The Sound of Music Adult Characters & Descriptions:
MARIA RAINER: A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, Maria is young, free-spirited, warm, gentle, and kind, with much determination.
Vocal Range: Soprano
Singing: Many songs
Dialogue: A lot
Dancing: A lot
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of MARIA in one of these scenes: "Maria & the Captain" or "Maria & Mother Abbess."
CAPTAIN GEORG von TRAPP: A retired Austrian naval Captain, the Captain is polished and very military in the way that he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife. Underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.
Vocal Range: Baritone
Singing: Several songs
Dialogue: A lot
Dancing: One waltz. Must move well.
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of CAPTAIN in the scene: "Maria & the Captain.”
MAX DETWEILER: Charming and vital, Max is a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life. He is a loyal friend to the von Trapp family but also thinks that it’s important to play both sides of the fence when it comes to the approaching Nazi invasion.
Vocal Range: Baritone
Singing: One song
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Minimal
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of MAX in the scene: "Elsa & Max”
ELSA SCHRAEDER: A baroness of taste and elegance, Elsa is sophisticated, dignified, and mature.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: One song
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Minimal
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of ELSA in the scene: "Elsa & Max”
MOTHER ABBESS: Motherly and understanding, the Mother Abbess is strong and authoritative but kind.
Vocal Range: Soprano
Singing: Several songs
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of MOTHER ABBESS in the scene: "Maria & Mother Abbess"
The Sound of Music Featured Adult Characters & Descriptions:
SISTER BERTHE: The Mistress of Novices, Sister Berthe is prudish and straight-laced with a quick tongue. She is less tolerant than other nuns.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Some
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of ELSA in the scene: "Elsa & Max”
SISTER MARGARETTA: The Mistress of Postulants, Sister Margaretta is very kind, understanding, and concerned.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Some
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of MOTHER ABBESS in the scene: "Maria & Mother Abbess"
SISTER SOPHIA: Neither demanding nor critical, Sister Sophia sticks with the rules.
Vocal Range: Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Some
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of MOTHER ABBESS in the scene: “Maria & Mother Abbess”
FRANZ: The von Trapp butler is rather formal but not without spirit. He is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.
Singing: Non-Singing
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of FRANZ in the scene “Franz & Frau Schmidt.”
FRAU SCHMIDT: The housekeeper for the von Trapps, Frau Schmidt is stoic with very little personality. She does her job efficiently but without affection. She is strong and somewhat dominating.
Singing: Non-Singing
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of FRAU SCHMIDT in the scene “Franz & Frau Schmidt.”
HERR ZELLER: Stern and unsmiling, Herr Zeller is a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
Singing: Non-Singing
Dialogue: Some
Dancing: None
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of FRANZ in the scene: "Franz & Frau Schmidt"
ROLF GRUBER: Suitor to Liesl, Rolf is a telegram delivery boy and later becomes a Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, he is somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
Vocal Range: Tenor
Singing: One song
Dialogue: Some
Dancing: Some
If you would like to audition for these roles, please read the part of ROLF in the scene: "Liesl & Rolf”
Other Adults will be Female & Male Ensemble: Nuns, Salzburg citizens, Festival contestants, Nazi soldiers, or Georg von Trapp’s friends
Singing: A lot
Dancing: Some
The Von Trapp Children (Actresses age 8 and up)
LIESL von TRAPP: The oldest child, Liesl is 16 years old. She is blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings. Adult actresses who can pass for 16 are welcome to audition for this role.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of LIESL in the scene: "Liesl & Rolf”
IMPORTANT: If you are auditioning for Liesl, you must perform BOTH the Adult Dance AND the Children's Dance at your audition.
FRIEDRICH von TRAPP: Age 14, Friedrich has a tough exterior and is very much trying to be the man of the family. Adult actresses who can pass for 14 are welcome to audition for this role.
Vocal Range: Tenor
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”
LOUISA von TRAPP: Age 13, Louisa has a rebellious attitude and likes to play tricks.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”
KURT von TRAPP: Age 10, Kurt is gentle and mischievous.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano with a high falsetto
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”
BRIGITTA von TRAPP: Age 9, Brigitta is smart and reads a lot. She is extremely observant.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”
MARTA von TRAPP: Age 7, Marta is very sweet and gentle.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”
GRETL von TRAPP: Age 5, Gretl is very cute!
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Singing: Several songs with harmony
Dialogue: Quite a bit
Dancing: Quite a bit
If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of one of the Von Trapp children in the scene: “Von Trapp Children’s Scene”