Max: major or minor

[C.Jack]

Due to job application and point values for thespian and general curiousity. I have a weird question, Do you count Max Detweiler from sound of music as a major or minor role?

[TheGingerBreadMan]

I would say that “supporting role” is the most appropriate term for the character. If major/minor are your only options, definitely minor.

[C.Jack]

Yea major and minor are the only options

[dramamama611]

Then it depends on the definitions of those (non traditional) terms.

Are we just talking about size: amount of stage time, number of lines and solo singing?

Or are we talking about importance to the plot?

[C.Jack]

I am talking mainly about impact on plot and size of role. Both are equally important

[Call_me_jorge]

I’d say major, since it’s not really an ensemble track.

[trentsketch]

Yeah, if you can only say major or minor, it's a major role. Minors roles in Sound of Music would be the three sisters at the convent, Franz, Frau Schmidt, and the nazi officials who begin to enter at the end of Act I.

Max is interwoven throughout most of the show and has those two big trios with the Captain and Elsa. He sets the children's performance at the concert in motion and then is the major character in the concert scene who stalls for and collaborates with the von Trapps for their escape. Max is also the only character in the play with connections to every other character. 

[dramamama611]

^  The size of the role itself would make it "minor" but the importance/impact of the character, "major".  

[TheGingerBreadMan]

dramamama611 said: "^ The size of the role itself would make it "minor" but the importance/impact of the character, "major"."

That was my thinking - I would argue that it is a minor role due to role size. Max certainly has a good deal of importance in the story, but in my opinion, a major role in TSOM would be Maria, the Captain, Liesl, etc. The central players.