FCS Open Call Auditions for THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Fairfield Center Stage (Christy McIntosh-Newsom, Artistic Director; Eli Newsom, Executive Producer) is holding OPEN AUDITIONS for its upcoming outdoor production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC on Monday, May 3rd from 5-8:30pm, as well as via video submission. Seeking actors and singers of all ages, types, ethnicities, etc. FCS is a community theater group, and all roles are open. Non-Equity, no pay.
The staff for THE SOUND OF MUSIC includes Director: Christy McIntosh-Newsom, Choreographer: Lindsay Johnson, and Music Director: Clay Zambo. THE SOUND OF MUSIC will run for 3 performances over one weekend: June 25 @ 7:30pm, June 26 @ 2pm, & June 26th 7:30pm. A weather makeup date is being held June 27 @ 2pm. The production will run at Fairfield Museum Commons (the big lawn behind the Fairfield Museum on the Town Hall campus). Rehearsals are generally Mon-Thurs evenings and one weekend date (either afternoon or early evening, per most efficient scheduling). Required sitzprobe rehearsal (sing through with the orchestra) will occur on Sat June 20 @ noon. All tech rehearsals are required, Mon-Thurs June 21-24. Actors will not be needed every day until we get closer to opening. Some rehearsals may occur virtually. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday May 16 @ 4pm. Whenever possible, rehearsals will occur outdoors, downtown Fairfield location tbd. A limited number of rehearsals may occur indoors, and safety precautions will be taken seriously (small groups, social distancing, masks, temperature checks, etc)
A Note For Younger Actors:
We will be double casting the roles of the Von Trapp children and each cast will get two performances (Thurs preview/Fri night, Sat matinee/Sat night, or other combination, performance schedule will be the decision of the production team). We may also include performers under 16 in the ensemble and as off stage swings (understudies) to cover in the case of illness or quarantine.
When:
In person auditions will occur on Monday, May 3rd from 5-7pm for younger actors (ages 15 and under); and 7-8:30pm for adult actors (ages 16+). Appointments are mandatory for in-person auditions, so that we are able to maintain social distancing. See below for the audition signup link.
For these auditions: please no walk-ins. If you are unable to attend auditions on this day, or unable to secure an appointment, you may submit a video. In person auditions will take place outdoors. Temperatures will be screened upon arrival. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, please cancel your audition appointment and submit an audition video.
Video submissions must be submitted by 9pm on Monday, May 3rd via a private or unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link. See below for submission instructions.
Callbacks for THE SOUND OF MUSIC will take place on Wednesday May 5th in the evening (time tba). Note that not all roles require a callback. Callbacks will occur in person and outdoors. Masks are mandatory. You may wear a clear mask (fitted around your mouth- NOT a face shield) if you have one. If you are unable to attend in-person auditions due to illness or quarantine, you may submit your callback virtually.
Where:
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 661 Old Post Rd. Fairfield. Free parking in the town hall lot.
What to prepare:
All actors should bring a current headshot (or recent photo) and 1 page acting resume or list of theater/performing experience.
IN-PERSON AUDITION GUIDELINES: Please prepare a brief song (under one minute) in the style of the show (traditional musical theater; singing from the show is ok). Pop songs and contemporary (shows less than 20 years old) are NOT recommended. Seeking legit singers for this production (as opposed to pop/jazz stylings). Please bring sheet music in the correct key. A capella singing is discouraged.
Appointments: Appointments are mandatory to be seen in-person. RESERVE AN AUDITION TIME SLOT here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4EAAAC2EA0FC1-fairfield4
Please make a note of your appointment time and date as you may not receive a reminder. Audition slots are limited, first-come, first-served. Actors without appointments may submit their auditions virtually via a private or unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link.
VIDEO AUDITION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: If you are submitting your audition virtually, please submit (1) a video of you singing (guidelines follow) and (2) the audition form (link below). Video: sing an approximate one-minute section of a song in the style of the show (traditional musical theater; singing from the show is ok). Please use an accompaniment track (i.e. karaoke track, piano track, other instrumental track, guitar, etc). Some backing tracks can be found on YouTube. Please no a capella singing, as the production team needs to hear singing with accompaniment. Pop songs and contemporary songs (from shows less than 20 years old) are NOT recommended. Seeking legit singers for this production (as opposed to pop/jazz stylings).
AUDITION FORM FOR VIRTUAL SUBMISSIONS: CLICK HERE
For virtual auditions, please film in landscape mode in a well-lit room. We want to see you! Start by telling us your name, age (if under 16), and a 1-2 sentence intro about yourself.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO:
Email your audition via a private or unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link to
christy@fairfieldcenterstage.org with the subject line SOUND OF MUSIC AUDITION. Please no email attachments- send a link to a hosted, playable video. Videos that do not meet these requirements will not be considered. If we need to see you at callbacks, you will be notified by Tuesday, May 4th at 9pm.
Questions?
christy@fairfieldcenterstage.org
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Fairfield Center Stage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more info about FCS visit
www.FairfieldCenterStage.org
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN for THE SOUND OF MUSIC
All roles open; non-equity, no pay.
Maria Rainer (musical theatre mix/soprano, 20-30) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination. Guitar playing a plus. Any ethnicity.
Captain Georg von Trapp (baritone, 35-45) A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very militant in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife. Underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined. Any ethnicity.
Max Detweiller (tenor/baritone, 30+) Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family. Any ethnicity.
Elsa Schrader (mezzo soprano, 30-45) A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature. Any ethnicity.
Mother Abbess (legit soprano, wide vocal range, 40+, very strong actress) Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind. Any ethnicity.
FEATURED CHARACTERS:
Sister Berthe (alto) Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns. Any ethnicity.
Sister Margaretta (mezzo) Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding and concerned. Any ethnicity.
Sister Sophia (soprano) Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules. Any ethnicity.
Franz (non-singing, 30+) 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, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating. Any ethnicity.
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, dance, 17) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
LEAD CHILDREN'S ROLES:
All children's roles will be double cast. Seeking excellent singers who can move/dance with lots of personality and able to remain still and focused when in line. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition. We are not seeking a family of look-alikes, but rather are seeking the best performers for the roles.
Liesl von Trapp (mezzo, dance, to play 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 her younger siblings.
Friedrich von Trapp (to play age 14) Tough exterior, very much trying to be the man of the family.
Louisa von Trapp (to play age 13) Rebellious attitude.
Kurt von Trapp (to play age 10, falsetto) Gentle and mischievous.
Brigitta von Trapp (to play age 9) Smart, reads a lot.
Marta von Trapp (to play age 7) Very sweet and gentle.
Gretl von Trapp (to play age 6) Must have the cute factor.
CHORUS:
5-10 male chorus members– Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens and Georg's friends (of naval background).
5-10 female chorus members – Salzburg citizens, new postulant, nuns, novices, postulants and contestants in the Festival Concert.
Videos
