Watch this space for audition details

WCP/BHCT is committed to a policy of open auditions. Our success depends on the full participation of talented and committed people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Neither experience nor membership is required to audition.

Unless otherwise indicated, auditions will be held in the WCP/BHCT Walker Building at 224 Commercial Street in Waterloo. Interested individuals need only attend one audition session.

Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit. Please stop by the WCP/BHCT Walker Building during normal business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 11am-5pm) to pick up a script.

Waterloo Community Playhouse

announces auditions for its production of

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Sound of Music

Produced by Arrangement with Concord Theatricals

Director: Anita Ross

Musical Director: Bethany Brooks

Choreographer: Mandy Masmar

AUDITION DATES

Sunday, August 31 at 1:00

<OR> Tuesday, September 2 at 6:00

PRODUCTION DATES

Friday, Nov 21-Sunday, Dec 7

AUDITION LOCATION

WCP/BHCT Walker Building

224 Commercial St.

Waterloo, Iowa 50701

SYNOPSIS

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate 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.

AUDITION DETAILS

Initial auditions will consist of three parts: a vocal (musical) audition, a dance/movement audition, and acting audition with selections chosen from the script.

For the vocal/music auditions:

Please prepare the following excerpts for the audition. If you are interested in multiple characters, please prepare your top choice.

This production will feature a live pit orchestra, so an audition accompanist will be provided. Accompaniment backing tracks for practicing can be found here (see timings below). For vocal references, the original Broadway cast recording can be found here.

Sheet music may be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TH6H9oLzuYcdewS2AfOeQXFwCpVV6_GY?usp=drive_link

Maria - No. 2 - “The Sound of Music”, pickup to m. 58-end (track #2, 2:10 - end)

No. 14 - “The Lonely Goatherd”, m. 3-18 (track #8, 0:00 - 0:20)

(Be prepared to range test)

Captain - No.42 - “Edelweiss”, m. 5-37 (track #16, 0:08 - 1:05)
Elsa & Max - No. 16 - “How Can Love Survive”, m. 69-94 (track #9, 1:13 - 1:39)
Von Trapp Children (excluding Liesl) - No. 24 - “So Long, Farewell”, pickup to m. 5-19 (stay on bottom line until m. 18-19) (track #11, 0:09 - 0:36)
Mother Abbess - No. 28 - “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, pickup to m. 25-42 (be prepared to range test) (track #12, 1:08 - 2:00)
Rolf - No. 11 - “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, m. 27-52 (track #7, 0:53 - 1:40)
Liesl - No. 11 - “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, m. 87-104 (track #7, 2:17 - 2:49)
Nuns Chorus / Sisters Margaretta, Berthe, and Sophia - No.4 - “Maria”, m. 70 - 91 (sing all parts) (track #3, 0:50 - 1:36)

For the dance/movement audition: Please be prepared to learn a dance section to music.
For the acting audition: You will perform cold readings of selections from the musical.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Maria Rainer: Female, 20-35: A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey - young, free-spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.

Vocal range top: B5/Vocal range bottom: C4

Captain Georg von Trapp: Male, 30-45: A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his live to repress his sadness over the death of his wife. Underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.

Vocal range top: D4/Vocal range bottom: F#2/Gb2

Max Detweiller: Male, 35+: Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.

Vocal range top: F4/Vocal range bottom: D3

Elsa Schrader: female, 30+:A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.

Vocal range top: F5/Vocal range bottom: D4

Mother Abbess: Female, 45+: Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind.

Vocal range top: G#5/Ab5/Vocal range bottom: B3

Sister Berthe: Female, 25+: Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue. She is less tolerant than the other nuns.

Vocal range top: E5/Vocal range bottom: C4

Sister Margaretta: Female, 25+: Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.

Vocal range top: E5/Vocal range bottom: B3

Sister Sophia: Female, 25+: Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.

Vocal range top: E5/Vocal range bottom: B3

Franz: Male, 30+:The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit. He is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.

Frau Schmidt: Female, 30+: The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality. She does her job efficiently, but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating.

Herr Zeller: Male, 25+: Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.

Rolf Gruber: Male, 16-18 (must look 17): Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi sold. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.

Vocal range top: E5/Vocal range bottom: C4

The von Trapp Children

Liesl (B3-E5, age 16) The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for younger siblings.
Friedrich (C4-G5, age 14) Tough exterior, very much trying to be "the man" of the family.
Louisa (C4-G5, age 13) Rebellious attitude
Kurt (C4-G5, age 10, falsetto) Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta (C4-G5, age 9) Smart, reads a lot.
Marta (C4-G5, age 7) Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl (C4-G5, age 6) Must have the cute factor.

Ensemble

Includes: Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens, new postulant, nuns, novices, postulants, contestants in the Festival concert and Georg's friends.

GENERAL FAQS

WCP/BHCT is committed to a policy of open auditions. Our success depends on the full participation of talented and committed people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit. Please stop by the WCP/BHCT Walker Building during normal business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 11am-5pm) to pick up a script.

Please contact Anita at anita.ross@wcpbhct.org if you have questions or concerns.

BHCT announces

Auditions for

The BHCT Academy

A STUDIO-STYLE ACTING TROUPE for CREATIVE KIDS

Audition Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 4:30

Audition Venue: WCP/BHCT Walker Building - 224 Commercial St. Waterloo

Auditions open to: 6th-9th graders interested in improving collaborative skills and theatrical technique.

Troupe Meetings: most Tuesdays, September 9, 2024 through May 5, 2025 from 4:30-6:00

Black Hawk Children’s Theatre is looking for open-minded, creative kids to audition for The Academy Theatre Troupe. This troupe of aspiring performers from 6th-9th grades will develop and hone their performance skills while working on ensemble building through games, exercises, and projects and focusing on training and technique to encompass theatrical experiences that support individual growth, collaborative play, and artistic exploration.Through the course of the season, the actors will explore different elements of theatrical training while growing a personal awareness of their own artistry and skills.

Audition Information:

Interested students must come prepared with a one-minute memorized speech, monologue, or poem.

Additional Information:

Tuition for the program is $180/year. Individual semesters are $100.

Neither experience nor membership is required to audition. WCP/BHCT is committed to a policy of open and inclusive participation. Our success depends on the full participation of talented people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please contact Anita at 319-235-0367 or anita.ross@wcpbhct.org if you have any questions.