The Playhouse Company invites professionally-trained musical
theatre performers with extensive experience in singing and acting to audition
for various roles in its 2016 musical theatre production of Rodger and
Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music.
This brand new staging will be directed by well-loved theatre director and
actor Ralph Lawson and includes the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
All auditionees for
specific roles are required to prepare a 2 minute monologue of a character
similar to the role.
All auditionees to bring a one page CV and a full length
photograph with them to the audition. They need to come to audition dressed
accordingly for both the singing, acting and dance segments.
Roles to be cast include:
LEAD ADULT CHARACTERS:
Maria Rainer (soprano, strong dancer, 25-35). A postulant at Nonnberg
Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.
Needs to prepare The Sound Of Music
and My Favourite Things.
Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, good mover, 35-45). A
retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs
his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, he is
warm, understanding, and determined. Needs to prepare Edelweiss and one other contrasting song relevant to the role.
Mother Abbess (soprano, wide vocal range, 40+, very strong
actress)
Motherly, understanding, strong and
authoritative, but kind. Needs to prepare Climb
Every Mountain and one other contrasting song relevant to the role as well
SUPPORTING ROLES
Both these characters
need to prepare two contrasting songs from a musical with a similar character.
Max Detweiller (tenor/baritone, good mover, 35-45) Charming
and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal
friend to the von Trapp family.
Elsa Schrader (mezzo soprano, good mover, 35-45) A baroness
of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.
FEATURED CHARACTERS:
(All three need to
prepare two contrasting songs from a musical with a similar character.)
Sister Berthe (alto, good mover) Mistress of Novices,
prudish, straight-laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other
nuns.
Sister Margaretta (mezzo, good mover) Mistress of
Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.
Sister Sophia (soprano, good mover)
Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
TEENAGERS
Both need to prepare
two songs from a musical with a similar character
Rolf Gruber (low tenor, strong dancer, 17) Suitor to Liesl,
telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat
aggressive but in a gentle way.
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, strong dancer, 16). The oldest child,
blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge
to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings.
NON-SINGING:
All three need to
prepare two monologues:
Franz (strong actor 30+) The von Trapp butler, rather formal
but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.
Frau Schmidt (30+) The housekeeper, stoic, very little
personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and
somewhat dominating.
Herr Zeller (40+) Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi
official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
The auditions will also need to fill chorus members: nuns, party
guests and soldiers. Chorus Members need to prepare two contrasting songs from
musicals.
Also invited to audition are children between the ages of 5
and 15 for the following roles:
Friedrich von Trapp (14) - Tough exterior, very much trying
to be “the man” of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (13) - Rebellious attitude.
Kurt von Trapp (10, falsetto) - Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (9) -Smart, reads a lot.
Marta von Trapp (7) - Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (6) - Must have the cute factor.
Children need to prepare: My Favourite Things and one contrasting song from a musical.
Relevant roles will be taken through a movement audition
with no preparation needed. Sheet music for the songs from The Sound Of Music will be supplied for the audition pianist. All
other sheet music to be brought to the audition.
Auditions will take place as follows:
November 21 and 22 in Johannesburg
December 11 in Durban
February 5 in Cape Town
Successful applicants will be required for rehearsals in
Durban from late October 2016. The season will run from November 24, 2016, to January
8, 2017.
It is essential to book an audition time slot through Donna
McLaggan on 031 369 9457 between 09h00 and 12h00 Monday to Wednesday.
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