Characters in The Sound of Music
All adult members (including paid-up new members) are entitled to audition for all the adult roles, and assistance will be given in pre-audition rehearsals commencing on Monday 23rd September.
Please be aware that the stated apparent ages are for guidance as we have to have a line up that works.
| Character | Description | Apparent Age |
| Maria Rainer | A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey. Free spirited, warm, gentle and kind but with much determination. Good singing voice and likes to work with children. Needs to dance. | 20-25ish |
| Captain Georg Von Trapp | A retired Austrian Naval Captain. Polished and very Military in the way he runs his life, to repress his sadness over the death of his wife. Underneath he is warm and understanding and again, determined. Needs to move and sing well | Has 7 Children so 35-45ish |
| Max Detwiller | Charming and vital. A man of sophistication who enjoys the good life. A true and loyal friend to the Von Trapp Family. Needs to sing | similar to Von Trapp so 35-45 |
| Elsa Schrader | A Baroness of taste and Elegant. Sophisticated, dignified. Needs to Sing | similar to Von Trapp so 35-45 |
| Mother Abbess | Very strong actress and singer. Very motherly, understanding, kind, strong but with authority. | 45+
|
| Sister Bertha | Mistress of novices, rather straight laced, rather intolerant. Strong singer (alto) | |
| Sister Margarette | Mistress of Postulents. Very kind and understanding. Strong singer | |
| Sister Sophia | Neither demanding or critical. Tends to stick to the rules (soprano) |
|
| Franz
|
The Von Trapp butler. Rather formal but not without spirit. He is very german and loyal to the fascist cause (non singing). | 40+ |
| Frau Schmitt | Housekeeper, does her job efficiently but without affections. Strong and somewhat dominating (non singing) | 40+ |
| Rolf Gruber | Telegram delivery boy, but later a Nazi soldier. A suitor to Liesel. Starts as a pleasant 17 year old, somewhat aggressive.
Needs to sing and dance.
|
17 |
| Herr Zeller | Stern and unsmiling. Typical Nazi Officer who’s primary concern is to see that everyone tows the line (non singing) | 40+ |
Children's parts. Children need to pre-register and do not attend the above rehearsals. Please email ian@stretch.org.uk for a Junior Auditions information pack.
| Character | Description | Apparent Age |
| Liesel | Must be able to dance.She is blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys (ie Rolf).
She cares for her younger siblings. |
16 |
| Friedrick | Tough on the outside and very much trying to be the head of the house. Needs his father to acknowledge him. | 14 |
| Louisa | Slightly rebellious, just wants to have a good time | 13 |
| Kurt | Gentle, easily hurt, but slightly mischievous | 10 |
| Brigitta | Smart, reads a lot, tells the truth and notices things | 9 |
| Marta | Sweet and gentle | 7 |
| Gretel | Wants to be loved. Must have cute factor | 6 |
The chorus is made up of Nuns, Neighbours, Nazi Officers and smaller named parts at the party.
The nuns are a very important part because of their singing.
PREPARING FOR AUDITIONS
If you take on a principal role you are committing to do a lot of homework throughout the 3 month rehearsal period and this begins before the audition. To demonstrate your commitment to the audition panel you should prepare by reading the entire script several times to understand exactly what the part involves and how the character fits in to the story. Do your own research into the background of the character and learn the audition dialogue and music. Directors will usually give some general pointers as to how they see the character but most are open-minded and want to see your interpretation.
The Friday Pre-Audition Rehearsal is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- go through the audition music with the pianist who will be playing at the audition. This may be the MD or a rehearsal pianist, however, you should already have practised at home.
- go through the dialogue with the people that will be reading-in at the auditions. You should have already thought carefully about the scene and how you would expect it to be staged, having regard to references in the script describing the scenery and furniture and any stage directions such as where the character enters from etc.
- explain to the readers where you would like them to stand, move around and react to your moves.
Bearing in mind that there are many other candidates waiting for their turn, your session with the readers should take no more than about 10 minutes. This is not an opportunity for you to ask how you should play the part or deliver a line. lf you need that sort of help or advice. you should arrange it privately with a suitable person (not the Director) at another time.