Hollywood, Nebraska by Kenneth Jones
Directed by Jeremy Elman
Assistant directed by Maya Ferrario
Stage Manager Megan Davis
Sign up for audition slot here!
Key dates:
5 weeks of Rehearsals:
Week 1 Dec 14th, 2026
Weeks 2 to 5 throughout January 2027.
Tech Week: Feb 1st to 5th
Previews: February 6th, 2027.
Show runs: February 6 to March 7th, 2027.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2:00.
There will be an Industry night on Monday, Feb 15th 2027
Stipend for actors is $700 for the run. There is also a $50 travel stipend.
Synopsis:
Following Firehouse Theatre Company’s award-winning production of Alabama Story, we’re delighted to bring you another play by Kenneth Jones, Hollywood, Nebraska, a true actor's play that is both funny and touching, about chasing dreams, finding love, and coming home.
Two fortysomething actresses return to their once-thriving hometown in rural Nebraska. Jane, a former TV star whose Hollywood career is faltering, has come to care for her ailing mother, Alma. Andrea, a sharp-tongued New York actress with unfulfilled Broadway dreams (and Jane’s high school friend and rival), is back to bury her father.
Waiting for them are Alma, a fiercely independent, quick-witted woman longing to reconnect with her daughter; Robert, a handsome widowed carpenter; his teenage daughter, Katie, an aspiring actress dreaming of escaping to the big city; and Lance, a rough-and-ready laborer with some surprising hidden talents.
As old friendships are rekindled, unexpected romances blossom, and family tensions surface, six wonderfully flawed characters confront their regrets, rediscover their dreams, and consider what it means to live a fulfilling life.
[See character descriptions below.]
Audition dates:
Sunday, November 1st, starting at 6:30pm
Saturday Nov 7th, starting at 2:00pm
Callbacks:
November 14th, from 1-4pm,
Auditions will be scheduled in 5-minute blocks and will consist of cold readings from the play (sides will be available at the theater if actors want to come early to review). If you are auditioning for Andrea or Katie, please prepare around 15 bars of an a capella song)
Please bring your headshot (doesn’t need to be on glossy paper) and actor’s resume. Be ready to inform us of any conflicts you’ll have from Jan 4th to Jan. 31.
We expect all actors to be present for ALL rehearsals in the final two weeks of rehearsals/tech and for all performances.
Callbacks will be readings of scenes from the play. We will send you a link to the drive with sides if you are called back.
Location:
All auditions and rehearsals will be held at the John Hand Theater in the Colorado Free University building at 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO, 80230
Additional Information:
If you would like to preview the script, email firehousetc@gmail.com and put “Hollywood, Nebraska script” in the subject line. Email us with any accommodation that would make the audition process most conducive for you.
Content & Intimacy: This production contains adult language, sexual references, and physical intimacy between adult characters, including passionate kissing, implied sexual activity, and post-sex bedroom scenes. Following the playwright's intentions, we plan to embrace the play's sexuality and physicality. These moments are an important part of the characters' relationships and storytelling, not gratuitous additions. All intimate scenes will be carefully choreographed, with clear boundaries established collaboratively with the actors, but actors who are uncomfortable with intimate scenes should not audition for the roles of Jane, Andrea, Robert or Lance.
Firehouse has adopted the Community Standards for Theatre for Colorado. The John Hand Theater is wheelchair accessible.
Character Descriptions:
JANE, Forties, an L.A. actress. Unpretentious, unfiltered, chilly but not unkind, California cool. White.
ANDREA, Forties, a New York actress. Pretentious, unfiltered, New Yorky, darkly comic, sexy, hurt, lost, a proficient singer. Any race.
ALMA, Seventies or older. A housewife, mother of Jane. Homespun, likable, lonely, brooding on past hurt, eager for renewal. White.
ROBERT, Late forties/early fifties. A carpenter/contractor. Decent blue-collar man of few words, a catch, a widower ready to connect. Any race.
KATIE*, Fifteen, Robert’s daughter. Eager, curious, starstruck wannabe actress, a good kid. Has a wonderful singing voice. Any race. (We will accept auditions from anyone 16+ with no upper age limit other than being able to visually portray a fifteen-year-old.)
LANCE, Thirties, a carpenter/contractor. Guileless blue-collar guy with hidden talents, sincere, uncomplicated, sexy, comic. Any race. (Bonus: If you can play the piano to a high standard)
*Katie (ages 15+) further information. Katie is a teenage character and is not involved in any sexual or intimate scenes. However, this is an adult play, and young performers should be comfortable working in a production that includes mature language, sexual references, and intimacy between the adult characters. We welcome younger actors to audition and are happy to discuss the show's content with actors and parents before auditions.
Out of respect for everyone’s time, only reserve an audition slot if you are fully available to attend and your schedule aligns with the rehearsal and performance dates. If a conflict arises, cancel your slot as soon as possible so another actor can take advantage of the opportunity.
