Opera/Musical Theatre Ensemble Auditions

two vocal musicians performing

AUDITIONS

Continuing students, new students and students from across campus in all fields of study are encouraged to audition. Our main stage productions provide terrific opportunities to perform and collaborate, and to earn course credit. The Departments of Music and Theatre Arts & Dance are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We encourage all students interested in performing to audition regardless of cultural background, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

 

Steps to Audition

for Spring Awakening

1. Complete the Audition Questionnaire
Sign-in using your SSU account: Select 'SIGN-IN', then type your FULL SSU email address (i.e. abcd@sonoma.edu) then click next. Then sign-in to the SSU portal with your SSU credentials.

AUDITION UPLOAD INFO- What to consider as you prepare your videos for the questionnaire

*At least one song and monologue should be recorded in full-body, so we can see you speak, move and breathe from head to toe. 

1- Submit a video recording of you singing 2 (two) contrasting, memorized songs.  You are encouraged to find 1-2 minute highlight excerpts of the songs. Full songs will be accepted. Songs should be accompanied by a piano or track. 

Please introduce each song before singing it. 

2- Submit a video recording of two contrasting, memorized 1-2 minute monologues. 

and

3- Create and record a 30-90 sec movement piece either in open space or using a simple chair. You may use your choice of music, sing and move, or move in silence. 

*Don't worry too much about video quality as long as you can be seen and heard.

*Do be prepared to recreate your pieces in real time either in person or through video conference.

2. Review all the information (audition format, rehearsals, performance dates) for each production, to ensure your schedule can accommodate all show commitments.


Show Commitments

Participation in Spring Awakening will be credited as a class. 

Music majors, Music minors and non-majors should register for MUSIC 330 in the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Theatre Arts & Dance majors register for THAR 330 in the fall and spring semesters. 

Rehearsal times fall as indicated below on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and on one Saturday per month*. For this production, only those rehearsing will be called, but the cast must be available for all the times listed below. Community members are encouraged to audition. 

 

AUDITIONS

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, auditions will be submitted online through the Audition Questionnaire.

Auditions will be accepted:

August 14–21, 2020

 

AUDITIONS Callbacks

Callbacks will be on Saturday and/or Sunday, August 22/August 23, 2020

Callbacks may be handled by video conference (Zoom).


First Rehearsal

August 25, 7-10p by video conference

 

Rehearsal Call Times

FALL 2020, Online (or GMC 1027 & 1028 if possible)
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-10p plus designated Saturdays, from 10am-5pm (TBA)

 

SPRING 2021

Rehearsal GMC 1027 and GMC 1028 (If possible)

Monday thru Thursday evenings, from 7-10pm  Jan 19-Feb 12, 2021(?)

PERSON THEATRE (if possible)

Sitzprobe rehearsal – first cast rehearsal with band (??) 

Technical Rehearsals, Saturday and Sunday 10am-10pm, weekend before opening Feb 13 & 14, 2021

Piano Rehearsal – Monday Feb 15, for Costume and Makeup

Dress Rehearsal – Tuesday Feb 16 

Reduced Show Run – Wednesday – Sunday Feb 17 – 21 

 

Available Roles

(from MTI website. Middle C = C4 here)

*Genders listed below are from MTI, SSU’s production is flexible regarding genders.

Wendla

Innocent. With every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her and her changing body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution. Explores her newly-found sexuality with Melchior.

Gender: Female

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Melchior

A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society's rules. An atheist and radical student. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: B4

Vocal range bottom: G2

Martha

A schoolgirl who faces constant physical abuse from her father. She harbors a secret crush towards Moritz.

Gender: Female

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Moritz

Melchior's best friend, a troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. His haunting sexual dreams and academic failures eventually drive him to suicidal thoughts.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: C3

Thea

Wendla's best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure.

Gender: Female

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Hanschen

A rather narcissistic schoolmate of Melchior's. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst. Optional Doubling as RUPERT.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Anna

A German schoolgirl and Martha's best friend. Optimistic and a bit naive, she has a difficult time understanding Martha's trials.

Gender: Female

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Ernst

A schoolmate of Melchior's. Naive and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen. Optional Doubling as REINHOLD.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Ilse

Martha's sister, who was also abused and has run away from home to live in an artists' colony. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life.

Gender: Female

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Georg

A clumsy schoolmate of Melchoir's. He is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. Optional Doubling as DIETER.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Otto

A classmate of Melchior's. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate. Optional Doubling as ULBRECHT.

Gender: Male

Age: 15 to 20

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Adult Woman

Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: FRAU BERGMAN, Wendla's mother; FRAULEIN KNUPPELDICK; FRAULEIN GROSSEBUSTENHALTER; FRAU GABOR, Melchior's mother; and FRAU BESSELL, Martha's mother.

Gender: Female

Age: 40 to 50

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: D3

Adult Man

Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: HERR SONNENSTITCH, the boys' teacher; HEADMASTER KNOCHENBRUCH; HERR NEUMANN, Ilse's father; HERR RILOW, Hanschen's father; HERR STEIFEL, Moritz's father; FATHER KAULBACH; DOCTOR VON BRAUSEPULVER; HERR GABOR, Melchior's father; and SCHMIDT.

Gender: Male

Age: 40 to 50

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: D3

 

COURSE CREDIT/UNITS

All SSU cast members must register for these courses - you will not be automatically enrolled.

The Cast list will be sent to the Music Dept and the Theatre Arts & Dance office. A permission number for the correct course (MUSIC 330, or THAR 330 and ) will be provided to all cast members.

Since Spring Awakening rehearses in Fall 2020 but performs in the spring of 2021, cast members should register for 1-3 units in both semesters. MUSIC majors/minors and non-THAR majors/minors register for MUSIC 330 (Musical Theater Production) in the fall and spring.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please note that you must be available for all rehearsal call times; the Time Conflict form will resolve technical  time conflicts as they appear for these courses within the system.

In order to achieve more accurate enrollment for the work student and faculty are providing shows, ALL students who are cast in any of the season’s shows MUST enroll in the appropriate MUSIC course (listed above) for 1-3units in Fall 2020.

•         If fulfilling this requirement means you will go over the 18-unit enrollment limit, you must AT THE TIME OF AUDITION fill out a Petition form to go over the 18-unit limit. We generally expect that all Petitions will be approved.

•         If fulfilling this requirement means you will have an official time conflict with another course in which you are enrolled, you must AT THE TIME OF AUDITION fill out a Time Conflict form.  Please note that in actuality you must be available for all rehearsal call times; the Time Conflict form is simply to resolve time conflicts as they appear for these courses within the system.

Stage management will provide you with copies of these forms to fill out AT THE TIME OF AUDITION. You will turn them in to stage management, who then deliver to the Chair’s office. The Chair’s office will submit the forms of students who are cast, and will recycle the others.

 

*If you have questions, please contact Brooke Tester 707-664-2324, brooke.tester@sonoma.edu

Audition Dates

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, auditions will be submitted online through the Audition Questionnaire.

Auditions will be accepted:

August 19, August 20 and August 21, 2020

Preparation

Audition Format

At least one song and monologue should be recorded in full-body, so we can see you speak, move and breathe from head to toe. 

1- Submit a video recording of you singing 2 (two) contrasting, memorized songs.  You are encouraged to find 1-2 minute highlight excerpts of the songs. Full songs will be accepted. Songs should be accompanied by a piano or track. 

Please introduce each song before singing it. 

2- Submit a video recording of two contrasting, memorized 1-2 minute monologues. 

and

3- Create and record a 30-90 sec movement piece either in open space or using a simple chair. You may use your choice of music, sing and move, or move in silence. 

 

Don't worry too much about video quality as long as you can be seen and heard.

Do be prepared to recreate your pieces in real time either in person or through video conference.

Faculty Contact

Lynne
Morrow
lynne.morrow@sonoma.edu