Category: Uncategorised
SMT is a community theatre. This production is non-paying / non-Equity
THE TEAM
Producers: Kathleen McDowell and Rob Lachance
Director: Amanda Sinclair
Co-Musical Directors: Miguel Malaco and Charlie Davidson
Choreographer: Sabrina Hooper
Stage Manager: Ndola Hutton
Assistant Director: Daniel Goldman
ABOUT THE SHOW
Arguably the world’s most beloved musical, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favourite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number. The inspirational story follows an ebullient postulant nun who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
KEY DATES AND LOCATIONS
Rehearsals
September 4 to November 6, 2024
Technical rehearsals
October 27, 28, 30 November 3, 4, 5, 6, 2024
Performances
November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 2024 at 8pm
November 10, 17 and 23, 2024 at 2pm
Additional performances may be added on November 13 (8pm), and/or November 20 (8pm). Extra shows being added will be confirmed by October 7 at the latest.
If you have conflicts for any of the technical rehearsals at the theatre and any of the performance dates, you are not eligible to audition.
Locations
Rehearsals: 51 Estate Drive, Scarborough (401 and Markham Road)
Tech Rehearsals and Performances: Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd (NE corner of Kingston and Markham)
INFORMATION SESSION
An information session will be held on May 13, 2024.
This is a great chance to meet the team, hear their ideas and how they work, get some tips on how to have a successful audition and ask lots of questions.
The session will be in two segments: 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. for children (although adults are welcome to attend) and from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. for adults.
The sessions will be done in a hybrid format. For those wishing to attend in person the session will be held at the SMT Rehearsal Unit, 51 Estate Drive, Toronto, ON (Markham and 401 area).
For those who wish to join virtually via Zoom please use the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85049280085?pwd=TTRKcTB2a0xZZ1U3VHVpTEVxZkRBdz09
AUDITION DATES/TIMES
Sunday June 2, 2024: 1:00 to 6:00pm and 7:00 to 10:00pm
Monday June 3, 2024: 6:30 to 10:00pm
Wednesday June 5, 2024: 6:30 to 10:00pm
CALL BACK DATE/TIME
Sunday June 23, 2024: 1:00 to 8:30pm
AUDITION/CALL-BACK LOCATION
SMT’s Unit, The Estate — 51 Estate Drive, Scarborough, ON. The entrance is not visible from the street but is directly across the street from the entrance to the Holiday Inn.
REHEARSAL DATES
Rehearsals will begin on September 4, 2024 and continue until November 6, 2024: Sundays 12:00pm to 6:00 pm. Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Please note there may be rehearsals during Rosh Hashanah and the Thanksgiving Day weekend (TBD). Please be sure to include any conflicts during this time on your audition sheet.
Additional or longer rehearsals will be held once the production has moved to the theatre. Rehearsals at the theatre are as follows (dates/times may be adjusted):
Sitzprobe: Date and time to be announced
Move-in: October 27, 2024 9:00am – 9:00pm
Tech/Spacing: October 28, 2024 7:00 – 10:30pm
Sound Rehearsal: October 30, 2024 from 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Q2Q Technical Rehearsal: November 3, 2024 10:00am – 10:00pm
Technical Dress Rehearsal: November 4, 2024 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra: November 5, 2024 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Final Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra: November 6, 2024 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Post Show Unit Clean Up: November 30, 2024 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Note: no rehearsal will be held on October 31, 2024
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Youth
Please prepare a short monologue (no more than 1 minute) and one song that you are comfortable performing (Disney is OK!) Monologues are available if you need one, simply indicate that you would like one when you request an audition.
Adults
Please prepare a short monologue (no more than 1 minute) and TWO contrasting songs (16-32 bars) from the classical/traditional musical theatre canon i.e.: golden age musicals (no pop/rock or contemporary.)
Adults who are only auditioning for a non-singing role just need to prepare a monologue.
Youth and Adults
Please keeping in mind the following:
- You could receive redirects of your monologue or song, so they should be memorized. Please make sure you are very comfortable with your material.
- We will likely only hear one song – the second song should be a contrasting selection, should we want to hear something additional.
- Songs should showcase your vocal range and storytelling ability. Think about the character that you are auditioning for and the types of songs they sing!
- We may cut off the songs, or we may ask you to stop mid-song, give you a re-direct, and ask you to continue.
- Please no songs from The Sound of Music – we’ll hear those on call-back day.
Please help the pianist to help you!
Make sure your sheet music is:
- In the proper key for the pianist
- Hole-punched and placed in a binder
- Preferably double-sided
- Clearly marked for the accompanist with any cuts or repeats
Please refrain from taping together sheets of music and do not bring single loose sheets of music. No recorded accompaniments.
Online Form
Once you book an audition you will be sent a link to our online audition form. Please make sure to fill this out as soon as possible. As part of the form you will be asked to provide a full list of conflicts. Be as thorough as you can. If there are changes in conflicts during the audition process, please inform the Producers, or bring an updated list to the audition and/or call backs.
The information provided will be used when creating the rehearsal schedule. Adding more or significant conflicts after casting may result in removal from the show.
CALLBACK AUDITIONS
Should you receive a callback, please assume you will need to be there for the entire session. We will provide a schedule for the session. Our intention is to start the session with children/youth. Once you have been released you are welcome to stay to watch the rest of the callback. It’s always nice for folks to have an audience that isn’t the panel.
Those called back will be asked to prepare specific scenes and musical selections from the show. These will be sent along with callback notifications and will also be available for preview online ahead of time.
Callback material does not need to be memorized but you should be familiar enough with it that you can participate and connect with your scene partners and the panel.
Note: not every role will require a callback.
Dance
There will be a dance/movement call at the callbacks for the select characters that will be more heavily involved in dance/movement throughout the show. You will be advised if you are required to participate in this with your invitation for a callback.
All those participating in the dance/movement call should please bring comfortable, non-restrictive clothing, appropriate footwear (sneakers/running shoes, jazz shoes, or character shoes) and a ‘can-do’ attitude!
MEMBERSHIP
Please note that if cast you will be required to become a member of Scarborough Music Theatre. There is a nominal fee which is offset by great benefits including complimentary tickets and half price ticket deals!
PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT
Participation in a theatre production requires a tremendous time commitment so please carefully consider whether you are willing and able to make the commitment. The number of other commitments you have should help you determine if you have the time to be in this production.
The production commitment for Sound of Music will be September 4, 2024 to November 23, 2024 and November 30, 2024. If you are cast in this show you must be available for all rehearsals (unless a conflict was stated on your audition form prior to casting) as well as all performances. At the time of the audition there will be an opportunity to state conflict dates. Please be thorough. If you have conflicts for any of the technical rehearsals at the theatre and any of the performance dates, you are not eligible to audition.
Before we move into the theatre, rehearsals will be Monday and Wednesday evenings (7:00 – 10:00) and Sunday afternoons (12:00 to 6:00). Once we move into the theatre there will be additional and longer/later rehearsals added. Please see a full list earlier in this document.
All performers in the show will be given a rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. Cast will only be required to attend rehearsal if they are indicated on the schedule.
Please note it is a lot of work to reschedule a rehearsal because of last minute conflicts. Conflicts added after the time of auditions may result in removal from the show or numbers in the show.
BOOKING AN AUDITION
To book an audition, contact auditions@smt-theatre.com. Please indicate your preference of audition date/time and role(s) you are interested in auditioning for.
CASTING INFORMATION
Casting Notes
Please note that the listed ages/ranges given in the descriptions indicate perceived appearance on stage as opposed to the actor’s chronological age. These are just guidelines. We are open to diverse casting and all roles are open to consideration regardless of background, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Physicality Codes Legend
C = basic physical contact like shaking hands, arm-in-arm and partner dancing D = a dance role
E = embracing F = fight choreography K = kissing
L = weight bearing, lifting, or being lifted SI = staged intimacy
Roles Available
Maria Rainer – A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey. She is courageous, free spirited, determined, loves children and falls in love with Captain von Trapp.
Age – 20s Gender – Female Physicality Codes – C, E, K, L
Vocal Range – soprano, B3-Bb5. Vocal Styles: Belting, Legit.
Captain Georg von Trapp – A retired Austrian Naval Captain. He is authoritative, intelligent and noble. A father to seven children. He falls in love with Maria.
Age – 40s Gender – Male Physicality Codes – C, E, K, L
Vocal Range – bass-baritone, A2-C4. Vocal Style: Legit.
Mother Abbess – The inspirational leader to the nuns at the Abbey. Authoritative and kind. She is motherly to Maria.
Age – 45+ Gender – Female Physicality Codes – E
Vocal Range – soprano, B3-Ab5. Vocal Style: Operatic, Legit.
Max Detweiler – A charming and witty man. He is good friends with the Captain and the baroness. Acts like an uncle towards the children.
Age – 35+ Gender – Male Physicality Code – C,
Vocal Range – tenor, C3-E4. Vocal Style: Legit.
Elsa Schrieder – A wealthy, sophisticated, widowed Baroness. She is the Captain’s fiancé. Very good friends with Max. Does not really like children.
Age – 35 -45 Gender – Female Physicality – C, E, K
Vocal Range – mezzo, C4-G5. Vocal Style: Legit.
Rolf Gruber – Starts out a pleasant but self-important suiter to Liesl. Becomes a Nazi soldier.
Age – 17 Gender – Male Physicality Code – C, D, E, K
Vocal Range – baritone/tenor, D3-E4.
The von Trapp children:
Liesl – She is innocent and coy. Motherly towards her siblings. Dating Rolf.
Age – 16 Gender – Female Physicality Codes – C, D, E, K, L
Vocal Range – mezzo, B3-E5.
Friedrick – He is very serious. Tries to be “the man” of the family.
Age – 14 Gender – Male Physicality Codes – C
Vocal Range – B3-G5. Vocal Styles: some falsetto
Louisa – The joker of the family, she is a little rebellious.
Age – 13 Gender – Female Physicality – C
Vocal Range – B3-D5.
Kurt – A gentle and mischievous boy who likes to think he is older than he is.
Age – 10 Gender – Male Physicality – C
Vocal Range – B3-D5. Vocal Styles: some falsetto
Brigitta – Very smart and always aware of what is happening around her.
Age – 9 Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – B3-D5.
Marta – She is sweet and quiet.
Age – 7 Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – B3-D5.
Gretl – She is sweet and wants to be loved.
Age – 5 Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – B3-D5.
Sister Berthe – The prudish, straight laced mistress of the Novices.
Age – 40+ Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – mezzo, B3-D5. Vocal Style: Legit.
Sister Margaretta – The kind and caring mistress of the Postulants.
Age – 30+ Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – mezzo, B3-F5, Vocal Style: Legit.
Sister Sophia – She is dutiful and kind but sticks with the rules of the Abbey.
Age – 30+ Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – mezzo, B3-Eb5, Vocal Style: Legit.
Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper – She is strong and determined and respected by the family. (She will sing as one of the nuns at the top of the show)
Age – 40+ Gender – Female Physicality Code – C
Vocal Range – No specific voice range required (alto, mezzo or soprano). Vocal Style: Legit.
Franz, the butler – He has been with the family many years. Humourless and formal.
Age – 40+ Gender – Male Physicality – None Vocal Range – Non-singing Role
Herr Zeller – An overbearing, stern Nazi Official.
Age – 40 + Gender – Male Physicality Code – C Vocal Range – Non-singing Role
Baron Elberfeld – Neighbour of the von Trapps.
Age – 40+ Gender – Male Physicality Code – C Vocal Range – Non-singing Role
Admiral von Schreiber – An important figure in the Austrian Navy.
Age – 40+ Gender – Male Physicality Code – C Vocal Range – Non-singing Role
Female Ensemble – Women who will be nuns, servants, party guests, wedding guests and concert contestants.
Age – 18+ Gender – Female Physicality Code – C Vocal Ranges – Various needed (soprano, mezzo and alto).