Phoenix Festival Theater to Hold Auditions for The Sound of Music

Phoenix Festival Theater will hold auditions for The Sound of Music on Wednesday, June 21; Thursday, June 22; and Friday, June 23 in the Chesapeake Theater at Harford Community College. Performances will be held at the Amoss Center in September.

Auditions are open to the public; all roles are open. Auditions for performers ages 5-16 will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Please listen to the songs “Do Re Mi” and “So Long, Farewell.” You will be taught a section of a song to sing and dance and may also be asked to read. No sheet music or tracks are necessary. Please arrive by 5:30 p.m. and plan to stay the whole time.

Auditions for teens and adults (17 years of age and older) will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Please prepare a brief vocal section in the style of the show that showcases your voice. Bring an accompaniment track on your device to sing from. No sheet music or a capella singing. There will not be a dance audition.

Callbacks by invitation only MAY be held Saturday morning for kids and June 26 for teens/adults.

Rehearsals will begin July 5 and go throughout the summer, several times a week.

For details and to sign up for an audition slot, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4BA4AD28A13-sound.

Please email Beverly Whaley at bwhaley@harford.edu with any questions.

Character descriptions follow.

Maria Rainer (soprano, dancer, 20-35) - A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.

Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, moves well, 35-50) - A 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, he is warm, understanding, and determined.

Max Detweiller (tenor/baritone, moves well, 30+) - Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.

Elsa Schrader (mezzo soprano, moves well, 30+) - A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.

Mother Abbess (legit soprano, wide vocal range, 40+, very strong actress) - Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, kind.

Sister Berthe (alto, moves well) - Mistress of Novices, prudish, strait-laced with a quick tongue; she is less tolerant than other nuns.

Sister Margaretta (mezzo, moves well) - Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned.

Sister Sophia (soprano, moves well) - Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.

Franz (non-singing) - The Von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit; he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.

Frau Schmidt (non-singing, 30+) - The housekeeper, stoic, strong and somewhat domineering.

Herr Zeller (non-singing, 40+) - Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.

Rolf Gruber (low tenor, dancer, 17) - Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.

The von Trapp children:

Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dancer, 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 her younger siblings.

Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) - Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.

Louisa von Trapp (age 13) - Rebellious attitude.

Kurt von Trapp (age 10, falsetto) - Gentle and mischievous.

Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) - Smart and intuitive.

Marta von Trapp (age 7) - Very sweet and gentle.

Gretl von Trapp (age 5) - Sassy and cute.

Ensemble:

5-10 male chorus members (17-60+ years) - Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens and Georg’s friends (of naval background).

5-10 female chorus members (17-60+ years) - Salzburg citizens, nuns, novices, postulants and contestants in the Festival Concert.