Click here to join our mailing list and be notified of upcoming auditions!
ANNOUNCING OPEN AUDITIONS
FOR OUR SUMMER 2020 PRODUCTION
Sweeney Todd
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A musical thriller
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Sharon Winegar
Music Direction by Ken Getz
Performances:
July 16 through August 8, 2020
at the historic Nevada Theatre
Open Auditions will be held at the following times:
Thursday, October 17 - 6 to 9 PM
Saturday, October 19 - 10 AM to 12 PM
If you would like to audition but are unable to make either of these dates, please contact auditions@sierrastages.org.
A barber who was unjustly imprisoned for years by a corrupt judge returns to England bent on revenge — a revenge that turns indiscriminately murderous, leading his resourceful accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, to bake the victims into meat pies. Most people agree it's the best musical of all time. It's certainly among the most challenging, musically and dramatically.
Auditions will take place at:
Sierra Stages Rehearsal Studio at Peace Lutheran Church
828 W. Main St, Grass Valley, CA 95945 (map)
Sierra Stages' studio is on the ground floor beneath the church's Fellowship Center.
Once in the church's parking lot, follow the building around to the right. Go past the church's main doors, and look for stairs and a ramp leading down to a below-grade outdoor "plaza". Sierra Stages' door is in that concrete area.
Callbacks will be held at a date and time TBD. If you are called back for one or more roles, we'll email you with scheduling and other information. Not every actor who auditions will be asked to the callbacks, and casting some parts may not require a callback audition.
NOTE: All roles in SWEENEY TODD are unpaid.
NOTE: If you wish to audition for both SWEENEY TODD and BLITHE SPIRIT, that's great! If you get cast in both shows, your rehearsal schedule for SWEENEY TODD will not conflict with BLITHE SPIRIT performances. BLITHE SPIRIT performances begin February 27 and end on March 21, 2020.
Important Information about Scheduling Auditions:
In order to streamline the auditions, we would like you to pick a time slot from the following options by filling out the online Audition Scheduling Survey below:
1. Thursday, Oct 17: 6PM to 7PM
2. Thursday, Oct 17: 7PM to 8PM
3. Thursday, Oct 17: 8PM to 9PM
4. Saturday, Oct 19: 10AM to 11AM
5. Saturday, Oct 19: 11AM to 12PM
Please make sure you fill out the Audition Scheduling Survey, so that we can make best use of your valuable time.
Sierra Stages Rehearsal Studio at Peace Lutheran Church
828 W. Main St, Grass Valley, CA 95945 (map)
Sierra Stages' studio is on the ground floor beneath the church's Fellowship Center.
Once in the church's parking lot, follow the building around to the right. Go past the church's main doors, and look for stairs and a ramp leading down to a below-grade outdoor "plaza". Sierra Stages' door is in that concrete area.
Callbacks will be held at a date and time TBD. If you are called back for one or more roles, we'll email you with scheduling and other information. Not every actor who auditions will be asked to the callbacks, and casting some parts may not require a callback audition.
NOTE: All roles in SWEENEY TODD are unpaid.
NOTE: If you wish to audition for both SWEENEY TODD and BLITHE SPIRIT, that's great! If you get cast in both shows, your rehearsal schedule for SWEENEY TODD will not conflict with BLITHE SPIRIT performances. BLITHE SPIRIT performances begin February 27 and end on March 21, 2020.
Important Information about Scheduling Auditions:
In order to streamline the auditions, we would like you to pick a time slot from the following options by filling out the online Audition Scheduling Survey below:
1. Thursday, Oct 17: 6PM to 7PM
2. Thursday, Oct 17: 7PM to 8PM
3. Thursday, Oct 17: 8PM to 9PM
4. Saturday, Oct 19: 10AM to 11AM
5. Saturday, Oct 19: 11AM to 12PM
Please make sure you fill out the Audition Scheduling Survey, so that we can make best use of your valuable time.
You can also fill out the audition form ahead of time, so you don't need to do it when you arrive at the auditions. Please download, print, and fill out the form, if you can. You can also fill out the form online, if you'd prefer.
Also, please join our mailing list so we can keep you up to date about future auditions and events.
Watch the Musical:
If you'd like to watch all or part of the show to get an idea of how it "works", you can use this Youtube link to find several full versions of the show (many of which are high school productions). DO NOT USE THE TIM BURTON MOVIE VERSION OF SWEENEY TODD as a reference for the show. The music, style, characters, and even some of the plot is changed in the movie. It is interesting and fun to watch the movie, but it will not help much in preparing for this show or its auditions.
You'll also find a full audio recording of the musical, from 1993 performance at the National Theatre in London here.
What to Prepare for Your Audition:
Prepare a short (1 to 2-minute) Broadway-style song. You may sing a song from the show, another Sondheim musical, or any show that demonstrates both vocal and acting skills. Please plan to bring printed sheet music for your song. An accompanist will be provided. You may be asked to sing some scales to check your range. If you have questions about finding sheet music, or about selecting a song, please contact the music director by clicking the link.
NOTE: You may be asked to read a short scene at the audition, as well.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Rehearsals generally occur on Sundays (2 to 5 PM or 5 to 8 PM), and Mondays through Thursdays (6PM to 9PM). Because of the amount and complexity of the music, 5-day-per-week music rehearsals will begin Monday, March 2 and will continue throughout March and April until staging rehearsals begin. Staging rehearsals will begin on Monday, May 4, and will continue through May and June until the show's opening on July 16. This is an unusually long rehearsal period, but it is an unusually difficult and challenging show. You must be able to commit to a standard 5-day-per-week rehearsal schedule starting in March - although it's unlikely you would ever be called 5 nights in a row until much later in the process - in order to be in the show. We understand that you may have conflicts during the long rehearsal period. Please disclose any and all conflicts on your audition form. We consider conflicts in casting the show, and we also try to work around conflicts where we can.
NOTE: If you are also cast in Sierra Stages' production of Blithe Spirit (which runs in March 2020) we'll definitely work around the performance conflicts!
Performances:
The show will run for four weekends (Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sunday afternoons at 2 PM) from July 16 through August 8 at the Nevada Theatre.
Preparing for the audition:
1a. Download, print, and fill out the audition form, or
1b. Fill in the audition form online and we'll have it printed for you at the audition.
2. Fill out the audition survey and choose a time.
3. Prepare your musical audition piece.
See you there!
For questions or concerns, contact auditions@sierrastages.org, or call 530-346-3210.
Watch the Musical:
If you'd like to watch all or part of the show to get an idea of how it "works", you can use this Youtube link to find several full versions of the show (many of which are high school productions). DO NOT USE THE TIM BURTON MOVIE VERSION OF SWEENEY TODD as a reference for the show. The music, style, characters, and even some of the plot is changed in the movie. It is interesting and fun to watch the movie, but it will not help much in preparing for this show or its auditions.
You'll also find a full audio recording of the musical, from 1993 performance at the National Theatre in London here.
What to Prepare for Your Audition:
Prepare a short (1 to 2-minute) Broadway-style song. You may sing a song from the show, another Sondheim musical, or any show that demonstrates both vocal and acting skills. Please plan to bring printed sheet music for your song. An accompanist will be provided. You may be asked to sing some scales to check your range. If you have questions about finding sheet music, or about selecting a song, please contact the music director by clicking the link.
NOTE: You may be asked to read a short scene at the audition, as well.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Rehearsals generally occur on Sundays (2 to 5 PM or 5 to 8 PM), and Mondays through Thursdays (6PM to 9PM). Because of the amount and complexity of the music, 5-day-per-week music rehearsals will begin Monday, March 2 and will continue throughout March and April until staging rehearsals begin. Staging rehearsals will begin on Monday, May 4, and will continue through May and June until the show's opening on July 16. This is an unusually long rehearsal period, but it is an unusually difficult and challenging show. You must be able to commit to a standard 5-day-per-week rehearsal schedule starting in March - although it's unlikely you would ever be called 5 nights in a row until much later in the process - in order to be in the show. We understand that you may have conflicts during the long rehearsal period. Please disclose any and all conflicts on your audition form. We consider conflicts in casting the show, and we also try to work around conflicts where we can.
NOTE: If you are also cast in Sierra Stages' production of Blithe Spirit (which runs in March 2020) we'll definitely work around the performance conflicts!
Performances:
The show will run for four weekends (Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sunday afternoons at 2 PM) from July 16 through August 8 at the Nevada Theatre.
Preparing for the audition:
1a. Download, print, and fill out the audition form, or
1b. Fill in the audition form online and we'll have it printed for you at the audition.
2. Fill out the audition survey and choose a time.
3. Prepare your musical audition piece.
See you there!
For questions or concerns, contact auditions@sierrastages.org, or call 530-346-3210.
Characters
All roles are open.
Suggested ages refer to the age of the characters, not the age of the actors.
All roles are unpaid.
Sweeney Todd
A wrongfully imprisoned barber seeking to right the wrongs committed against him.
He is Johanna's father, singularly focussed on taking bloody revenge. Our story's tormented protagonist. (Age: 40 to 60)
Gender: Male
Vocal range: F2 to Gb4 (bari-tenor)
Mrs. Lovett
An entrepreneurial and amoral meat pie shop owner.
She falls in love with Todd and turns his desire for revenge into a profitable business venture. (Age: 40 to 60)
Gender: Female
Vocal range: G3 to E5 (mezzo)
Anthony Hope
A naive and youthful sailor returning to London. He helps Todd return to London and
unexpectedly falls in love with Johanna. (Age: 20 to 30)
Gender: Male
Vocal range: Bb2 to F4 (bari-tenor)
Johanna
A spritely girl, full of innocence, constantly yearning for freedom.
Todd's long-lost daughter and Turpin's ward. (Age: 18 to 25)
Gender: Female
Vocal range: Bb3 to A5 (soprano)
Tobias Ragg
A poor youngster apprenticed to Pirelli. He finds a surrogate family in Todd and Lovett.
Note: This part could be portrayed by a young woman with a low voice.
Gender: Male (Age: 13 to 20)
Vocal range: Bb2 to Ab4 (tenor)
Judge Turpin
A lecherous public official who portrays himself as a sanctimonious authoritarian.
He takes advantage of his position in the city and is responsible for imprisoning Todd.
Gender: Male (age: 40 to 70)
Vocal range: E2 to Gb4 (bass/baritone)
The Beadle
A pompous public official. He is deeply loyal to the corrupt Turpin.
Gender: Male (Age: 30 to 60)
Vocal range: D3 to D5 (tenor, strong falsetto beneficial)
Beggar Woman
A deranged and schizophrenic woman who harbors a dark, surprising secret.
Gender: Female (Age: 30 to 60)
Vocal range: Ab3 to F5 (mezzo)
Adolfo Pirelli
A flamboyant Italian rival barber; a charlatan with a secret past.
Gender: Male (Age: 20 to 40)
Vocal range: B2 to C5 (high tenor, strong falsetto beneficial)
Jonas Fogg
The owner of Fogg's Asylum. He sells the hair of madmen to wigmakers.
Gender: Male
(Sings only with ensemble; can be any voice part)
Ensemble
A "greek chorus"; huge amounts of singing/stage time; many solo opportunities
Need low bass through extremely high soprano (all voice parts)
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact us at auditions@sierrastages.org or call us at 530.346.3210.
If you have any questions, please contact us at auditions@sierrastages.org or call us at 530.346.3210.