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Auditions Announcement


Into the Woods
by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Auditions: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Tacoma Hall (timeslots available between 3-9 p.m.)

Callbacks:  Friday, Sept. 6, in Tacoma Hall, 6-9 p.m.

First read-through: Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m.

Tentative rehearsal times:  Monday-Friday, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon 

Production dates:  Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, Oct. 13 and 20, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 16, and Thursday, Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m.

Synopsis

Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s fractured fairytale comes to life in this groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to attend the ball, Jack tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmother’s house, and a baker and his wife discover their dreams of a family are restricted by a witch’s curse. They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys that include falling in love, slaying a giant, facing off with a wolf and more. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them. The characters quickly find this web is too big to untangle on their own and that they must work together to set everything right in the kingdom. 

 

Auditions – Thursday, Sept. 5, in Tacoma Hall, timeslots available from 3-9 p.m.

  • After filling out an audition form (see link after character breakdowns), you will be directed to secure a five-minute audition timeslot. You will not need to attend the full evening of auditions.

Callbacks – Friday, Sept. 6, in Tacoma Hall, 6-9 p.m.

  • All auditioners will be asked to attend the movement call at the first hour of callbacks.
  • Select auditioners may be asked by the artistic team to stay after the movement call to sing and read additional excerpts from the show.
  • Please note: Being called back does not guarantee casting, and not being called back does not mean that you are not being considered.

Tentative Rehearsal Schedule – Weekdays in Tacoma Hall, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

  • Not all cast will be called for every rehearsal.
  • Specific schedule to be set once cast conflicts have been sorted.
  • First rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Individual Vocal Coaching – Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Cast members with singing roles will sign up for private vocal coaching slots with the music director.

Audition Preparation

We are looking for a diverse ensemble of talented storytellers to play a variety of exciting roles. Please prepare a one-minute musical theatre song that showcases your best self and vocal range. Please bring a clean and readable copy of the sheet music of your selection for the pianist. Additionally, we ask that you choose one of the provided narrator excerpts from the show to recite. Memorization is encouraged but not required; printed copies will be available at auditions.

Characters Breakdown:  

  • Narrator (any identity): Following the path of teachers and parents’ footsteps, the narrator helps guide the story along. Vocal range: G2-E4.
  • Cinderella (female-presenting): Even though she lives with her father, wicked stepmother and two cruel stepsisters, Cinderella is kind and good, and her only wish is to go to the prince’s festival, but once she does go and the prince pursues her, she is uncertain about how to proceed. Vocal range: Bb3-F5.
  • Jack (male-presenting): 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. Vocal range: B2-G4.
  • Jack's Mother (female-presenting): Browbeating and weary, Jack's protective mother is independent, bold and strong-willed. Vocal range: Bb3-Gb5.
  • The Baker (male-presenting): A harried and insecure baker who is simple and loving, yet protective of his family. He wants his wife to be happy and is willing to do anything to ensure her happiness but refuses to let others fight his battles. Vocal range: Ab2-G4.
  • The Baker's Wife (female-presenting): Determined and bright woman who wishes to be a mother. She leads a simple, yet satisfying life and is very low-maintenance yet proactive in her endeavors. Vocal range: F3-G5.
  • Cinderella's Stepmother (female-presenting): The mean-spirited, demanding stepmother of Cinderella. Vocal range: A3-F#5.
  • Florinda & Lucinda (female-presenting): Cinderella's beautiful yet cruel stepsisters. They follow in their mother's mean footsteps. Vocal range: C4-Ab5.
  • Little Red Riding Hood (female-presenting): A spoiled young girl who is strong-willed, quick-witted, fearless, yet youthful and naive. She 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 is to be trusted. However, this encounter causes her to grow up, and she must take responsibility by taking her journey through the woods. Vocal range: Bb3-F5.
  • Granny (female-presenting): Little Red’s grandmother who lives in the woods. She is feisty and vindictive towards the wolf. Vocal range: Spoken.
  • The Witch (female-presenting): Sarcastic, ugly-then-gorgeous, obsessive protector of Rapunzel, who is straightforward and aggressive. 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. Vocal range: Bb3-F5.
  • Cinderella's Mother (female-presenting): 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. Vocal range: E4-F4.
  • Mysterious Man (male-presenting): A wandering vagrant found in the woods, he is full or riddles and an important secret. Vocal range: G2-Eb4.
  • The Wolf (male-presenting): A hungry and insatiable hunter who takes advantage of the weak by misleading and captivating his prey. Puppeteer. Vocal range: Bb2-Gb4.
  •  Rapunzel (female-presenting): 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. Vocal range: B3-A5.
  • Cinderella's Prince (male-presenting): Vain and gorgeous, he is a disloyal lover who is currently searching for the next new, exciting thing. Vocal range: Bb2-Gb4.
  • Rapunzel's Prince (male-presenting): Just as vain and gorgeous as his prince brother, he is always chasing the newest, most exciting endeavor. Vocal range: Bb3-Gb5.
  • Giant (female-presenting): Voiceover. The Giant's wife is an angry and vengeful "monster." She is seeking restitution for her loss. Vocal range: Spoken.
  • The Steward (any identity): An attendant of Cinderella’s prince, a self-important, surly servant to the royal family. Vocal range: G2-Eb4.
  • Milky White (any identity): Jack’s cow/best friend. Puppeteer.

 

Please complete the audition form by clicking HERE.

  

About the artistic team:

Scott David Miller, music director & conductor

Joseph Lyons-Wolf, director & choreographer

Joseph (he/him) is an interdisciplinary artist and physical storyteller. His core principles as an artist are inspiring creative curiosity, fostering belonging and cultivating work that is rooted in joy. He believes in a fully collaborative artistic process that honors the unique individual voices of all involved. Joseph is currently an adjunct professor of dance at Gonzaga University where he teaches jazz, tap, pedagogy and musical theatre courses. In addition to teaching, he is a professional director and choreographer. Prior to his time at Gonzaga, he worked in education and engagement for Disney on Broadway where he taught masterclasses, contributed to curriculum creation and facilitated community outreach events. Joseph’s training includes a B.M. in musical theatre from Oklahoma City University, a Certificate of Excellence from Broadway Dance Center, an M.A. in educational theatre from New York University and an MFA. in choreography from Jacksonville University. Favorite production credits include Spring Awakening (director & choreographer, Gonzaga University), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (choreographer, Gonzaga University), Smokey Joe’s Café (director & choreographer, CDA Summer Theatre), and Curtains! (choreographer, Oklahoma City University). 

  

If you have questions, please contact theatre-dept@whitworth.edu or call 509.777.3707.