Theater Auditions

Prepare a short monologue (no longer than one minute) and a brief song (approximately 30 seconds) appropriate to the style of the show. The choice of material is yours. Singing from the show is encouraged but not required. Please provide your own recorded accompaniment and bring your own Bluetooth speaker to play it. A live accompanist will not be provided at the General Audition. Please be prepared for the expedient use of personal technology.

Available Character Description and Ages

MARIA RAINER – Female, to play 20s-30s
A spirited postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, she is warm and compassionate, but not afraid to speak her mind. She is free-spirited, intelligent and determined, but willing to show her vulnerability. Originally called to a life of service, she finds a new calling as the wife of Captain Von Trapp and mother of his children.
VOCAL RANGE: Soprano, Ab3 – B5

CAPTAIN GEORG VON TRAPP – Male, to play 30s-40s
A distinguished, retired Naval Lieutenant Commander whose stern, regimented disposition represses a deep sadness from the loss of his wife. The Captain remains uncompromisingly loyal to his Austrian homeland as threats of Anschluss grow more serious. When Maria restores music to his household, the Captain reconnects with his children and falls unexpectedly in love with the governess.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone, Gb2 – D4

MOTHER ABBESS – Female, to play 40s-60s
The leader and superior of Nonnberg Abbey, Mother Abbess sees the novices through the process of becoming a nun, guiding and inspiring them as they weigh their decision. Firm and authoritative, but also warm and compassionate, Mother Abbess exudes maternal intelligence, and serves as Maria’s guide and comfort.
VOCAL RANGE: Soprano, B3 – Ab5

LIESL VON TRAPP – Female, to play 16
Liesl is at that awkward age between childhood and adulthood and assumes a maternal role with her younger siblings. She is, however, still naïve and in need of her own guidance. She is secretly seeing Rolf, a young delivery boy who is on the verge of being swept up in the approaching Anschluss.
VOCAL RANGE: Soprano, B3 – Ab5

ROLF GRUBER – Male, to play 17
Rolf is a delivery boy who is romantically intrigued by. Liesl. Charming, earnest and charismatic, Rolf finds himself caught between his affection for Liesl and a need to prove his manhood by showing his allegiance to the Anschluss.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone, C3 – E4

MAX DETWEILER – Male, to play 30s-50s
A charming impresario and friend of the Captain’s. Shrewd and savvy, Max is a chameleon who can bend circumstances to his own benefit. He uses his considerable charm to ingratiate himself into his surroundings, with little regard for what is the right thing to do.
VOCAL RANGE: Tenor, D3 – F4

ELSA SCHRADER – Female, to play 30s
A beautiful, cosmopolitan woman, she has her eyes set firmly on the Captain. Intelligent and world-wise, she can present as cold and calculating, but there is a sense of warmth and humanity below the chilly surface.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano, D4 – F5

FRAU SCHMIDT – Female, to play middle-age.
The housekeeper. Efficient and professional, she may appear stern, but she cares deeply for the Captain and wishes only for the family’s happiness. Mezzo Soprano.

FRANZ – Male, to play middle-age.
The butler. He was once the Captain’s orderly in the Imperial Navy. Franz is nervous about the rising political tension in Austria but knows he won’t be able to fight it. May sing in ensemble, but not a featured singer.

SISTER BERTHE, SISTER MARGARETTA and SISTER SOPHIA – Females, adults.
Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey with varying perspectives on the young Maria. Singing and speaking roles. Mezzo-sopranos.

HERR ZELLER, HERR ELBERFELD and ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER – Males, adults.
Nazi officials. May sing in ensemble, but not featured singers.

Additional men and women will be cast as neighbors (such as BARON and BARONESS ELBERFELD), festival goers, nuns, and members of the ensemble.

All children/teenagers auditioning for the Von Trapp children will sing the same excerpt from the song “Do-Re-Mi.” The sheet music, a practice track, and an accompaniment track are provided below. At the audition, children will sing with the accompaniment track. In addition to the song, all children will perform an assigned scene from the show (called a “side”).  All boys will play the role of “KURT”, and all girls will play the role of “BRIGITTA.” Age-specific casting will be explored at the Callback Auditions. Please memorize the dialogue and be prepared to act the role with full commitment and energy.

Please note:
– Although this excerpt of “Do-Re-Mi” is written to be shared between Maria and the children, each child auditioning will sing the melody line straight-through as a solo. It is the highlighted line on the sheet music.
– All actors who wish to be considered for the roles of LIESL and ROLF should fulfil the requirements of the adult auditions.

Von Trapp Children – Available Character Descriptions and Ages

FRIEDRICH VON TRAPP – Boy, 14
Friedrich is the oldest boy in the family and remembers what the von Trapp house was like before his mother passed away. He is learning to be a confident man, but with his father often traveling, he lacks someone to show him how.
VOCAL RANGE: Tenor, C4 – G5

LOUISA VON TRAPP – Girl, 13
Missing her mother very much, Louisa has become quite skilled at playing tricks on the governesses, hiding toads in their pockets or giving the wrong name during introductions. But with Maria, it seems she’s met her match.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano/Countertenor C4 – G5

KURT VON TRAPP – Boy, 10, almost 11
The youngest boy, Kurt is sensitive and pretends not to be hurt by his father’s absence. Though he misses his mother, Kurt greatly appreciates Maria from the start.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano/Countertenor C4 – G5

BRIGITTA VON TRAPP – Girl, 9
Keenly observant for her age. She is thoughtful and, as she says, “cannot tell a lie.”
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano/Countertenor C4 – G5

MARTA VON TRAPP – Girl, 7
Very honest and forthright. Marta likes to enjoy herself and would like a pink parasol for her birthday.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano/Countertenor C4 – G5

GRETL VON TRAPP – Girl, 5.
The youngest of the Trapp children, Gretl is soft spoken and shy, but sweet.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo Soprano/Countertenor C4 – G5