Auditions
King Lear
by William Shakespeare
Auditions
October 14 & 15 @ 7pm at Aliso Niguel High School Theatre, 28000 Wolverine Way, Aliso Viejo
This is a COMMUNITY theatre production, not a high school production. Looking for actors 18+, though minor actors may be considered.
Callbacks scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 7pm
Rehearsals begin November 18
Production
Dates January 24 - February 2, 2025
Audition Form
One of Shakespeare's most tragic and profound works, telling the story of King Lear, who, in a moment of tragic folly, decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their expressions of love for him. The consequences of this ill-fated decision lead to betrayal, madness, and ultimate tragedy.
The role of King Lear has already been cast. All other roles are open.
39 Steps Auditions
Cold Sides and Improvisation
Monday, August 7, 7pm
Callbacks August 9th, 7pm if necessary
Rehearsals: Monday, August 14 (M-TH)
Show: September 29-October 1
Location: Aliso Niguel High School
All roles open. Cast will be expanded from the original 4 actors. Auditioning ages 16-106.
Auditions will consist of cold readings and improvisation. Physicality is important to the show and will be considered.
Group auditions. Please arrive on time and plan to stay up to two hours.
Rehearsals begin: Monday, August 14, running M-TH
Shows: September 29 & 30, 7pm, October 1, 2pm
Rehearsals/Performances at Aliso Niguel High School
Roles:The Man:
Richard Hannay: about forty (give or take a decade), a quick witted, dapper, English gentleman who is living an unfulfilled in life. Upon meeting the secret agent Annabella, Richard has to go on the run and finds himself involved in a plot that could save his whole country.
The Women (to be played by 1-3 women):
Annabella Schmidt: An exotic secret agent, Annabella Schmidt is in dire need of Hannay’s help. (german accent)
Pamela: A beautiful woman, Pamela is lured into Hannay’s adventure but is skeptical of his claims of innocence. (British accent)
Margaret: the farmer’s wife, Margaret is a shy young woman who dreams of life and adventure in the city. (scottish accent)
The Rest: (2-10 actors to play dozens more characters)
Any gender – heroes, villains, men, women, and even the occasional inanimate object – auditions for these parts will include significant physicality and improvisational work. Bring your best (or worst) accents to show off -- Scottish, British, Bond Villain, indeterminate but clearly foreign, etc.)Actors playing all roles will have significant stage time as living stage scenery, sound and visual effects, in addition to roles both scripted and unscripted.
The following sides will be used in the audition. Actors will asked to choose one character to present. Actors will then be asked to try this or other sides in various ways, improvisationally.
- Annabella-Hannay-p.18-19
- Clowns-Hannay-p.30-32
- Compere-MrMemory-p.11-12
- Crofter-Maragaret-Hannay-p.43-44
- Hannay-p.9-10
- Crofter-Maragaret-Hannay-p.43-44
- Pamela-Hannay-p.76-77
- Milkman-Hannay-p.23-24
- McGarrigles-Hannay-p.80-81
- Heavies-Hannay-p.74-75
- Hannay-ProfJordan-p.57-58
Please note the accents that are important for this show, primarily British and Scottish. A short how to on the Scottish accent is provided here for your assistance -- feel free to go full Mike Myers!
You can complete the audition form attached and bring to the audition: Audition Form
King Lear (60-80) King of Britain. Lear is the protagonist whose willingness to believe empty flattery leads to the deaths of many people.
Goneril (35-45) Lear's eldest daughter who, after professing her deep love for her father, betrays him and plots his murder.
Regan (35-45) Lear's second daughter. Regan joins forces with Goneril to destroy their father. Regan initially appears less harsh than her elder sister, but in the end, she proves to be as blood-thirsty as Goneril.
Please prepare the Goneril side to audition for Regan
Cordelia (25-35) Lear's youngest daughter. Cordelia genuinely loves her father, but her refusal to flatter him leads to her tragic death.
Fool (25-60) Loyal member of the king's court. The Fool assumes the role of protector to Lear when Cordelia is banished.
Edmund (25-35) Gloucester's younger, illegitimate, son. He is an opportunist whose ambitions lead him to form a union with Goneril and Regan.
Duke of Albany (35-60) Goneril's husband. Albany grows in stature during the play and ultimately finds the strength to resist his wife's efforts to have Lear killed.
Edgar/Poor Tom (25-35)
Gloucester's older son. Edgar is Gloucester's only legitimate heir, but he must flee and hide from his father, disguised as Poor Tom, when he comes under suspicion.
Earl of Kent / Caius (40-60)
Lear's loyal friend and supporter. Although banished, Kent disguises himself as Caius in an effort to stay close to his king.
Earl of Gloucester (50-70)
Lear's cohort and loyal friend. Gloucester is a foolish old man whose inability to see the truth in his youngest son's words parallels Lear's own difficulties with Goneril and Regan.
Duke of Cornwall (35-60) Regan's brutal husband. Cornwall is vicious and savage as he tries to eliminate Lear and Gloucester.
Please prepare the Albany side to audition for Cornwall.
Oswald (25-50) Goneril's steward. Oswald is a willing accomplice to Goneril's plotting and proves a foil to Kent's devotion to Lear.
Please prepare one of the other sides to audition for Oswald.
King of France (30-40) Marries Cordelia. France is honorable and willing to support Cordelia's efforts to rescue her father
Please prepare one of the other sides to audition for France.
Duke of Burgundy (25-45) Suitor for Cordelia. Burgundy rejects Cordelia when he discovers that she will bring him no dowry.
Please prepare one of the other sides to audition for Burgundy.
various knights, attendants, messengers, and other ensemble
The Sound of Music
by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Auditions
May 4th, 1:00-6:30pm, & May 5th, 6:00-10:00pm, 2025
at Aliso Niguel High School Theatre, 28000 Wolverine Way, Aliso Viejo
This is a COMMUNITY theatre production, not a high school production.
Looking for actors 18+ for adult roles.
Sound of Music will also be open to youth actors ages 6-17 for younger roles. Actors 17 and under will be charged $100 participation fee, no sibling discount.
Rehearsals begin June 2, 2025
Production Dates July 25 - August 3, 2025
Those wishing to audition should prepare the song and side materials for your character from our chosen AUDITION MATERIALS.
Please also fill out this AUDITION FORM and bring to audition appointment with a photo and resume if you have them.
AUDITION APPOINTMENTS ARE FULL, BUT THERE WILL BE A WAITLIST FOR WALK-UPS.
Character Breakdown:
Maria Rainer (soprano, dances/moves well)
Nun– young, free spirited, warm, gentle, kind with much determination
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 25-35
Vocal range: B5 to C4
Captain Georg Von Trapp (baritone, moves well)
Retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, warm, understanding, and determined
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 35-40+
Vocal range: D5 to F#2/Gb2
Elsa Schraeder (mezzo soprano, moves well)
A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 35 to 45
Vocal range: F5 to D4
Max Detweiler (tenor/baritone, moves well)
Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 30+
Vocal range: F4-D3
The Mother Abbess (soprano, very strong actress)
Nun-Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 40+
Vocal range: G#5/Ab5 to B3
Sister Berthe (mezzo/alto, moves well)
Nun-Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, less tolerant than other nuns
Gender: Female
Age to be played: [open]Vocal range: E5 to C4
Sister Margaretta (mezzo/soprano, moves well)
Nun: Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned
Gender: Female
Age to be played: [open]Vocal range: E5 to B3
Sister Sophia (mezzo/soprano, moves well)
Nun: Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules
Gender: Female
Age to be played: [open]Vocal range: E5 to B3
Liesl Von Trapp (mezzo, dances/moves well)
Oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings.
Gender of Role: Female
Age to be played: 16
Vocal range: E5 to B3
Friedrich Von Trapp (tenor, dances/moves well)
Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 14
Vocal range: G5 to C4
Louisa Von Trapp (mezzo, dances/moves well)
Rebellious attitude
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 13
Vocal range: G5 to C4
Kurt Von Trapp (countertenor/falsetto, dances/moves well)
Gentle and mischievous
Gender of Role: Male
Age to be played: 10
Vocal range: G5 to C4
Brigitta Von Trapp (mezzo, dances/moves well)
Smart, reads a lot.
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 9
Vocal range: G5 to C4
Marta Von Trapp (mezzo, dances/moves well)
One of the quietest Von Trapps. Loves the color pink, is very inquisitive, smart and gentle.
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 7
Vocal range: G5 to C4
Gretl Von Trapp (mezzo, dances/moves well)
Youngest Von Trapp. Very quiet when first introduced by her father. Sweet, loving and wants attention. She must have a cute, adorable and endearing factor.
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 5
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
Rolf Gruber (low tenor/baritone, dances/moves well)
Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 17
Vocal range: E5 to C4
Franz
Von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, very German and loyal to the Fascist cause. (may double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Male (but will consider any gender)
Age to be played: open
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
Frau Schmidt
Housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Female
Age to be played: [open]Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
Herr Zeller
Stern and unsmiling, typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 30+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
Baron Elberfeld (featured ensemble, moves well)
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. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 30+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
Baroness Elberfeld (featured ensemble, moves well)
A neighbor of Captain von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld. (May double as other ensemble member.)
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 30+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
A New Postulant (featured ensemble, mezzo/soprano, moves well)
A smart, well-dressed young girl. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 16+
Vocal range: E5 to B3
Admiral von Schreiber (featured ensemble)
Important figure in the Austrian Navy and much respected by Captain Von Trapp. Agreed to be part of the new regime with Germany. Arrives to bring Captain von Trapp to Berlin. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: Male
Age to be played: 30+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
AENGERBUND OF HERWEGEN TRIO (featured ensemble, playful, energetic, happy)
Three-person performance group at the Festival Concert. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: [open]Age to be played: 16+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singers
FRAULEIN SCHWEIGER (featured ensemble, overly appreciative)
Female performer in the Festival Concert. (May double as other ensemble member)
Gender: [open]Age to be played: 16+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singer
NUNS ENSEMBLE (featured ensemble, must be able to move)
Nuns, novices, and postulants who live in the Nonnberg Abbey. (May double as other ensemble members)
Gender: Female
Age to be played: 14+
Vocal range: E5 to C4
AUSTRIAN and NAZI ENSEMBLE (featured ensemble, strong dancers/move well)
Gender: all
Age to be played: 16+
Vocal range: Ensemble Singers