Spring Awakening

Based on Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking and controversial play (once banned in Germany), Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s brilliant rock score and searingly emotional book take the story of sexual awakening, youth revolt, and self-discovery into a new century. It’s 1891, and grown-ups hold all the cards. Headstrong Melchior and naive Wendla stumble into each other’s arms, passionate and curious, while anxious Moritz struggles to live up to the stringent expectations of society. With only each other for guidance, this group of young men and women travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence, discovering their bodies, their minds, and themselves along the way. An electric, vibrant celebration of youth and rebellion, Spring Awakening fuses issues of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll into a story that packs a powerful emotional punch.

Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Directed by Kyle Carrillo-Enders with mentor Enrico Banson

Show dates April 12 — May 5, 2024

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sunday Matinee 2pm

Special Thursday Pay What You Can Performance April 18, 2024, 8pm

Auditions

Auditions provided via video, send email to director@masquers.org, include a copy of your resume and headshot.

In-person auditions will be held at the theatre on Saturday, October 21, 2:00-6:00 pm and Sunday, October 22, 5:00-8:00 pm. Callbacks will be on Saturday, October 28 at 2:00 pm.

Non-AEA, Volunteer position, modest personal expense reimbursement provided.

Please note that our casting notices may include gender, ethnicity and ability descriptors, however we invite actors of ALL abilities, genders and racial identities to submit for any role that is exciting to them.

For questions or comments email director@masquers.org

Characters

Youths Presenting as Female

Wendla Bergman (Pop Soprano) Age: 18-20s A sweet, but naive young girl who is trapped in her family’s unwillingness to teach her about the adult world, but with every passing day, she grows bolder and more curious about her body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution.

Ilse Neumann (Pop Soprano/Belter) 18-20s Beautiful and mature looking. A misguided young girl who runs away from an abusive home to live in an artists’ colony. Kind and resilient while also broken and stuck in a cycle of abuse. There is a strong emotional connection between Ilse and Moritz; perhaps in another life they could have been happy together.

Martha Bessell (Alto/Belter) Age: 18-20s One of Wendla’s friends who is abused by her father, and she keeps the worst of the abuse to herself. She has a crush on Moritz, and is chastised by the other girls for it. Best friend of Anna and protective of her.

Anna (Mezzo-Soprano) 18-20s A kind school girl and Martha’s best friend. She is more aware of injustice than the other girls and recognizes that what happens to Wendla is wrong. Has a secret crush on Martha.

Thea (Alto) 18-20s A confrontational schoolgirl and Wendla’s best friend. Outwardly believes the adults but secretly questions the blind faith demanded of her. Does not want to rock the boat. Mistrusts Hanschen.

Understudy/Ensemble– Wendla/Ilse (Pop soprano/belter) 18-20s.

Youths Presenting as Male

Melchior Gabor (Bari-Tenor) 18-20s A headstrong, smart and charismatic schoolboy. He knows much more than the others because of what he reads in books and is able to see the corruption in society. His radical points of view about most things are correct but misunderstood. He falls in love with Wendla.

Moritz Stiefel (Tenor) 18-20s Melchior’s intense and nervous best friend. He has an overwhelming confusion relating to sexual feelings, which seems comedic at first, but quickly develops into a serious issue for him. The system has failed him. Highly sensitive and aware of his inability to fit into the system. Feels like a failure. One of the childhood four: Wendla, Melchior, Moritz and Ilse.

Hänschen Rilow (Tenor) 18-20s A cunning and attractive schoolboy, who manipulates the other students, especially Ernst, whom he seduces. Like Melchior, he also appears to be very intelligent, but uses his knowledge in favor of the system.

Ernst Röbel (Bari-Tenor) 18-20s A sweet and naive classmate. He is Hänschen’s love interest.

Georg Zirschnitz (Tenor) 18-20s A hormonal schoolboy who lusts after his older, busty piano teacher.

Otto Lämmermeier (Bari-Tenor) 18-20s Another schoolboy who has a disturbing dream about his mother.

Understudy/Ensemble– Melchior/Moritz- (Bari-Tenor) 18-20s.

Adults

NOTE: Each adult plays multiple roles and is on stage frequently during the show.

Woman– (Mezzo-Soprano) 40+, Multiple Roles.

Man (Bari-Tenor) 40+, Multiple roles.