We sat down with Maura Goetzke, who plays the Louisa in SBMT’s production of The Sound of Music. In this interview, she radiates excitement as she describes all the fun she’s having. She tells us why she auditioned, what she’s learning in rehearsal from choreographer Francesca Cipponeri and vocal director Rachel Michelberg, what it’s like being part of a double cast of children, how she got started in theatre—and what she aspires to, and offers advice for anyone else who shares the dream of being a performer.

Watch the five minute video, or read the transcript below.

 Hi, my name is Maura Goetzke and I play Louisa von Trapp. Something different about Louisa is that she’s very mischievous. Not like the other ones. She’s very mischievous around the governness, but she will never play any tricks around her father. She loves the Captain. She’s kind of in the background. She has some lines, but you really have to notice her. And once you notice her, it’s hard to forget she’s there.

Why did you want to play this role?

I’ve been growing up listening to Sound of Music, and when I heard that there was an open casting call, I just was like, “I really have to audition for this show.” And I knew there was going to be a lot of talent because your guys’ shows are amazing. But I was so excited to be able to be a part of it.

What has this experience been like?

From the start until now, I’ve really noticed how much our cast has grown and bonded. We’ve always been really together, but the more we’re together, the more we really kind of just become a family. Like, I love everyone here. Everyone’s so talented and it’s just been one of the best shows I’ve ever done.

What’s it like being part of a double cast?

Being a part of a double cast, it’s hard because you can’t always practice and so you always have to take note of what your other person is doing. But I really like it because I get to create a really strong bond with Maddie, the other Louisa, and she’s so amazing and I just love all of her choices. So, I get to take some of those choices as well.

Did you get any ideas from the movie?

From watching the movie, I definitely have learned about my character. But I’ve watched a lot of, like,  slime tutorials or shows that are Sound of Music online because she has more lines in the musical than in the movie. So, I like to kind of go from everywhere and just kind of put it all together and then the script as well and take my own spin on things. But yes, I do really like the movie and I have learned a lot from it.

What is your favorite part of the show?

My favorite part of the show is “Do Re Mi” because that’s when the kids really just get to love music. They’ve never done it before. They’re always just, like, strict strict strict. But then Maria comes and they’re like, “Oh my gosh, I don’t know how to sing. I love singing.” And they just finally get to blossom and become people they never thought they would be able to become

Is it hard to learn all the choreography?

With the choreography. I struggled a lot at first, but Franni (Francesca Cipponeri, the show’s Choreographer) is so nice and she just helps us all and we all struggle, but I as I went on I learned more, and just with Franny’s help it’s gotten better and better, and it’s so good now.

Has the show helped with your vocals?

Yes, Miss Rachel (Rachel Michelberg, Vocal Director), she’s so amazing. I just like love how she teaches us and she gives good feedback, but she’s not, like, really mean. She gets us to sound so good and pick up things that I would never hear, and it just sounds so much better with her here.

How did you get started in theatre?

I started in fifth grade and I’ve been doing shows at my school and at my local theater  since fifth grade and I’ve played two lead roles at my school now: Willy Wonka and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and I just love doing it. I keep auditioning and just wait until I get the “Yes.”

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I don’t really know what I want to do yet, but I think it would be so cool to like be on Broadway or be in a movie. I totally aspire to do that. I just know it’s super hard and you have to really work for it, but I’m I definitely want to try.

Do you have any fans who are coming to see you in this show?

My grandma is coming to see me all the way from Florida. She is my biggest fan. She comes out to pretty much every show I’ve been in since fifth grade, The Little Mermaid, when I was like a fish. She is going to stay for two weeks. And then my little sister Clara, she’s doing Annie at Palo Alto Players. She’s coming back for that show for another two weeks. So, she’ll be here for almost a month. I’m so excited.

What advice would you give to others who want to get on stage?

What advice would I give? Never give up. Even if you get that “No,” just keep trying. Eventually, somebody will tell you “Yes.” And when you do, it’s going to feel so good. So, never give up. Never stop trying. And you’ll make it. Just have confidence.

Why should I come to see this show?

Why should you come and see this show? Well, the amount of talent here is incredible. Like, I have never been in a musical this amazing, and I think you should come because you will not regret it, and your ears will just be like, “I’m so glad I paid for that ticket.”

Any final thoughts?

Come see The Sound of Music at South Bay Musical Theater, Saratoga Civic Theater. You can buy tickets on southbaymt.com.

(Logo and bloopers)