OPEN AUDITIONS
Monday and Tuesday, February 5 & 6, 2024
Directed by BEN JONES
Musical Director by JILL STEWART
Buck Creek Playhouse will hold open auditions for INTO THE WOODS with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by James Lapine, on Monday and Tuesday, February 5 & 6, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Avenue.
Call backs possible February 10, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Director Ben Jones and Musical Director Jill Stewart are seeking a diverse cast of 11 female presenting roles and 6 male presenting roles. All roles are available.
Follow the Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
AUDITION PREPARATION
Bring resume and headshot, if available.
INTO THE WOODS is scheduled for eight performances over two weekends, June 14, 2024 – June 23, 2024.
Please bring a list of all conflicts from Saturday, April 13, 2024, through Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Rehearsals are tentatively set to begin April 13, 2024.
Please come prepared with 16 to 32 measures of a song with sheet music in the correct key.
You will be asked to sing your prepared song along with singing and reading from the score and script.
INTO THE WOODS is scheduled for eight performances over two weekends, June 14, 2024 – June 23, 2024.
Please bring a list of all conflicts from Saturday, April 13, 2024, through Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Rehearsals are tentatively set to begin April 13, 2024.
Please come prepared with 16 to 32 measures of a song with sheet music in the correct key.
You will be asked to sing your prepared song along with singing and reading from the score and script.
AVAILABLE ROLES
NARRATOR/MYSTERIOUS MAN
Stage age 30 to 60. Baritone (G2 - E4)
Following the path of teachers and parents' footsteps, the Narrator helps guide the story along. Should be likeable and engaging. Intellectual, pleasant. Good storyteller who relates directly to the audience. This is a double cast role as the Mysterious Man who is a wandering vagrant found in the woods. He is full of riddles and an important secret.
CINDERELLA
Stage age 18 to 30. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5)
Even though she lives with her wicked stepmother, and two cruel stepsisters, Cinderella is kind and good, and her only wish is to go the the Prince's festival (a.k.a. The Ball), but once she does go and the Prince pursues her, she is uncertain about how to proceed. Earnest, pretty, warm-hearted, kind, trying to find her place in the world.
JACK
Stage age 16 to 25. Tenor (B2-G4)
Foolhardy, sometimes dense, and desperate for a better life, Jack sells his beloved cow Milky White for magic beans which lead him up the beanstalk and on a journey of growing up and learning to accept the consequences. The feckless giant killer. Eager to please, genuine/sincere, impulsive, a little slow of learning and misled by his lack of self-knowledge. High overall singing range, requires lovely lyric tenor quality.
BAKER
Stage age 25 to 25. Baritone (Ab2 - G4)
The 'hero' of the story, although his actions are not always heroic. The Baker feels he must 'fix' his and his wife's inability to have children and initally tries to pursue his quest without her, but he soon realizes he is much better off with her by his side. Average 'every man', warm hearted, determined but insecure, has never faced his fears.
BAKERS WIFE
Stage age 25 to 25. Mezzo-Soprano (F3 - G5)
Badly wanting a child, the Baker's Wife would go to any length to have one. However, when her husband sets off into the woods to seek the things that would enable them to remove their 'curse' of infertility, her assertiveness and stubbornness eventually help bring about a change between her and her husband. Determined and bright. Romantic at heart, but materialistic at times.
LITTLE RED
Stage age 16 to 25. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5/nasal belt)
Little Red Riding Hood must journey from youth and innocence into adulthood. Until The Wolf comes along, she believes that everything and everyone is good in her life, and everyone can be trusted. However, this encounter causes her to grow up, and she must take responsibility by taking her journey through the woods. The Brothers Grimm's tale is a metaphor for the loss of innocence. Spoiled, clever, vain, sarcastic. Seeks approval in place of love, of which she is profoundly lacking.
JACK'S MOTHER
Stage age 45 to 65. Soprano (Bb3 - Gb5)
A single mother and a fighter, Jack's Mother is mainly concerned with not starving. She forces Jack to sell his beloved cow, Milky White, to survive. Kooky, loud, and forceful. Not the most glamorous woman. Must have good comedic timing.
Both female presenting performers and male (drag) performers will be considered for this role.
WITCH
Stage age 35 to 55. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5/belt)
Initially portrayed as 'the villain', the Witch's story is much more complicated. At times, yes, she is an adversary, but the Witch is just as human as the characters who cross her path. She has an ulterior motive when she reveals she was the one who placed the curse of infertility on the Baker's family. Outwardly she is self-serving, possessive, sarcastic, vain, charismatic. Inwardly she is insecure and lonely.
STEPMOTHER
Stage age 40 to 60. Mezzo-Soprano (A3 - F#5)
Psychologically abusive, greedy, selfish, and mean-spirited, Cinderella's Stepmother wants what is best for herself and her two daughters, but no Cinderella. Mean spirited, greedy, demanding. Superb character part.
Both female presenting performers and male (drag) performers will be considered for this role.
FLORINDA
Stage age 16 to 28. Mezzo-Soprano (C4 - Ab5)
Cinderella's stepsister, lovely but black of heart. Loud energetic. Good character role.
LUCINDA
Stage age 16 to 28. Mezzo-Soprano (C4 - Ab5)
Cinderella's stepsister, lovely but black of heart. Loud energetic. Good character role.
CINDERELLA'S PRINCE/WOLF
Stage age 25 to 35. Baritone (Bb2 - Gb4) Operatic tone for prince. Manic hungry tone for wolf.
Though charming, handsome, and seemingly perfect, Cinderella's Prince thinks his royal birth entitles him to take anything, and anyone, he wants. Also plays the wolf who is a rather hungry creature. The Wolf represents imminent danger and the chaos of life and death.
RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE
Stage age 25 to 35. Baritone (Bb3 - Gb5) Operatic tone.
Attractive and pompous like his brother, Cinderella's Prince, he is second-in-line, has a chip on his shoulder, and is always searching for the next big thing. He tries his best to help when Rapunzel starts to lose her grip on reality.
RAPUNZEL
Stage age 18 to 25. Soprano (B3 - A5)
Raised and locked away by The Witch, Rapunzel grew up confined to a tower in the woods; and even though she escapes to start a new life and understand her true history, she struggles to maintain her sanity after her distressing upbringing. Loopy-by-lovely maiden, completely innocent of worldly matters. Needs strong vocal control in legit soprano range/style.
STEWARD
Stage age 30 to 50. Spoken but sings baritone in choral parts.
An attendant of Cinderella's Prince, he is a self-important, surly servant to the royal family. Surly, bureaucratic, full of self-importance.
Both male and non-binary presenting actors will be considered for this role.
CINDERELLA'S MOTHER/SNOW WHITE
Stage age 25 to 35. Soprano (E4 - F4)
Though no longer living, Cinderella's Mother is still pivotal in granting useful advice and helping fulfill Cinderella's wish of going to the Prince's ball. Also doubles as Snow White at the end.
GRANNY/GIANT/SLEEPING BEAUTY
Stage age 25 to 35. Spoken but sings in choral parts.
Red Riding Hood's feisty, bitter, vindictive grandmother, good comic timing. Doubles as Sleeping Beauty.
Stage age 30 to 60. Baritone (G2 - E4)
Following the path of teachers and parents' footsteps, the Narrator helps guide the story along. Should be likeable and engaging. Intellectual, pleasant. Good storyteller who relates directly to the audience. This is a double cast role as the Mysterious Man who is a wandering vagrant found in the woods. He is full of riddles and an important secret.
CINDERELLA
Stage age 18 to 30. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5)
Even though she lives with her wicked stepmother, and two cruel stepsisters, Cinderella is kind and good, and her only wish is to go the the Prince's festival (a.k.a. The Ball), but once she does go and the Prince pursues her, she is uncertain about how to proceed. Earnest, pretty, warm-hearted, kind, trying to find her place in the world.
JACK
Stage age 16 to 25. Tenor (B2-G4)
Foolhardy, sometimes dense, and desperate for a better life, Jack sells his beloved cow Milky White for magic beans which lead him up the beanstalk and on a journey of growing up and learning to accept the consequences. The feckless giant killer. Eager to please, genuine/sincere, impulsive, a little slow of learning and misled by his lack of self-knowledge. High overall singing range, requires lovely lyric tenor quality.
BAKER
Stage age 25 to 25. Baritone (Ab2 - G4)
The 'hero' of the story, although his actions are not always heroic. The Baker feels he must 'fix' his and his wife's inability to have children and initally tries to pursue his quest without her, but he soon realizes he is much better off with her by his side. Average 'every man', warm hearted, determined but insecure, has never faced his fears.
BAKERS WIFE
Stage age 25 to 25. Mezzo-Soprano (F3 - G5)
Badly wanting a child, the Baker's Wife would go to any length to have one. However, when her husband sets off into the woods to seek the things that would enable them to remove their 'curse' of infertility, her assertiveness and stubbornness eventually help bring about a change between her and her husband. Determined and bright. Romantic at heart, but materialistic at times.
LITTLE RED
Stage age 16 to 25. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5/nasal belt)
Little Red Riding Hood must journey from youth and innocence into adulthood. Until The Wolf comes along, she believes that everything and everyone is good in her life, and everyone can be trusted. However, this encounter causes her to grow up, and she must take responsibility by taking her journey through the woods. The Brothers Grimm's tale is a metaphor for the loss of innocence. Spoiled, clever, vain, sarcastic. Seeks approval in place of love, of which she is profoundly lacking.
JACK'S MOTHER
Stage age 45 to 65. Soprano (Bb3 - Gb5)
A single mother and a fighter, Jack's Mother is mainly concerned with not starving. She forces Jack to sell his beloved cow, Milky White, to survive. Kooky, loud, and forceful. Not the most glamorous woman. Must have good comedic timing.
Both female presenting performers and male (drag) performers will be considered for this role.
WITCH
Stage age 35 to 55. Mezzo-Soprano (Bb3 - F5/belt)
Initially portrayed as 'the villain', the Witch's story is much more complicated. At times, yes, she is an adversary, but the Witch is just as human as the characters who cross her path. She has an ulterior motive when she reveals she was the one who placed the curse of infertility on the Baker's family. Outwardly she is self-serving, possessive, sarcastic, vain, charismatic. Inwardly she is insecure and lonely.
STEPMOTHER
Stage age 40 to 60. Mezzo-Soprano (A3 - F#5)
Psychologically abusive, greedy, selfish, and mean-spirited, Cinderella's Stepmother wants what is best for herself and her two daughters, but no Cinderella. Mean spirited, greedy, demanding. Superb character part.
Both female presenting performers and male (drag) performers will be considered for this role.
FLORINDA
Stage age 16 to 28. Mezzo-Soprano (C4 - Ab5)
Cinderella's stepsister, lovely but black of heart. Loud energetic. Good character role.
LUCINDA
Stage age 16 to 28. Mezzo-Soprano (C4 - Ab5)
Cinderella's stepsister, lovely but black of heart. Loud energetic. Good character role.
CINDERELLA'S PRINCE/WOLF
Stage age 25 to 35. Baritone (Bb2 - Gb4) Operatic tone for prince. Manic hungry tone for wolf.
Though charming, handsome, and seemingly perfect, Cinderella's Prince thinks his royal birth entitles him to take anything, and anyone, he wants. Also plays the wolf who is a rather hungry creature. The Wolf represents imminent danger and the chaos of life and death.
RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE
Stage age 25 to 35. Baritone (Bb3 - Gb5) Operatic tone.
Attractive and pompous like his brother, Cinderella's Prince, he is second-in-line, has a chip on his shoulder, and is always searching for the next big thing. He tries his best to help when Rapunzel starts to lose her grip on reality.
RAPUNZEL
Stage age 18 to 25. Soprano (B3 - A5)
Raised and locked away by The Witch, Rapunzel grew up confined to a tower in the woods; and even though she escapes to start a new life and understand her true history, she struggles to maintain her sanity after her distressing upbringing. Loopy-by-lovely maiden, completely innocent of worldly matters. Needs strong vocal control in legit soprano range/style.
STEWARD
Stage age 30 to 50. Spoken but sings baritone in choral parts.
An attendant of Cinderella's Prince, he is a self-important, surly servant to the royal family. Surly, bureaucratic, full of self-importance.
Both male and non-binary presenting actors will be considered for this role.
CINDERELLA'S MOTHER/SNOW WHITE
Stage age 25 to 35. Soprano (E4 - F4)
Though no longer living, Cinderella's Mother is still pivotal in granting useful advice and helping fulfill Cinderella's wish of going to the Prince's ball. Also doubles as Snow White at the end.
GRANNY/GIANT/SLEEPING BEAUTY
Stage age 25 to 35. Spoken but sings in choral parts.
Red Riding Hood's feisty, bitter, vindictive grandmother, good comic timing. Doubles as Sleeping Beauty.
