Altoona Community Theatre

Into the Woods AUDITIONS
2023-12-03 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ACT Rehearsal Hall, 1213 12th St, Altoona, PA, 16601, United States
Into the Woods
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Book by JAMES LAPINE
Directed by Jonathan O’Harrow

Open Auditions: December 3 & 4 @ 6:00pm

Performances: May 2, 3 & 4 @ 7:30pm and May 5 @ 2:00pm

Open auditions for Altoona Community Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, will be held Sunday and Monday, December 3 and 4, beginning 6:00 p.m. in the Altoona Community Theatre Rehearsal Hall, 1213 12th Street, Downtown Altoona.
Auditions will consist of singing and cold readings from the script. Auditionees need only attend one night unless asked to attend callbacks, expected to be held December 7. Auditionees should be 14 years of age or older and prepare a 32-bar cut of a song (no longer than two minutes) from the show or from another musical. If singing a song from another show, please bring sheet music for the accompanist.
Actors must be available for all performances (May 2-5, 2024). Availability for rehearsals will be asked at auditions. Please be prepared to list all conflicts from auditions to performance dates. Rehearsals are expected to begin either the week of March 17 or March 24 with some possible work to begin as early as January.
If you are unable to attend general auditions, please contact the ACT Office at least a week in advance to discuss scheduling an alternative audition time.

About the Show
“Into the Woods” is a musical that weaves together various fairy tales, primarily centered around a Baker and his Wife, who long for a child. They embark on a quest to break a curse placed on them by a wicked Witch, requiring them to gather items from different fairy tales, such as Cinderella’s slipper, Little Red Riding Hood’s cape, Rapunzel’s hair, and Jack’s cow.
As the characters journey “into the woods” to fulfill their wishes, they encounter various challenges, moral dilemmas, and consequences of their actions. The musical explores themes of desire, responsibility, the consequences of one’s choices, and the idea that “wishes come true, not free.”
As the story progresses, the characters’ lives become increasingly entangled, leading to unexpected consequences and tragedies. Eventually, they must confront the consequences of their actions and work together to overcome an even greater threat.

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance)
There are 19 roles available, including the following:

Narrator/Mysterious Man
An intellectual and pleasant storyteller who helps to orchestrate the show and illustrate lessons to the audience. Mysterious Man: A mischievous vagrant and nosy meddler. He is a good-natured protector and observer. Vocal range: G2–E4.
Stagehands
Two performers who will serve as onstage stagehands throughout the show. The stagehands may sing in the large choral numbers, though singing experience is not necessary for these roles. Stagehands must have good stage presence and the ability to move well on stage. The stagehands will most likely play the roles of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty near the end of the show.
Cinderella
A young, earnest maiden who is constantly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Vocal range: G3–G5.
Jack
The feckless Giant killer who is “almost a man.” He is adventurous, naive, energetic, and bright-eyed. Vocal range: B2–G4.
Jack’s Mother
Browbeating and weary, Jack’s protective mother who is independent, bold, and strong-willed. Vocal range: Bb3–Gb5.
The Baker
A harried and insecure baker who is simple and loving, yet protective of his family. He wants his wife to be happy and is willing to do anything to ensure her happiness but refuses to let others fight his battles. Vocal range: Ab2–G4.
The Baker’s Wife
Determined and bright woman who wishes to be a mother. She leads a simple, yet satisfying life and is very low-maintenance yet proactive in her endeavors. Vocal range: F3–G5.
Cinderella’s Stepmother
The mean-spirited, demanding stepmother of Cinderella. Vocal range: A3–F#5.
Florinda
Cinderella’s stepsister who is black of heart. She follows in her mother’s footsteps of abusing Cinderella. Vocal range: C4–Ab5.
Lucinda
Cinderella’s stepsister who is black of heart. She follows in her mother’s footsteps of abusing Cinderella. Vocal range: C4–Ab5.
Little Red Ridinghood
A spoiled young girl who is strong-willed, quick-witted, fearless, yet youthful and naive. Vocal range: Bb3–F5.
Cinderella’s Father
A befuddled old man who is domineered by his wife and oblivious the mistreatment of his child.
The Witch
Sarcastic, ugly-then-gorgeous, obsessive protector of Rapunzel who is straightforward and aggressive. Vocal range: F3–G5.
Cinderella’s Mother/Granny/Giant Voiceover
Cinderella’s Mother: Deceased with her soul guarding and aiding her daughter from a tree. Granny: Little Red’s no-nonsense, vengeful grandmother. Giant Voiceover: the Giant’s wife is an angry and vengeful “monster.” She is seeking restitution for her loss. Vocal range: E4–F4.
Rapunzel
A loopy-but-lovely maiden who is sheltered by the Witch and terribly lonely. She yearns to experience the world. Vocal range: B3–A5.
Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf
Prince: Vain and gorgeous, he is a disloyal lover who is currently searching for the next new, exciting thing. Wolf: Hungry and insatiable hunter who takes advantage of the weak by misleading and captivating his prey. Vocal range: Bb2–Gb4 (Note: the Wolf may double for either prince or the Steward).
Rapunzel’s Prince/Wolf
Just as vain and gorgeous as his Prince brother, he is always chasing the newest, most exiting endeavor. Vocal range: Bb2–Gb4 (Note: the Wolf may double for either prince or the Steward).
The Steward/Wolf
Right-hand man to Cinderella’s Prince. Vocal range: Bb2–Gb4 (Note: the Wolf may double for either prince or the Steward).
All roles are available. No prior theatrical or ACT experience is required.
Roles are open to racially diverse and gender-inclusive casting for actors of all physical and neurological abilities. Our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender nonconforming, genderqueer, transgender, and nonbinary actors to select the roles they most identify with.

Questions can be directed to the ACT Office at 814-943-4357 or act@altoonacommunitytheatre.com.
