Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director of South Bay Musical Theatre announces auditions for The Sound of Music

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.

  • Director: Walter M. Mayes
  • Choreographer: Francesca Cipponeri
  • Vocal Director: Rachel Michelberg
  • Music Director: George Yefchak

Initial auditions will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 from noon – 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 from noon – 5 p.m.

Audition sign-ups will begin on Saturday, April 5. Please schedule a vocal audition slot at: https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_soundofmusic_001

AUDITION INFORMATION

Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show with sheet music in the correct key. No recordings, please. An accompanist will be provided. Bring a headshot, resume, conflict calendar through October 18, and clothes and shoes comfortable to move in. Auditioners must attend a dance call but may choose to do so before or after their vocal audition time if available. You do not need to sign up for a dance call—please come to the one most convenient for you.

Dance call times are:

For Saturday, May 3

  • dance 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
  • dance 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

For Sunday, May 4

  • dance 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
  • dance 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

The rehearsal calendar is compact and fast-paced. Therefore, conflict calendars will be an important consideration when making casting decisions. Please give us complete conflict information. If you are already obligated to another show that will cause conflicts with our rehearsal schedule, or if you are auditioning for multiple shows that perform in the same timeframe as ours, please let us know. Only minor conflicts will be accepted. 

Auditions will be held at the SBMT Rehearsal Studio, 761 Mabury Rd, Suite 20, in San Jose.

Callbacks:

Callbacks, by invitation only, take place Saturday, May 10 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the same location as auditions.

SUMMARY

In Austria, in 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power.

This final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

SBMT Casting Commitment

South Bay Musical Theatre is actively reshaping our company to be reflective of the community it serves. We practice non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We are seeking and highly encouraging all actors to submit, regardless of race/ethnicity/caste, disability, body type, age, orientation, or gender/gender identity.

In this show, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. We are determined to consider diversity and inclusion in our casting choices. We will be double-casting the children’s roles.

Though we’re contractually unable to change the script or the music, we are open to considering actors of any gender identity for roles of specific gender identities. The actor would need to demonstrate the capability to portray the specified character as written as well as sing the required range. If you wish to be considered for specific roles, please note them on your audition form.

All cast members are volunteers with a performance per-diem of $250 in total.

All roles are open.

ROLES

Maria Rainer (Lead): Female, Adult – Soprano

A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – Maria is a headstrong, free-spirited young woman. She is spunky, opinionated, warm, resourceful, youthful, gentle, and kind with much determination.

  • Age to be played as: 20-30
  • Vocal range: B5 to C4
  • Dancing: Good dancing skills

Captain Georg von Trapp (Lead): Male, Adult – Bass/Baritone

A retired Austrian naval captain. He is a widower. He’s polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life; underneath, he is warm, understanding and determined. Regimented, dignified, commanding, manly, polished, noble, intelligent.

  • Age to be played as: 35-40+
  • Vocal range: D5 to F#2/Gb2
  • Dancing: Good dancing skills

Max Detweiler (Lead): Male, Adult – Baritone

A theatrical agent and First Secretary of Education and Culture – a personal friend of Von Trapp and a sort of uncle to his children. He is clever at his job, charming, witty, and quite pushy to get what he wants. He has a humorous personality. He enjoys the good life and those that live the good life.

  • Age to be played as: 40-50
  • Vocal range: F4 to D3
  • Dancing: Good mover

Baroness Elsa Schraeder (Lead): Female, Adult – Mezzo Soprano

A very wealthy widow, who is president of her late husband’s corporation. Elegant, sophisticated city person. Clever and canny, she has begun a flirtation with Captain Von Trapp. She is very much into making a good social arrangement.

  • Age to be played as: 30-45
  • Vocal range: F5 to D4
  • Dancing: Good mover

The Mother Abbess (Lead): Female, Mature Adult – Soprano

The Mother Abbess is an inspirational leader for all the nuns at the Abbey. She is a big-hearted mother figure loved, adored, and respected. She has a bit of hidden spunk.

  • Age to be played as: 40+
  • Vocal range: G#5/Ab 5 to B3
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Liesl Von Trapp (Lead): Female, Late Teen – Mezzo Soprano

At age 16, Liesl is the eldest of the Von Trapp siblings. She is innocent, naïve, coy, flirtatious, headstrong, and infatuated with Rolf. She is pretty but unsophisticated and tends to think everything is wonderful. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply and lovingly for her younger siblings.

  • Age to be played as: 16
  • Vocal range: E5 to B3
  • Dancing: Good dancing skills

Friedrich Von Trapp (Supporting): Male, Early Teen – Tenor

Frederich is 14 and is proud to be a boy. He has a tough exterior and is very much trying to be “the man” of the family; desperately needs his father.

  • Age to be played as: 14
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Louisa Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Early Teen – Mezzo Soprano

Louisa is 13, clever, and full of mischief. She is the master of pranks and enjoys pulling them on others. She is quite a tomboy, has a rebellious attitude, and misses her mother a great deal.

  • Age to be played as: 13
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Kurt Von Trapp (Supporting): Male, Child – Countertenor/falsetto

Kurt is 10. He wants to be 11 and introduces himself as “11-almost”. He is the second boy and the middle of the children. He often tries to act manly and is outspoken against the previous governesses. He is gentle and a peacemaker.

  • Age to be played as: 10
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Brigitta Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano

Brigitta is 9. She is smart as a whip, very perceptive and always tells the truth whether you like it or not. She’s an avid reader and suspicious of “Uncle Max”.

  • Age to be played as: 9
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Marta Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano

Marta is 7. She is one of the quietest Von Trapps. She loves the color pink, and is very inquisitive, smart, and gentle.

  • Age to be played as: 7
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Gretl Von Trapp (Supporting): Female, Child – Mezzo Soprano

Gretl is 5. She is the youngest Von Trapp. She is very quiet when first introduced by her father. She is sweet, loving and wants attention. She must have a cute, adorable, and endearing quality.

  • Age to be played as: 5
  • Vocal range: G5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Rolf Gruber (Supporting): Male, Late Teen – Baritone/Tenor

Rolf is 17 and is the telegram delivery boy friend of Liesl. He is self-important, boasting, a very pleasant young man, and somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way. Rolf has Hitler as his paternal role model and the Nazi regime as a future goal. He seems to know an enormous amount of what is going on because of his job and seems to relish his spying tactics.

  • Age to be played as: 17
  • Vocal range: E5 to C4
  • Dancing: Good dancing skills

Sister Berthe (Supporting): Female, Adult/Mature – Mezzo Soprano

A nun who is the Mistress of Novices. She does not think that headstrong, free-spirited postulants belong at the Abby. She is a no-nonsense type, officious, and very strict. She is not a supporter of Maria. She is a killjoy, self-righteous, straight-laced, prim, and a bit of a prude.

  • Age to be played as: 30+
  • Vocal range: E5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Sister Margaretta (Supporting): Female, Young Adult/Adult – Mezzo Soprano

A nun who is the Mistress of Postulants. She is kind and understanding. A supporter of Maria. She is positive, encouraging, concerned, and has a sense of humor.

  • Age to be played as: 20+
  • Vocal range: E5 to B3
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Sister Sophia (Featured): Female, Adult – Mezzo Soprano

Sister Sophia is a nun who always stays in line. She is very dutiful and kind. She would rather take the middle road to avoid controversy.

  • Age to be played: 30+
  • Vocal range: E5 to B3
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Franz (Featured): Male, Adult/Mature Adult – Non-singing

Originally a sort of protector to Captain Von Trapp in the Navy, he is now retired into his position as valet, which he carries out with somber efficiency. He is humorless and appears harmless but underneath we discover he is secretly plotting with the Nazi party Anschluss.

  • Age to be played: 30+
  • Dancing: Non dancer

Frau Schmidt (Featured): Female, Mature Adult – Non-singing

The Von Trapp family housekeeper, Frau Schmidt does her job efficiently but without affection. She is strong and somewhat dominating. She has been around a long time and hates the way she is treated with whistles by the Baron. It affects her dignity. She appears to be a thoroughly reliable member of the staff and respected by all.

  • Age to be played: 40+
  • Dancing: Non dancer

Herr Zeller (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing

A sort of district governor appointed by the Nazi Regime to prepare the Anschluss. He is overbearing, arrogant, autocratic, self-important, and pompous. Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.

  • Age to be played: 40
  • Dancing: Non dancer

Baron Elberfeld (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing

A neighbor of the Von Trapps and one of the “Old Guards” of Austria – violently opposed to the takeover of his beloved country by Nazi Germany. Can double with other roles in the ensemble. The baron attends the ball thrown by Captain Von Trapp in Elsa’s honor.

  • Age to be played: 30+
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Baroness Elberfeld (Featured): Female, Adult – Non-singing

A neighbor of Captain Von Trapp and wife to the Baron Elberfeld.

  • Age to be played: 30+
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Admiral Von Schreiber (Featured): Male, Adult – Non-singing

An important figure in the Austrian Navy and appears to be much respected by Captain Von Trapp. He has obviously agreed to be part of the new regime with Germany. He arrives to collect Captain Von Trapp and bring him to Berlin.

  • Age to be played: 30+
  • Dancing: Non dancer

Saengerbund of Herwegen Trio (Featured): Male and Female – Non-singing

Three-person performance group who wins 3rd place in the Festival Concert. Can come from the Ensemble.

  • Age to be played: 18+
  • Voice: Non-speaking
  • Dancing: Non-dancer
  • Acting: Playful, energetic, happy

Fraulein Schweiger (Featured): Female, Adult/Young Adult – Non-singing

Female performer who wins 2nd place in the Festival Concert. Can come from the Ensemble.

  • Age to be played: 18+
  • Voice: Non-speaking
  • Dancing: Non-dancer
  • Acting: Overly appreciative

Nuns Ensemble (Featured): Female, Adult, Young Adult– Mezzo Soprano

Nuns, novices, and postulants who live in the Nonnberg Abbey.

  • Age to be played: 18+
  • Vocal range: E5 to C4
  • Dancing: Must be able to move

Ensemble (Featured): Male and Female, Young Adult and Adults 

Men and Women with strong dance and acting abilities to perform onstage the roles of Nazi soldiers, dancing neighbors, and friends who come to Captain Von Trapp’s party, Salzburg citizens who attend the wedding of Maria and Georg.

  • Age to be played: 18+
  • Vocals: all types
  • Speaking: There will be speaking throughout various scenes with Nazis, party guests, etc.
  • Dancing: Strong dancers
  • Acting: Strong actors

KEY DATES

  • Rehearsals begin Sunday, July 6, 2025
  • Move-in Saturday, September 8, 2025
  • Open September 27, 2025
  • Close & Strike October 18, 2025