Audition Packet Producer: The Washington Theatre Director: Mr. Salty

Audition Packet
Producer: The Washington Theatre
       Director: Mr. Salty

Audition Ages 10-18
Audition Location: Patterson Park Community Center; Washington Theatre
Audition Dates: March 7th and 9th (only come to one) Call backs March 10th at
5:30pm (by invitiation only)
Audition Times:
Please arrive early. You will need to have the audition form filled out by the start of
auditions. To fill out the audition form click this link. Auditions will begin promptly
and the doors will be closed at the appointed time.
10-18 year olds 5:30-until (monologue and song)

Rehearsal and Perfomance dates:
Rehearsal will begin March 14th with a mandatory Parent Meeting and read
through for cast.
Performances on May 12, 13, 14, 15
Rehearsal Times:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30
Performance Times:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7pm Sunday 2pm

All Roles are Available
No roles have been precast. The director is looking for all ages, genders,
ethnicities, and vocal ranges. There are approximatley 25 speaking roles, up to 35
ensemble roles and 10 dance roles available. Backstage/Crew positions are also
available, you must either interview or audition for these roles. Ensemble roles
may be cast in more than one ensemble. Leading roles may be double cast or
understudied.

Music for Auditions
Audition Cuts for ALL AGE GROUPS for
                               Matilda The Musical Jr
                  Selections in Alphabetical Order are as follows:

These Music cuts are available by emailing lwright@murfreesborotn.gov

Need Music Cuts or instructions on what specifically to do

You may choose one of the above cuts for your vocal audition. These cuts will be
available during auditions. If you choose your own audition music, it will need to be
no more than 32 bars (a verse and chorus) or 60 seconds of a pre-recorded
instrumental. Please email the mp3 along with your name and age by 12pm the
day of your audition to washingtontheatre@murfreesborotn.gov or bring a flash
drive of your prepared music. We suggest having a download of your music on
your phone as a backup. Your music selection must be precut, or you must sing the
first 90 seconds. There is no wi-fi in the theatre to download your music once you
arrive.

Monologue Choices for Matilda JR The Musical
This is a general call /the monologue you choose does not in any way effect how
you will be cast in the show. We are listening to voice, acting, understanding and
delivery no matter what monologue you choose.

MR WORMWOOD Matilda’s father
[to the phone] Hang on. (to Matilda)
Stop scaring your mother with that book, boy.
[to the phone] I'm gonna call you straight back. [to MRS WORMWOOD] Would
you please shut up? I am trying to pull off the biggest business deal of my life and
I have to listen to this. It's your fault. You spend us into trouble and you expect
me to get us out. What am I? A flaming escapologist? I'm gonna make us rich!
Russian businessmen: very, very stupid! Your genius husband is going to sell them
one hundred and fifty five old cars as brand-new luxury cars.[to MATILDA] And
you with your stupid books and your stupid reading - get off to bed, you little
bookworm.

MRS WORMWOOD Matilda’s Mother
Look at this. She's reading a book. That's not normal for a five-year-old. I think she
might be an idiot. And she keeps trying to tell me stories, Harry. Stories. Who
wants stories? I mean, it's just not normal for a girl to be all . . . "thinking". Your
father wants to escape this! What about me, then? I've got a whole house to look
after! Dinners don't microwave themselves, you know! If you're an escapologist, I
must be an acrobat to balance that lot. The world's greatest acrobat! I am off to
bleach my roots . . . and I shan't be talking to you for the rest of the evening, you
horrid little man!
Hmm. Well, I shall take your money when you earn it, and I shall spend it. But I
shan't enjoy it, because of the despicable way in which you have spoken to me
tonight.

MS. TRUNCHBULL or THE TRUNCHBULL
How dare you? You are not fit to be in this school madam. You ought to be in
prison! In the deepest dankest darkest prison! I shall have you wheeled out
strapped to a trolley with a muzzle over your mouth. I shall crush you. Your father
is a crook and so are you. Miss Honey has allowed her weakness and filth to
permeate through this miserable collection of excuses for children and you,
madam, standing there before me like the squit of squids, are it’s beating heart.
You are the axis of evil, you are the nexus of necrosis, you are a rotting lump of
pure wrong. You are a black hole of wrongheadedness from which, no light, no
strength, no discipline can escape. But I am a match for you, madam. In me you
have met the avenger, the spirit of all that is right. And I tell you there is nothing I
shall not do, no length to which I shall not go, no punishment I shall not inflict, no
ear I shall not stretch, no finger I shall not snap back to defeat you. Yes, I defeat
you in exaltation, do you hear?
Are you listening? Are you listening madam?

BRUCE (a big child age 10)
Okay! Look! All right! I stole the cake. And honestly, I was really, definitely, sort
of, almost thinking about owning up. Maybe. But the thing was, I was having a lot
of trouble with my belly. You see, the Trunchbull's cake was so good that I'd
scoffed it down too quick, and now it was beginning to fight back. [His stomach
growls.] Oops! See! BRUCE turns back around and the scene unfreezes. MISS
TRUNCHBULL
It was the biggest burp I had ever done. It was the biggest burp I had ever heard.
The biggest burp I had ever heard about! It was like the entire world went silent
for that burp to exist. As a huge cloud of chocolate-y gas wafted from my mouth
and drifted across the class. Past Lavender. Past Alice. Past Matilda. And then, my
great, big, beautiful chocolate-y burp, which now seemed to have a mind of its
own, wafted full into the face of the Trunchbull!

MATILDA (small child age 5)
Yes. Well, I needed to learn to read words so that I could read sentences. Because
basically a sentence is just a big bunch of words. And if you can't read sentences,
you've got no chance with books.
Nigel is over there Miss Trunchbull under those coats.
Where he's been for the last hour, actually.
Oh, yes. You see, unfortunately, Nigel suffers from the rare, but chronic sleep
disorder, narcolepsy. The condition is characterized by the sufferer experiencing
bouts of chronic fatigue, and falling suddenly asleep, often without knowing, or
any warning at all. You see, he fell asleep, and we put him under the coats for
safety. Didn't we?
He'll probably think he's in bed when he wakes up.
Please choose one of the above monologues to memorize and perform during
auditions. You may choose your own monologue, please make sure it is under 1
minute in length and in the style of the show.

Casting the Show
One of the most important responsibilities of the Production staff is casting the
show. We have an audition panel that consists of the Director, Producers, Music
Directors, Choreographer, Designers, and Outside professionals in the field of
Theatre. We try to have at least one professional that does not know any of the
children in our program to help give an unbiased view. Anyone on the panel that is
a parent to children auditioning or has other personal connection to the child
auditioning (such as teaching private dance or music lessons) must leave the room
and they are not allowed to witness their auditions. This allows the other
members of the panel to give objective feedback on the audition and ensures that
the children will not be shown preferential treatment due to familiar ties.

Casting is a group process, no one person casts a production. We listen carefully to
all the panelist through the casting process. We consider their opinions and
observations carefully before all casting is final. We try to ensure that auditioning
is a positive process. However, we realize that some children will not get the roles
they desire. Matilda The Musical Jr. is designed to be an ensemble show – so every
part is essential to its success. We do strive to cast everyone that auditions, but
sometimes because of conflicts and cast size we must make the agonizing decision
to not cast everyone. Please know if this happens, we would love for you to
audition again.

Call Backs
Call backs are by invitation only. You may be told who you are being called back
for, you may not know at all. Just come with a great attitude. If there are specific
instructions, we will have those in the call back e-mail.
If you are asked to come to call backs, this does not mean you have a lead. You will
be reading with other cast members and we are looking for chemistry and fit. You
may still only be cast in an ensemble role or not cast at all. “Group chemistry is just
as important as individual talent” – Music Theatre International.
If you are asked to stay behind during regular auditions the reasons vary. This does
not mean you are or are not being considered for a lead. It means we want to
check your vocal ranges or give you a second chance to show us what you can do.

Character Breakdown

Matilda Wormwood
The hero of the show. She’s brilliant, resilient, creative, and kind, despite growing
up in difficult circumstances. Her parents treat her poorly, but Matilda escapes into
a world of books, which puts her reading level far above the other children in her
class, and she develops a bit of magical power in an effort to defeat Trunchbull.
Cast a fantastic singer and great actress in this role who can embody both
Matilda’s cleverness and her kindness.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Eric
A student at school with Matilda. He has the very first solo line of the entire show,
so make sure to cast a good singer in this role. He also has some featured
moments as one of Matilda’s schoolmates, so it’s helpful if Eric is also an
expressive actor.

Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Amanda
A student at school with Matilda. She has a few solos and lines, but her most
featured moment is when Trunchbull throws her through the air using her pigtails.
Cast a good singer and mover in this role.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Bruce
One of Matilda’s schoolmates. He has the bad luck to get caught after eating
Trunchbull’s cake. Bruce goes through quite a transformation throughout the show
and has some important solos, so cast an excellent singer and actor. Keep in mind
that just because Bruce eats the cake, it doesn’t mean he has to be physically
larger than the other children – just cast an actor who can portray Bruce’s journey
throughout the show.

Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Hortensia
Alice, Hortensia, and Tommy are classmates of Matilda who each sing solos, and
Hortensia has a few lines. These roles are great for good singers and movers who
may be newer to the stage.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4

Alice
Alice, Hortensia, and Tommy are classmates of Matilda who each sing solos. These
roles are great for good singers and movers who may be newer to the stage.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Tommy
Alice, Hortensia, and Tommy are classmates of Matilda who each sing solos. These
roles are great for good singers and movers who may be newer to the stage.

Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Lavender
One of the kids at school with Matilda. She is kind and bright (though not as
brilliant as Matilda) and quickly decides that Matilda is her best friend. Cast an
actress in this role who can portray Lavender’s likability and friendliness.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4

Nigel
One of the kids at school with Matilda. He is enthusiastic, sweet, and always in a bit
of a panic. Nigel has a few solos and some great featured moments in the show, so
cast a strong actor and singer in this great supporting role.

Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Mr. Wormwood
Matilda’s father. He is egotistical, rude, and not very bright, not to mention a liar.
Though Mr. Wormwood is not a good person and he is mean to Matilda, his
harebrained schemes can be hilariously funny, so cast a fantastic character actor in
this role who can really land the comedy and isn’t afraid to play an unlikeable
character. It’s helpful if Mr. Wormwood reads as older onstage and makes a
dynamic pair with Mrs. Wormwood.

Gender: Male
Mrs. Wormwood
Matilda’s mother. Like her husband, she dislikes Matilda and does not understand
why her daughter loves to read. Mrs. Wormwood is selfish, obsessed with her own
appearance, and believes everything she sees on TV. Her dancing lessons with
Rudolpho are the most important part of her day. Cast a great actress who can
portray Mrs. Wormwood’s nastiness but also play up her ridiculousness and lean
into the comedy.

Gender: Female

Michael
Matilda’s brother. He is not very bright, though he is the apple of his father’s eye.
This is a hilarious supporting role for a younger actor with comedic timing, as
Michael’s contributions to the scene usually function as deadpan one-liners.

Gender: Male
Mrs. Phelps
The kindly librarian who loves hearing Matilda’s stories. This is a great featured
role for a stronger actress who reads as older than Matilda onstage.

Gender: Female
Escapologist
A character of Matilda’s creation. Everything this character does is grand and
exaggerated – he’s performing for the cheap seats! Cast a solid actor and mover in
this fun featured role.

Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F3
Vocal range bottom: E3
Acrobat
A product of Matilda’s imagination. Cast an actor in this featured role that can give
their all!

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D4

Miss Honey
A teacher at Matilda’s school. She is kind, is generous, and really cares about the
children despite her own desperate circumstances. Cast an excellent actress and
singer who can portray Miss Honey’s sweetness and her strength. It’s helpful if the
actress reads as older than the kids from onstage.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Agatha Trunchbull
The quintessential terrifying tyrant. As headmistress, she runs her school like a
dictator, making up arbitrary rules to suit her every whim and dreaming up
creative punishments. The Trunchbull can be played by a male or female (though
the character is female). It’s helpful if Trunchbull is physically larger than the actors
playing children. Cast a fantastic character actor and singer who can command the
stage and embody Trunchbull’s larger-than-life villainy.

Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Rudolpho
Mrs. Wormwood’s self-obsessed dance teacher. This is a hilarious featured role for
a comedic performer who moves well.

Gender: Male

Sergei
A customer swindled by Mr. Wormwood. Though he shows up looking for payback,
Matilda has had quite enough of revenge, and Sergei lets the Wormwoods escape.
This is a great featured role for an actor who can embody Sergei’s intimidating
presence.

Gender: Male
Ensemble
Ensemble roles include Russians, Little Kids, Big Kids (including Big Kid 1, Big Kid 2,
and Big Kid 3), Kids, Mums, Dads, the Cook, and the Mechanic. Audition Forms are
ready! If you would like to fill yours out before you arrive, please email me.

Mark Saltalamachia (Mr. Salty)
Asst. Cultural Arts Coordinator – Perform Murfreesboro

Leslie Wright
Facility Coordinator
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Leslie at lwright@murfreesborotn.gov