Auditions for Sound of Music

The Grand is an iconic Art Deco theater in Downeast, Maine that fosters social interaction and growth in artists and audiences through the arts, entertainment, and education.

Audition: The Sound of Music Saturday, January 26 - 10am to 12pm. Sunday, January 27 - 6pm to 8pm. Performances are April 3 - 19. The Grand begins its community-driven, 2020-2021 season with open auditions for The Sound of Music. We are looking for a diverse cast of actors and singers of varying ages and abilities for this musical theater classic. Rehearsals will begin in early February, with performances running April 3 – 19, 2020. The Sound of Music will be directed by Leslie Michaud, with musical direction by Rebecca Edmondson and choreography by Ashley Terwilliger. For auditions, prepare 16-32 bars of a classic musical theater song. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist, with the part you are singing clearly marked. A capella singing or karaoke tracks are discouraged. Be prepared to list any rehearsal and/or performance date conflicts. You may be asked to sing or read from the script. All youth actors ages 5-15 are strongly encouraged to attend a Sound of Music audition workshop on January 18 from 3-4 PM at the Grand. The workshop will be conducted by Executive Director, Nick Turner, as well as other members of the artistic staff. Participants will be will given audition tips and instructions for the upcoming Sound of Music auditions. This workshop is free.  WHAT: Auditions for The Sound of Music WHERE: The Grand Auditorium. 165 Main Street. Ellsworth, ME. WHEN: Saturday, January 25 – 10:00am-1:00pm  Sunday, January 26 – 6:00pm-8:00pm  Character Breakdown LEAD ADULT ROLES: Maria Rainer (20-35)  A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, free-spirited, with much determination. Captain Georg von Trapp (35-55)  A retired Austrian naval captain. Military in the way he runs his life; underneath, he is warm. Max Detweiller (30+)  Charming and vital; enjoys the good life; loyal friend of the von Trapp family. Elsa Schrader (30-45)  A baroness, sophisticated, dignified and mature. Mother Abbess (40+) Legit Soprano, motherly and strong. FEATURED ADULT ROLES: Sister Berthe  Mistress of Novices, straight-laced, she is less tolerant than other nuns. Sister Margaretta  Mistress of Postulants, kind and understanding. Sister Sophia Sticks with the rules. Franz (30+)  The von Trapp butler, very German and loyal to the Fascist cause. Frau Schmidt (30+)  The von Trapp housekeeper, stoic. Strong and somewhat dominating. Herr Zeller (40+)  Nazi official Rolf Gruber (16-19) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier.  LEAD CHILDREN’S ROLES: Liesl von Trapp (16)  The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady. Maternal. Friedrich von Trapp (age 14) Tough exterior, trying to be “the man” of the family. Louisa von Trapp (age 13) Rebellious. Kurt von Trapp (age 10, falsetto or unchanged voice)  Gentle and mischievous. Brigitta von Trapp (age 9) Smart, reads a lot. Marta von Trapp (age 7)  Sweet and gentle. Gretl von Trapp (age 6) Youngest von Trapp. ADULT ENSEMBLE: Nuns, Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens, Georg’s friends and contestants in the Festival Concert. CHILDRENS DANCE ENSEMBLE: A small group of children (ages 5-14) for The Lonely Goatherd and the Festival Concert.