worked with us before, but we value having new collaborators in the room as well.

As we are not casting pre-existing parts, we are generally not looking for the right actor for the right part, but rather the right people for the process. We love working with people who are collaborative, who have experience creating devised work, and thrive in an environment that includes ambiguity and change.

Actors who are cast in a production should expect to hear back from nimbus within a week of auditions. We will respond to all who audition, regardless of whether they are cast in the ensemble or not. nimbus seeks to build ensembles that reflect the diversity of the world we live in, and we encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and non-binary actors to apply to work with us.

Auditions are publicized on mnplaylist.org, and through our auditions email list. Actors interested in nimbus are encouraged to sign up for this email list. 

AEA Members: We regret that we are unable at this time to work with members of the Actors Equity Association.

Stipends: nimbus pays a $500 stipend for all roles. Ultimately, we seek to do work that is exciting and fulfilling to artists, in an environment that lets each artist explore, grow, and collaborate. We greatly respect the time, energy, and commitment that goes in to honing ones art and craft, and are dedicated to growing compensation amounts whenever possible.

New Audition Process in 2025: We have found that “cattle call” auditions where actors cold-read monologues isn’t the best way of discovering who we want for our ensembles. Instead of an open round of auditions, we are asking people to apply to be considered for the ensemble. A selection of people will be invited to a group audition, and the ensemble will be built from there.

ENSEMBLE OPENINGS for Lovelace

Written by Nissa Nordland, Directed by Josh Cragun

nimbus is excited to announce that they have open roles available for their next production, which will be based on the life of Ada Lovelace.

Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer, and in many ways, she saw the future. Born Augusta Ada Byron, the child of poet Lord Byron, she was raised in an era where women’s roles were incredibly restricted. A brilliant young woman, she was introduced to mathematician Charles Babbage when she was just eighteen years old. Babbage had just invented a machine known as The Difference Engine, and was struggling to explain the importance of his plans for The Analytical Engine to the broader scientific world. Not only would Ada help explain the importance of what became the foundations of modern computing, her vision for what computing could be reached nearly two hundred years into the future. Her thoughts on artificial intelligence are still discussed today.

We think her story is an incredible one, and are seeking actors to help us bring it to life in April, 2025 at The Crane Theater.

Available Roles:

This is an ensemble-based production. For this show, it is likely that some ensemble members will play multiple roles. Because of the unique nature of our process, we precast some of the ensemble, but we always want to work with new artists. As such, we are taking applications for new ensemble members for this production. Interested actors are invited to apply using the link below. We will select a number of applicants for an in-person audition that will consist of group work in devising scenarios and improvisation exercises.

The audition, most rehearsals, and performances will be held at the Crane Theater
2303 Kennedy St NE
Parking and entrance at the back of the building - look for the yellow door

Important dates (some dates subject to change):

All cast members are expected to attend all phases of rehearsal. Rehearsals are held weeknights, Monday - Thursday, 7- 10pm

Auditions: January 22

Table Work: January 27, 28, 29, 30

Rehearsals: February 3, 5, 10, 13, 18, 20, 24, 27; March 3 through April 3 M-Th

Tech Week: April 6 - 11

Performances: April 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27

We will contact all applicants to let them know if they are invited to the group audition no later than January 21.