AUDITIONS: THE SOUND OF MUSIC
ANNOUNCING OPEN AUDITIONS FOR
PARAMOUNT PRODUCTIONS’ 33RD SUMMER MUSICAL:
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Book by HOWARD LINDSAY and RUSSELL CROUSE
Suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp
Directed by Katie Hahn
Music Direction by Marc Sanders
Choreography by Teri Wilkerson
Scenic/Lighting Design by Grayson Allred
Costume Design by Emilia Richardson
From concordtheatricals.com:
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards for the stage musical and five Oscars for the film adaptation. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.
www.concordtheatricals.com
AUDITION INFORMATION
AUDITIONS: Tuesday, February 24 or Thursday, February 26.
CALLBACKS: Tuesday, March 3
WHERE: 352 Cypress St., Abilene, TX 79601
WHO: People aged 7 and over, of all ethnicities, genders, and abilities are encouraged to audition. All participants must be 7 years of age or older by May 1, 2026.
We are looking to cast approx. 30 actor/singers in The Sound of Music. While most of the cast and named characters will be played by adults, we are looking for a few students (ages 7-18) to play the seven children of Captain von Trapp.
AUDITION FORM: Please fill out the audition form by clicking the “Submit An Audition Form” button below. All wanting to audition MUST complete this online form.
SIGN-UP TIME: Please sign up for one (1) time slot (5 minutes each) on the date of your choice by clicking one of the dates/times below. All wanting to audition MUST sign up for an audition time slot.
WHAT TO PREPARE: Prepare a 32-bar cut or verse/chorus from a Golden Age (pre-1965) musical in the style of The Sound of Music. We ask that you prepare material from a show other than The Sound of Music.
AT YOUR AUDITION TIME: We are asking all auditionees to perform their selections with a live collaborative pianist, who will be provided at the audition.
All auditionees must bring their own sheet music, clearly marked with start, and stop.
AFTER AUDITIONS: You will find out no later than Friday, February 27th if you have been offered a callback.
Please Note: The Sound of Music is based in and around actual historical events; in order to stay truthful to those circumstances, our rehearsal process and production will involve age-appropriate discussion of the threat of Nazi Germany and the Anschluss (forced annexation) of Austria in 1938. Nazi symbolism will also be used on stage during the production.
Please direct any questions to Katie Hahn, Director of Paramount Productions, and the director of Seussical at: khahn@paramountabilene.com
Paramount Productions is dedicated to diversity and inclusion as a core value, and as such we strongly encourage actors of all ethnicities and genders to audition.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC PERFORMANCES ARE
JUNE 26-28 & JULY 2-3, 2026.
REHEARSALS BEGIN LATE APRIL/EARLY MAY 2026.
(Rehearsals are typically held Monday-Friday, 6:30-9:30 PM.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
(**Note: All age ranges indicate the playable ages for each character. We are seeking actors who can believably play the characters’ listed ages, regardless of the actor’s actual age..)
MARIA RAINER (Female, 25-35)
A free-spirited postulant at Nonnberg Abbey who is sent to be the governess for Captain von Trapp’s seven children. She is warm and compassionate – a lover of music who doesn't think twice about speaking her mind. Dance ability will be considered. Range: Soprano, B5-C4
CAPTAIN GEORG VON TRAPP (Male, 35-45)
A distinguished, retired Naval Lieutenant Commander whose stern, regimented disposition represses a deep sadness from the loss of his wife. The Captain remains uncompromisingly loyal to his Austrian homeland as threats of Anschluss grow more serious. Dance ability will be considered. Range: Baritone, D5 to F#2/Gb2
ELSA SCHRAEDER (Female, 35-45)
A beautiful, cosmopolitan woman, she has her eyes set firmly on the Captain. She is a businesswoman, president of her late husband’s corporation, who feels the way to deal with the oncoming political situation is not to fight it and let it pass. Dance ability will be considered. Range: Mezzo, F5 to D4
MAX DETWEILER (Male, 30-50)
A charming impresario and friend of the Captain’s. He is sophisticated and enjoys the good life. Max realizes he can’t fight the new regime and agrees to go along with whatever is asked.Dance ability will be considered. Range: Tenor/Baritone, F4 to D3
MOTHER ABBESS (Female, 40+)
The leader and superior of Nonnberg Abbey. Firm and authoritative, but also kind and compassionate. Range: Soprano, G#5/Ab5 to B3
LIESL VON TRAPP (Female, 16)
The oldest child of Captain von Trapp. Liesl is at that awkward age between childhood and adulthood, and assumes a maternal role with her younger siblings. She is, however, still naïve and in need of her own guidance. Dance ability will be considered. Range: Mezzo, E5 to B3
ROLF GRUBER (Male, 17)
A delivery boy who is interested in Liesl. As an impressionable teen, he is aware of the growing political tension and is caught between his affection for Liesl and a need to prove his manhood.Dance ability will be considered. Range: E5 to C4
FRIEDRICH VON TRAPP (Male, 14)
Friedrich is the oldest boy in the family and remembers what the von Trapp house was like before his mother passed away. He is learning to be a confident man, but with his father often traveling, he lacks someone to show him how. Range: G5 to C4
LOUISA VON TRAPP (Female, 13)
Louisa has become quite skilled at playing tricks on the governesses, hiding toads in their pockets or giving the wrong name during introductions. But with Maria, it seems she's met her match. Range: G5 to C4
KURT VON TRAPP (Male, 10)
The youngest boy, Kurt is sensitive and pretends not to be hurt by his father's absence. Though he misses his mother, Kurt greatly appreciates Maria from the start. Range: G5 to C4
BRIGITTA VON TRAPP (Female, 9)
Keenly observant for her age and an avid reader. She is thoughtful and, as she says, “cannot tell a lie.” Range: G5 to C4
MARTA VON TRAPP (Female, 7)
Very honest and forthright. Marta likes to enjoy herself and would like a pink parasol for her birthday. Range: G5 to C4
GRETL VON TRAPP (Female, 5-6)
The youngest of the Trapp children, Gretl is soft-spoken and shy, but sweet. Range: G5 to C4
SISTER BERTHE (Female, 30+)
A follower of strict tradition and not a fan of nonsense. Range: E5 to C4
SISTER MARGARETTA (Female, 30+)
An empathetic nun who sees something good in Maria. Range: E5 to B3
SISTER SOPHIA (Female, 30+)
Another sister who isn't sure what to do with Maria. Range: E5 to B3
ALSO CASTING:
FRANZ (Male, 35+)
The valet/butler for the von Trapp household. Serious and somber. Secretly associated with the Nazi party.
FRAU SCHMIDT (Female, 40+)
The von Trapp family’s housekeeper. Strong, seasoned, and reliable.
HERR ZELLER (Male, 40+)
A member of the Nazi regime, sent to prepare for the Anschluss. Pompous, self-important, and arrogant.
ADMIRAL VON SCHREIBER (Male, 40+)
A high-ranking official in the Austrian Navy who has agreed to be part of the Nazi regime and escort Captain von Trapp to his new orders in Berlin.
BARON ELBERFELD (Male, 30+)
Captain von Trapp’s neighbor, who opposes the Nazi takeover.
BARONESS ELBERFELD (Female, 30+)
Wife to Baron Elberfeld.
ENSEMBLE
Nuns, Austrian Citizens, Party Guests, Wedding Guests, Nazi Soldiers, and other small featured roles
