The Sound Of Music – Audition Notice
The wait is over! We are now scheduling auditions for Theatre Unlimited Performing Arts’ production of The Sound of Music, to be presented January 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 2015 at 8 pm and, January 25,
31, and February 1, 2015 at 2 pm at the Meadowvale Theatre in Mississauga. Theatre Unlimited Performing Arts is a non-union, non-paying community theatre group. Given the amount of competition for the male performers this season we are willing to work our schedule around the “Special Production” within the Encore Series that is in the first time slot for Adult Male Performers only. Most male roles will not be required until after the first production closes. No other show conflicts will be considered.
Audition Location:
The Robinson Adamson Grange
1921 Dundas Street West
Mississauga, Ontario L5L 2N2
Google map http://goo.gl/maps/aOhK0
Audition Times:
Sunday June 22: 10am to 5pm
Thursday June 26: 6:30pm -10pm (no von Trapp children)
Friday June 27: 6:30pm - 10pm (no Liesl / Rolf auditions)
Saturday: June 28, 12 noon - 6pm
Call backs (if needed) Sunday June 29
The following roles require a general movement audition on the day of your audition:
All von Trapp Children(not Liesl see below), Maria, Captain, Max, Elsa
The following roles will require a Choreography audition on the day of your audition:
Liesl von Trapp and Rolf
What to Prepare for your Audition:
Actors should prepare appropriate music for the audition and provide sheet music for the accompanist.
For your audition, you MAY perform a song form the show. You don’t have to but you are welcome to do so. If there is a particular role in which you are interested, please feel free to sing a song that represents that role. In doing so please keep in mind you may be considered for other roles, and/or ensemble.
Character descriptions with suggested songs are listed below. The audition will also consist of a cold reading for principle roles and certain character roles.
Brief Show Synopsis:
Maria is a sweet young postulant whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life. Thus, she is sent off to be the governess of Captain Von Trapp's seven troublesome children. Unlike previous governesses, Maria becomes friends with the children through her love of music. Soon, even the strict Captain begins to admire Maria. Eventually the Captain and Maria fall in love and are married. Unfortunately, when the Nazis come to power in their homeland, Austria, the whole family is forced to flee over the Alps to escape.
Character Descriptions:
Adult Lead Characters:
(For all age descriptions, we are looking for actors who can “read” those ages in a theatre, rather than precise actor ages.)
Maria Rainer (soprano/mezzo, good dancer, early-mid 20’s) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, young, free spirited, warm and kind. She is from the Austrian countryside, an orphan, who has used her resourcefulness, intelligence and inner confidence to overcome the difficulties of her early life. There is a part of her that wants sheltering from the uncertainties of the outside world as well, and that, coupled with her absolute faith in God’s will, is what has led her to seek life as a nun. The actor must have versatility, a powerful voice, a great sense of natural humor, and the ability to move well. Suggested Songs: The Sound of Music, I Have Confidence, My Favorite Things
Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, moves well, 35-45) A retired Austrian naval captain. Educated, polished, and military in the way he runs his life, his home and his children’s lives. The father of seven, ranging in age from six to sixteen, he is a widower. When we meet him he is still in mourning over the death of his wife; his unconscious defense has been to push his children away and remove himself from the home that reminds him too much of what he has lost, resulting in a cool, detached exterior. Underneath, he is warm, understanding, and as much in need of love himself as are his children. Suggested Songs: Edelweiss, Something Good
Max Detweiler (baritone, 40’s-50) Charming, sophisticated, enjoys the good life, which he can’t afford, so he avails himself of the Captain’s largesse at every opportunity. He is practical and sees the coming of Nazism as unavoidable, so one must “accommodate”, which brings him into conflict with the Captain. Ultimately, he proves a true and loyal friend to the family. Comedic timing. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi, No Way to Stop It
Elsa Schraeder (mezzo, moves well, 35-40) A baroness of taste and elegance; she is sophisticated and worldly. Like Max, she will find a way to accommodate the coming Anschluss. She tolerates the children, but would send them off to boarding school so she and the Captain could spend most of their time in Vienna. She loves the Captain in a measured way; he represents good social standing and a continuation of the comfortable, luxurious lifestyle she enjoys. Suggested Songs: No Way To Stop It, How Can Love Survive
Mother Abbess (powerful soprano, wide vocal range, 45-70, strong actress) Motherly, understanding, authoritative, she is Maria’s guiding light. Her years have brought her wisdom, patience and inner confidence. Suggested Songs: Climb Every Mountain
Featured Characters:
Three Featured Nuns at the Abbey:
(ages may range from 30’s-60’s)
Sister Berthe (alto): Mistress of Novices
Sister Margaretta (mezzo): Mistress of Postulants
Sister Sophia (soprano): a Sister at the Abbey
Of the three, Berthe is the more critical, finding all the faults in Maria’s conduct, and may be a little pompous; Margaretta has a good sense of humor, and so appreciates what is humorous in Maria’s conduct; Sophia is more inclined to notice the positive aspects of Maria’s conduct. All are frustrated with her inability to settle into the lifestyle of the Abbey. Suggested Songs: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria - Should be able to sing Harmonies
Rolf Gruber (tenor, ideally a strong singer and dancer or very good mover, 17) Rolf is a telegraph delivery boy on bicycle, and later drawn into the Nazi youth movement. He and Liesl have fallen in love, and they look for every opportunity to see one another.
Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi, I am 16 going on 17
Franz (non-singing, 40+, strong actor) The von Trapp butler, formerly the Captain’s orderly on shipboard; formal, but not without spirit; his loyalties move very swiftly to the Fascist cause.
Frau Schmidt (non-singing, 40+, strong actor) The housekeeper, rather stoic, but with a guarded sense of humor; she knows how to run the household as the Captain wishes it.
Herr Zeller (non-singing, 40+, strong actor) Bureaucratic neighbour, who becomes an early Nazi official. He is critical of the Captain’s loyalties to the old Austria, and ultimately, as an official of the Third Reich, leads the move to take the Captain into Nazi naval service; hard-nosed, inflexible.
Admiral Von Schreiber (non-singing, 40+, strong actor) Admiral of the Navy of the Third Reich, he arrives to escort the Captain to his forced commission. He is more flexible and accommodating than Zeller.
The Children:
(All must be strong singers and good movers):
Children’s ages are what will “read” as age-appropriate. All children must be mature, experienced and responsible as actors to deport themselves with minimal supervision through the rehearsal and performance process.
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, strong singer and dancer, 16) The oldest child, blossoming into a woman, and smitten with Rolf. She also has a maternal edge and cares deeply for her younger siblings. Initially she thinks herself too old to need a governess; she discovers otherwise. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi; I am 16 going on 17
Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) Proud to be “a boy” in this family of mostly girls and an often-absent father. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi
Louisa von Trapp (age 13) The trickster of the family, full of mischief. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi
Kurt von Trapp (age 10, able to sing high – boy soprano -some dance) Gentle and a peacemaker. He dances the Landler with Maria. Suggested Songs: Do ReMi
Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) Smart, reads a lot, always tells the truth, even when it may be inappropriate. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi
Marta von Trapp (age 7) Very much the little princess; pink is her favorite color. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi
Gretl von Trapp (age 6) Very cute, just wants to be loved. Suggested Songs: Do Re Mi
Ensemble:
(All should be strong ensemble singers, and some who can waltz)
10-15 Women’s Ensemble members (16-60+ years) To play nuns, novices, postulants, guests at the Captain’s party, Salzburg citizens, and Contestants in the Festival Concert.
8-10 Men’s Ensemble members (16-60 years) To play priests, Nazi soldiers, Guests at the Captain’s party, Salzburg citizens, and Contestants in the Festival Concert.
What to bring to audition:
Please download our audition profile and bring the complete form to the audition.
Available at www.theatreunlimited.ca under
TU Resources.
For those that are doing dance auditions please have dance shoes and proper attire for your audition.
How to Book your Audition:
Please send an email to theatreunlimited@bell.net to schedule
your appointment. Please tell us your preferred date and
clearly list your full name, phone number, and the role you are interested in auditioning for. In the event it is more than one role list them in preferred order.
Videos
