2023 SEASON AUDITION NOTICE (updated 01/30/23)

Local Auditions for Children for “The Sound of Music” at Ivoryton Playhouse – Monday, February 13th

Ivoryton Playhouse will be holding local auditions for non Equity actors for a summer production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The auditions will be held at the Ivoryton Playhouse Administrative Offices, 22 Main Street in Centerbrook on Monday, February 13th from 4-6pm.

All auditions are by appointment. Bring a picture and resume and prepare a song in the style of the show. For audition appointments, call 860-767-9520, ext.207 or email nathan@ivorytonplayhouse.org

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Director: Jacqueline Hubbard;
Choreographer: Francesca Webster; Musical Director: Mark Ceppetelli

First rehearsal- 6/13/2023
First performance- 6/29/2023
Close – 7/30/2023

Character breakdown
Prepare song in the style of the show

Liesl Von Trapp (Lead): Female, Late Teen – Mezzo Soprano
At age 16, Liesl is the eldest of the Von Trapp siblings. She is innocent, naïve, coy, flirtatious, headstrong and infatuated with Rolf. She is pretty but unsophisticated and tends to think everything is wonderful. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply and lovingly for her younger siblings.
Age to be played as: 16; Vocal range: E5 to B3; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Good dancing skills

Friedrich Von Trapp (Supporting): Male, Early Teen – Tenor
Frederich is 14 and is proud to be a boy. He has a tough exterior and is very much trying to be “the man” of the family; desperately needs his father.
Age to be played as: 14; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Louisa Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Early Teen – Mezzo Soprano
Louisa is 13, clever, and full of mischief. She is the master of pranks and enjoys pulling them on others. She is quite a tomboy, has a rebellious attitude, and misses her mother a great deal.
Age to be played as: 13; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Kurt Von Trapp (Supporting): Male, Child – Countertenor/falsetto
Kurt is 10. He wants to be 11 and introduces himself as “11-almost”. He is the second boy and the middle of the children. He often tries to act manly and is outspoken against the previous governesses. He is gentle and a peacemaker.
Age to be played as: 10; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Falsetto, Yodeling, Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Brigitta Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano
Brigitta is 9. She is smart as a whip, very perceptive and always tells the truth whether you like it or not. She’s an avid reader and suspicious of “Uncle Max”.
Age to be played as: 9; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Marta Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano
Marta is 7. She is one of the quietest Von Trapps. She loves the color pink, is very inquisitive, smart,gentle. Age to be played as: 7; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Gretl Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano
Gretl is 5. She is the youngest Von Trapp. She is very quiet when first introduced by her father. She is sweet, loving and wants attention. She must have the cute, adorable and endearing factor.
Age to be played as: 5; Vocal range: G5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Rolf Gruber (Supporting): Male, Late Teen – Baritone
Rolf is 17 and is the telegram delivery boy friend of Liesl. He is self important, boasting, a very pleasant young man, and somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way. Rolf has Hitler as his paternal role model and the Nazi regime as a future goal. He seems to know an enormous amount of what is going on because of his job and seems to relish his spying tactics.
Age to be played as: 17; Vocal range: E5 to C4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Good dancing skills

Actors may send a video submission to: casting@ivorytonplayhouse.org

Notice for 01/23 – 01/24/23 NYC: For Equity members, Ivoryton Playhouse auditions for LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE and ON GOLDEN POND will take place at Pearl Studios in NYC on Monday January 23rd and Tuesday January 24th. Please email nathan@ivorytonplayhouse.org confirming your Equity status and he will respond with an appointment time. If you would prefer to send a video submission for either of those shows, please send to: Casting@ivorytonplayhouse.org

Ivoryton Playhouse 2023 Season – Plays & Musicals

Schedule for all shows: Wednesday, Sunday matinees; evening performances Wednesday – Saturday (except first week which has Thursday instead of Wednesday matinee and no Wednesday evening,).

Auditions for musicals – prepare 32 bars in the style of the show.

Auditions for plays – sides are available within this posting

There are no auditions currently planned after 01/24/23 – in the event of additional audition dates in future, please bring a picture and resume, stapled together. Our 2023 Season productions are:

THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE
by Matthew Lopez
Director: Todd Underwood

First rehearsal – 3/21/2023
First performance – 4/6/2023
Close – 4/30/2023

Character breakdowns with sides

CASEY: Male Identifying, 20’s, white.
A charismatic and good-looking small-town high school football star turned Elvis impersonator, with the biggest of hearts. He loves his wife ferociously; dreams big, if not always practically; but his charm and optimism are infectious. Married to Jo. He becomes Georgia McBride, his new drag queen persona with Elvis/country/rock and roll roots; a force of nature; sexy, flirtatious, athletic, joyous, and fierce. NOTE: The role requires dancing in heels, lip-syncing, and singing. Playing guitar is a plus.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-CASEY-pg-43.pdf

JO: Female Identifying, African American. She is Casey’s wife.
A hardheaded realist who is prone to being fatalistic, insecure about her appearance, but still a striking young woman. Determined, quick-witted, tough without being bitchy. Loves Casey wholeheartedly; she is his grounding force. Supportive of Casey’s dreams, but aware of their financial hardships, and her newly discovered pregnancy.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-JO-pg-8-9.pdf

MISS TRACY MILLS: Male Identifying or non-binary, 40s-59s, any ethnicity.
A well-seasoned and very gifted Drag Queen, Professional, Confident, and very funny, with a heart of gold. Tracy’s bitchiness is of the harmless variety. Intelligent, kind, protective, resourceful, and nurturing. A natural mentor and drag mother to Casey. She combats strife with a razor wit and a steely determination. Equal parts inspiration and desperation. When she’s not embracing her drag persona, she is Bobby, Eddie’s cousin. NOTE: The role requires dancing in heels and lip-syncing.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-TRACY-pg-13-14.pdf

REXY/JASON: Male Identifying or non-binary, 20s-30s, any ethnicity.

Rexy: Fiery, Combative, Emotional, she’s a sharp-tongued drag queen with a dark past and destructive behavior; a trashy girl who fancies herself the most sophisticated lady in the room. A fellow drag performer of Miss Tracy Mills.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-REXY-pg-57.pdf

Jason: Casey and Jo’s sweet-natured best friend and neighbor. Casey’s high school buddy and now Landlord. A young father, henpecked at home, surprises you with warmth and insight. NOTE: The role requires dancing in heels and lip-syncing.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-JASON-pg-18-top-of-19.pdf

EDDIE: Male Identifying, 50s-60s, any ethnicity.
The no-frills owner of Cleo’s Bar on the beach in Panama City, Florida, and Bobby’s (aka/Miss Tracy) older cousin. Easily flustered, rough around the edges, a walking ulcer, but a huge heart. His curmudgeon exterior shields his open-hearted generosity and empathy. He starts off as the world’s worst emcee but transforms into an amateur showman who secretly loves the spotlight.

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Georgia-McBride-EDDIE-pg-7.pdf

ON GOLDEN POND
by Ernest Thompson
Director: Brian Feehan

First rehearsal – 5/2/2023
First performance – 5/18/2023
Close – 6/11/2023

Character breakdown:

Norman Thayer, Jr.: Nearing his eightieth birthday, Norman is flirting with senility and is aware of it enough to use it to his advantage, usually with sarcastic humor. A former professor of English, he is a curmudgeon, as he feels his age entitles him to be. He is very much in love with Ethel, his wife, but doesn’t quite know what to do about their daughter, Chelsea. CAST

Ethel Thayer: Ten years younger than Norman, Ethel is a spritely, active woman who loves her husband completely and who is in love with simply being alive. She is a caregiver, sweetheart, and friend to Norman. Decisive, loving, and sociable. CAST

Charlie Martin: The local delivery-by-boat mailman, Charlie is a long-time family friend and a typical Maine down-Easterner. Still single, he has had a life-long crush on Chelsea.

Chelsea Thayer Wayne: Attractive, divorced, and in her forties, Chelsea is still dealing with the lack of closeness between her and Norman. She is engaged to Bill Ray, whom she brings to meet her parents.

Billy Ray: The fourteen-year-old son of Bill Ray, he is a typical California teenager who comes to spend a month with Norman and Ethel on Golden Pond while his father and Chelsea are in Europe. He masks his self-doubt with overconfidence.

Bill Ray: A dentist, Chelsea’s fiancé, and Billy’s father, Bill is definitely not the outdoors type. He is trying his best to make a good impression on Norman and Ethel. Honest and straightforward, he stands up to Norman.

SIDES:

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/Charlie-and-Ethel.pdf

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/On-Golden-Pond-Chelsea-and-Ethel.pdf

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/On-Golden-Pond-Norman-and-Bill.pdf

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/On-Golden-Pond-Norman-and-Billy.pdf

https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/On-Golden-Pond-Norman-and-Ethel.pdf

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Director: Jacqueline Hubbard;
Choreographer: Francesca Webster; Musical Director: Mark Ceppetelli

First rehearsal- 6/13/2023
First performance- 6/29/2023
Close – 7/30/2023

Character breakdown
Prepare song in the style of the show

Maria Rainer (Lead): Female, Adult – Soprano – CAST
A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – Maria is a headstrong, free-spirited young woman. She is spunky, opinionated, warm, resourceful, youthful, gentle and kind with much determination. CAST

Captain Georg von Trapp (Lead): Male, Adult – Bass Baritone – CAST
A retired Austrian naval captain. He is a widower. He’s polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life; underneath, he is warm, understanding and determined. Regimented, dignified, commanding, manly, polished, noble, intelligent. CAST

Max Detweiler (Lead): Male, Adult – Tenor – CAST
A theatrical agent and First Secretary of Education and Culture – a personal friend of Von Trapp and a sort of uncle to his children. He is clever at his job, charming, witty, and quite pushy to get what he wants. He has a humorous personality. He enjoys the good life and those that live the good life. CAST

The Mother Abbess (Lead): Female, Mature Adult – Soprano – CAST
The Mother Abbess is an inspirational leader for all the nuns at the Abby. She is a true big-hearted mother figure, loved, adored and respected. She has a bit of hidden spunk. CAST

Baroness Elsa Schraeder (Lead): Female, Adult – Mezzo Soprano
A very wealthy widow, who is president of her late husband’s corporation. Elegant, sophisticated city person. Clever and canny, she has begun a flirtation with Captain Von Trapp. She is very much into making a good social arrangement.
Age to be played as: 30-45; Vocal range: F5 to D4; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Good dancing skills

Sister Berthe (Supporting): Female, Adult/Mature – Mezzo Soprano
A nun who is the Mistress of Novices. She does not think that headstrong, freespirited postulants belong at the Abby. She is a no nonsense type, officious and very strict. She is not a supporter of Maria. She is a killjoy, self-righteous,straight-laced, prim and a bit of a prude.
Age to be played as: 30+; Vocal range: E5 to C4; Dancing: Must be able to move

Sister Margaretta (Supporting): Female, Young Adult/Adult – Mezzo Soprano
A nun who is the Mistress of Postulants. She is kind and understanding. A supporter of Maria. She is positive, encouraging, concerned and has a sense of humor.
Age to be played as: 20+; Vocal range: E5 to B3; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Sister Sophia (Featured): Female, Adult – Mezzo Soprano
Sister Sophia is a nun who always stays in line. She is very dutiful and kind. She would rather take the middle road to avoid controversy.
Age to be played: 30+; Vocal range: E5 to B3; Vocal Technique: Legit; Dancing: Must be able to move

Franz (Featured): Male, Adult/Mature Adult – Non-singing
Originally a sort of protector to Captain Von Trapp in the Navy, he is now retired into his position as valet, which he carries out with somber efficiency. He is humorless and appears harmless but underneath we discover he is secretly plotting with the Nazi party Anschluss.
Age to be played: 30+; Voice: Spoken; Dancing: Non dancer

Frau Schmidt (Featured): Female, Mature Adult – Non-singing
The Von Trapp family housekeeper, Frau Schmidt does her job efficiently but without affection. She is strong and somewhat dominating. She has been around a long time and hates the way she is treated with whistles by the Baron. It affects her dignity. She appears to be a thoroughly reliable member of the staff and respected by all.
Age to be played: 40+; Voice: Spoken; Dancing: Non dancer

Herr Zeller (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing
A sort of district governor appointed by the Nazi Regime to prepare the Anschluss. He is overbearing, arrogant and autocratic, self-important and pompous. Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Age to be played: 40; Voice: Spoken; Dancing: Non dancer

Baron Elberfeld (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing
A neighbor of the Von Trapps and one of the “Old Guards” of Austria – violently opposed to the takeover of his beloved country by Nazi Germany. Can double with other roles in the ensemble. The baron attends the ball thrown by Captain Von Trapp in Elsa’s honor.
Age to be played: 30+; Voice: Spoken; Dancing: Must be able to move

Baroness Elberfeld (Featured): Female, Adult – Non-singing
A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld.
Age to be played: 30+;Voice: Spoken;Dancing: Must be able to move

Admiral Von Schreiber (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing
An important figure in the Austrian Navy and appears to be much respected by Captain Von Trapp. He has obviously agreed to be part of the new regime with Germany. He arrives to collect Captain Von Trapp and bring him to Berlin.
Age to be played: 30+; Voice: Spoken; Dancing: Non dancer

JERSEY BOYS
by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Music by Bob Gaudio. Lyrics by Bob Crewe

Director/Choreographer – Todd Underwood. Musical Director – Michael Morris

First rehearsal- 7/25/2023
First performance- 8/10/2023
Close – 9/10/2023

Character Breakdown
Prepare song in the style of the show

Frankie Valli– a strong tenor with sweet and strong falsetto and be able to sing in the style of Frankie Valli; strong tenor to high A or Bb plus strong falsetto up to treble G; charismatic and charming; must be a very strong actor (comfortable with narrative text) and have a gritty side as well as a polished veneer;must be very comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies.

Nick Massi- a strong bass/baritone voice; must be very comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies; must be comfortable with narrative text; a quiet dreamer who longs for life after The Four Seasons.

Bob Gaudio- a strong tenor/baritone voice; must be very comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies; must be comfortable with narrative text; an intelligent, sensitive, and introspective musical prodigy.

Tommy DeVito- a strong tenor/baritenor voice; must be very comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies; must be comfortable with narrative text; ability to play guitar a very strong plus; a natural-born leader with an appealing, bad-boy quality.

Joe Pesci- young, energetic; must be a good actor and a strong singer.

Bob Crewe- intelligent and flamboyant; genius music producer and lyricist; an integral part of creating the magic of The Four Seasons.

Gyp DeCarlo- tough, mafioso type; must be a good actor and strong singer.

Mary Delgado- a strong singer, actor, and dancer; Frankie’s wife; tough, “seen it all,” Italian, Jersey girl; she’s got a killer sense of humor; actor also plays a variety of other roles, including member of a 60s style girl group; strong belt useful; high straight tone soprano also useful but not required.

Lorraine and Francie- versatile actress, singer, and dancer with flexible vocal registers to play a variety of roles (the many girlfriends of The Four Seasons, etc); should fit well together a la 60s band Shangri-las and be believable as “tough-as-nails” Jersey girls; must be very comfortable with traditional four-part harmonies; must have strong belt.

THE COLOR PURPLE
by Marsha Norman. Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray

Director/Choreographer – Todd Underwood. Musical Director – Nygel D. Robinson

First rehearsal – 9/12/2023
First performance – 9/28/2023
Close – 10/22/2023

Character Breakdown
Prepare song in the style of the show

Celie: (African-American, 20s-early 30s): Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but really not, has a deep, hard soul, believes that she is ugly, has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.

Shug: (African-American, 30s-40s): A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. She is loved by both Celie and Mister. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.

Mister: (African-American, 30s-40s. Also known as ALBERT): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Gets his power for free. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms into a kind man by the end of the story. Needs a great singing voice.

Sofia: (African-American, 30s): Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger but beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Needs a great belt singing voice.

Harpo: (African-American, 20s): Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful, as Sofia is considerably stronger than he is. Harpo eventually establishes a juke joint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.

Nettie: (African-American, 20s): Celie’s younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.

Squeak: (African-American, 20s): Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. She is of mixed ancestry. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability.

Ensemble Adult Singers: Males and females, 20s – 50s, African-American. All types and singing ranges. Need fantastic singing voices and dynamic personalities to play various roles in the ensemble. The ensemble includes a trio known as Church Ladies, busybody types who are featured throughout the show.

Prepare song in the style of the show