Getting to Know… Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School Spring 2019

AUDITION INFO

We are thrilled that you would like to participate in OLM’s second annual musical, The Sound of Music!

The Sound of Music is the true story of an Austrian Naval Captain, his seven children, and the woman who brought music, love and joy back into their hearts and home.

The musical is a very special experience for the kids and for our community. Last year 130 OLM students in the cast and crew amazed us with their dedication and talent!

All boys and girls who audition for the production will be cast in the show. Whether you would like to sing a solo, dance, say a few lines, or just be a part of the show, there is a role for everyone!

Auditions will be held during school on Thursday, December 13. Your audition can be up to five minutes long.

Trying out for the show should not be scary. Have fun! We are rooting for you, love you, and are your biggest cheerleaders!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS:

- To familiarize yourself with songs from the show, please listen to the soundtrack which has been uploaded to the OLM website. While very similar, this show is not exactly the same as the movie. Our show has been adapted for younger performers and, as a result, some keys have been changed/lowered and several songs have been shortened for younger singers. Therefore please make sure you familiarize yourself with the music on the website. - Watch The Sound of Music (movie) starring and Christopher Plummer, as well as the NBC live version for television starring Carrie Underwood (not the best vocal choice for Maria, but we love her anyway!). Again, most of our show is the same, but there are some differences (for instance, there is no “Baroness” in our version). - To help you decide which part(s) you would like to audition for, please refer to the character descriptions below as you listen to the songs and watch the movie. If you don’t know which role you would like to be considered for, don’t worry – we will cast you where we think you will shine the most! - Complete (or have a parent complete) the audition form and bring it to your audition.

GRADES 1-3

- Children in grades 1-3 will audition together in groups of five students. - You can sing 30 seconds of anything you would like…it could be a song from the show or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday” or anything you feel you do well! - If you would like to audition for Gretl or Marta, please sing “Do-Re-Mi.” Ms. Jen also may ask you to sing another one of the Von Trapp children’s songs, so please be familiar with those listed in the character descriptions.

GRADES 4-8

- Students in grades 4-8 will have a one-on-one audition with Ms. Jen, unless you are interested in an ensemble role only, in which case you may audition with another person or two or three! - You may sing 30 seconds of any of the following songs… • Do-Re-Mi • The Sound of Music • My Favorite Things • Edelweiss - If there is a particular role you would like to audition for, please sing an excerpt from one of that character’s songs, even if it is not mentioned above. - If you are interested in a principal role, Ms. Jen may ask you to sing another short passage from a song that she chooses, so please be familiar with all of the songs uploaded to the OLM website. - You also may be asked to do a “cold read.” What’s that? Ms. Jen will give you a scene where you will play a character from the show by reading his or her lines. It’s fun!

The dance portion of the audition will take place during the first weeks of rehearsal.

If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected].

Thanks so much! Ms. Jen and the entire Production Staff

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

MARIA RAINER Maria is a postulant (young candidate for the sisterhood) at Nonnberg Abbey. She is young, free-spirited, warm, gentle, kind, and very determined. She should be an excellent singer, a very strong actress, and move with confidence. We are looking for a naturally upbeat and confident young woman who has a spring in her step and many songs in her heart. J Songs: The Sound of Music My Favorite Things Do-Re-Mi The Lonely Goatherd My Favorite Things (Reprise) Do-Re-Mi (for concert) Edelweiss

THE MOTHER ABBESS Mother Abbess is the head of the Abbey and is in charge of the day-to-day activities and livelihood of the nuns who live there. While she can be strict, she is also loving and understanding, and gives motherly guidance to those who need it. We are looking for someone with a mature presence and singing voice. Being comfortable with high notes is a plus. Songs: Preludium Maria My Favorite Things Climb Ev’ry Mountain Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)

SISTER BERTHE Sister Berthe, Mistress of Novices, is the sternest of the nuns. She is conservative, straight-laced with a quick tongue, and less tolerant than other nuns. She should have a strong solo singing voice. Songs: Preludium Maria Climb Ev’ry Mountain Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)

SISTER MARGARETTA Sister Margaretta, Mistress of Postulants, is the most lenient. She is very kind, understanding and concerned. She is the warm and “fun nun.” She should have a strong solo singing voice. Songs: Preludium Maria Climb Ev’ry Mountain Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)

SISTER SOPHIA Sister Sophia the last to make up her mind. Neither demanding nor critical, she sticks with the rules and has a gentleness about her. She should have a strong solo singing voice. Songs: Preludium Maria Climb Ev’ry Mountain Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)

CAPTAIN A retired Austrian naval captain, Georg is polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life, home, and family in order to repress his sadness over the death of his wife. Underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined. The Captain should sing well and be a very solid actor. Songs: The Sound of Music (Reprise) Do-Re-Mi (for concert) Edelweiss

FRANZ Franz is the butler in the von Trapp villa. He is rather formal but spirited. He is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause. This is a non-singing role.

FRAU SCHMIDT Frau Schmidt is the efficient housekeeper in the von Trapp villa. She is stern and no-nonsense, but sympathetic to the motherless children. This is a non-singing role.

THE VON TRAPP CHILDREN. These seven children must be “triple threats” – singers, dancers, and actors. (Ages listed are the age of the children in the show – does not have to be the actor’s age.) Songs: Do-Re-Mi The Lonely Goatherd The Sound of Music (Reprise) So Long, Farewell My Favorite Things (Reprise) Do-Re-Mi (for concert) Edelweiss

Liesl von Trapp (female, age 16) The oldest child, Leisl is becoming a young lady with an interest in boys, especially Rolf, the delivery boy. She has a maternal attitude to her siblings. Must sing and move well. Additional song: Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Friedrich von Trapp (male, age 14) Friedrich is the oldest boy. He has a tough exterior and is trying to be “the man” of the family.

Louisa von Trapp (female, age 13) Louisa has a rebellious attitude and is a bit of a troublemaker, but she means well!

Kurt von Trapp (male, age 10) Kurt is gentle and mischievous. He must have a falsetto (high) voice to hit the high note in “So Long, Farewell.”

Brigitta von Trapp (female, age 9) Brigitta is very smart and reads a lot. She is quite perceptive (she is the first to figure out the Captain and Maria are in love with each other), and she speaks her mind.

Marta von Trapp (female, age 7) Marta is adorable and very sweet and gentle.

Gretl von Trapp (female, age 6) The youngest von Trapp, Gretl must have the cute factor!

ROLF GRUBER Rolf is a 17-year old telegram delivery boy who is courting Liesl. He and Liesl should perform well together, with voices that blend. A very pleasant young man, Rolf is later more aggressive as he becomes a Nazi soldier. He should be a great singer, actor and dancer. Song: Sixteen Going on Seventeen

MAX DETWEILER Max is the charming, funny, and loyal friend to the Von . He is a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life. He must command the stage and have solid comedic skills. This is a non-singing role.

HERR ZELLER Herr (Herr means “Mister”) Zeller is an officious, unsmiling Nazi official whose primary concern is the power of the Third Reich. We are looking for a male actor with a strong speaking voice who can speak with an accent. This is a non-singing role.

BARON ELBERFELD Baron Elberfeld is a Nazi sympathizer. We are looking for a male actor with an imposing presence and a strong speaking voice. This is a non-singing role.

ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER Admiral von Schreiber is an admiral in the Nazi Navy. We are looking for a male actor who has a strong, commanding speaking voice. This is a non-singing role.

THE LONELY GOATHERD FEATURED ROLES Song: The Lonely Goatherd Lonely Goatherd We are looking for a younger male with strong stage presence and singing voice to play this lovable but lonely goatherd. Goat We are looking for a younger child with serious cute factor and great stage presence, who is not afraid to ham it up! Boy or girl. Girl in the Pale Pink Coat We are looking for a young girl with a great voice and bright smile. Mama We are looking for a female who could reasonably be the mother of the Girl in the Pale Pink Coat.

CONTESTANTS AT THE FESTIVAL CONCERT The Trio Of The Saengerbund Of Herwegen Three character actors who are not afraid to act over the top! Boys, girls, or a mix. Non-singing roles. Fräulein Schweiger This woman accepts her second place award with a great deal of comedic enthusiasm. Non-singing role.

NUNS The nuns will be played by young women who are excellent singers. Led by The Mother Abbess, and Sisters Berthe, Margaretta and Sophia, select nuns who can sing a cappella (with no accompaniment) will sing the Preludium. All nuns will sing everything else. Songs: Preludium Maria Climb Ev’ry Mountain Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)

ENSEMBLE: The ensemble will play various roles in the Austrian mountains, as folks in the town of the Lonely Goatherd, Von Trapp party guests, and German officials. Songs: The Sound of Music The Lonely Goatherd So Long, Farewell Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Finale)