Walter M. Mayes, Artistic Director of South Bay Musical Theatre, announces auditions for
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Music by Mary Rodgers. Lyrics by Marshall Barer. Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer.
- Director: Doug Brook
- Choreographer: Esther Selk
- Vocal Director: Kristin Pfeifer
- Music Director: Mark Wong Siang Kai
- Stage Manager: Quentin Tepliuk
Initial auditions will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 4 – 7 pm and Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 10 am – 2 pm
Please schedule a vocal audition slot at:
https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_onceuponamattress_002
AUDITION INFORMATION
Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show with sheet music in the correct key. No recordings or a capella, please. An accompanist will be provided. Bring a headshot, resume, conflict calendar through October 24 and clothes and shoes comfortable to move in. Auditioners will be asked to select and perform a brief cold reading from the script. Auditioners must attend a dance call but may choose to do so before or after their vocal audition time if available.
Auditions will be held at 761 Mabury Rd, Suite 20, in San Jose.
Callbacks, by invitation only: Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12.
The rehearsal calendar is compact and fast-paced. Therefore, conflict calendars will be a primary consideration for casting. Only minor conflict schedules will be considered, if any.
No conflicts during tech week accepted.
SUMMARY
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. No princess could pass the Queen’s impossible tests until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince, and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs by Mary Rodgers, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic – a rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea that provides side-splitting shenanigans.
We can’t change the script or the music but 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 well as sing the required range. If you wish to be considered for specific roles, please note them on your audition form.
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. All cast members are volunteers with a performance per diem of $250 in total.
ROLES
All roles are open:
Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, female, presents as 20s-30s, Mezzo-Soprano
Feisty, outspoken, independent, strong, optimistic, and free-thinking. She isn’t well trained in manners, and isn’t bothered by it. A visiting voice of sanity in a castle full of chaos.
Queen Aggravain, female, presents as 40s-50s, Alto
A loud, talkative woman who rules the country, the castle, and all points in between. An overprotective, stubborn, sly mother who dominates everyone and every room. She continually prevents her son from marrying because nobody’s good enough for her precious boy.
Prince Dauntless, male, presents as 20s-30s, Baritone
His kindness is surpassed only by his lack of smarts. An everyday type of prince who wants to marry but is prevented by his mother’s possessive protectiveness, to whom he cowers and obeys.
Lady Larken, female, presents as 20s-30s, Soprano
The Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting. She loves Sir Harry with all her heart. Easily heartbroken but also ready to learn to stand up for what she wants.
Sir Harry, male, presents as 20s-30s, Bari-tenor
The Queen’s Champion-in-Arms. Macho, egotistical, brave, romantic. He loves Lady Larken with all his heart, but is entirely capable of messing that up through misunderstandings.
King Sextimus the Silent, male, presents as 40s-50s, None
A kind, expressive, playful monarch who never utters an unkind – or kind – word because a witch cursed him with silence long ago. He is often found chasing girls through the castle corridors. A strong physical actor who can convey dialogue through gesture and physicality.
Minstrel, male or female, presents as 20s-50s, Tenor
The captivating narrator of the story from within the story itself. Smitten with Lady Larken, he tries to persuade her to flee with him to Normandy. He plots with the Jester to spoil the Queen’s plans.
Jester, male, presents as 20s-40s, Tenor
An energetic presence who is part Shakespearean jester, part Harlequin jester, and just short of offering an obscene gesture. Assists the King’s every endeavour, and plots with the Minstrel to spoil the Queen’s plans.
Wizard, male, presents as 40s or higher, Baritone
A proud, somewhat egotistical former performer who serves the Queen and creates the tests for all the Princesses.
Additional roles include Sir Studley, Sir Luce, Lady Mabelle, Ladies in Waiting, and Knights.
KEY DATES
- Rehearsals begin Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Move-in Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Open September 26, 2026 Save
- Close & Strike October 17, 2026, with a possible extension until Oct 24, 2026
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