Auditions for “Matilda the Musical” will be held Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th in the ACT Rehearsal Hall (1213 12th Street, Downtown Altoona).
Audition times are split between children and young adults/adults and held at different times on Saturday and Sunday. Please read below for details.
Matilda the Musical performs September 21st-24th, 2023. Actors must be available for all performances. Availability for rehearsals will be asked at auditions. Please be prepared to list all conflicts from auditions to performance dates.
Audition Information:
General auditions will be held in separate sessions each day for children and adults:
- Saturday, June 24th
- Auditionees 14 and under will audition from 12-1:30 pm
- Auditionees 15 and over will audition from 2-3:30 pm
- Sunday June 25th
- Auditionees 14 and under will audition from 5-6:30 pm
- Auditionees 15 and over will audition from 7-8:30 pm
Please arrive 10 minutes early to your audition slot, if possible. The audition holding room will be in the ACT Rehearsal Hall with vocal auditions taking place in the ACT Office (closed auditions). Please enter the ACT building through the back door off the 13th Ave Parking Lot (Behind Tom & Joes).
- All auditionees should prepare a 24-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the Matilda the Musical. Please do not prepare a song directly from Matilda the Musical. The song should reflect your vocal abilities and, preferably, the character(s) you are most interested in. Auditionees should provide printed sheet music in the correct key for the piano accompanist. If you do not have a song prepared, you will be taught a short song to audition with.
- Auditions will consist of a short movement combination. No specialty dance clothing or preparation is required. After all vocal auditions in your audition slot have concluded, all auditionees will be taught the movement combination in the ACT Rehearsal space.
- Callbacks will be held as needed the evening of June 27 at Blair Dance Academy, 2914 W. Chestnut Ave. Altoona, PA 16601
- Callbacks may consist of a combination of vocal selections, cold readings, and dance combinations. You will be notified if you are needed at callbacks and given a scheduled time. Not receiving a callback does not mean you have not been cast. You may let the director know at general auditions if you are unable to attend callbacks.
If you are unable to attend general auditions, please contact the ACT Office at least one week prior to auditions to discuss scheduling an alternative time with the Director.
About the Show:
Based on the twisted genius of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, this musical follows Matilda Wormwood, an extraordinary girl with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind whose talents are constantly belittled by her cruel parents and her hostile headmistress, the outrageous and wicked Miss Trunchbull. Reclusive, but with an ever-growing imagination and with a caring protector in her teacher Miss Honey, Matilda dreams of a better life, daring to take a stand against unjust forces and to grasp her destiny in her own, tiny hands.
With a high stakes battle between good and evil along with high energy music and dancing, “Matilda” will rock the Mishler Theatre.
Cast of Characters:
All roles are available. No prior theatrical or ACT experience is required. Roles are open to diverse and gender-inclusive casting. Age ranges are suggestions. Please audition for any role that interests you.
Matilda Wormwood (Age 7-12, A3-D5): An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for knowledge that cannot be quenched. Actor must be a strong vocalist and have the ability to learn many lines. (‘Miracle,’ ‘Naughty,’ ‘Story 1-4,’ ‘Quiet’)
Agatha Trunchbull (Age 30-60, A2-G4): The tyrannical, child-despising headmistress at Matilda’s school. Actor must be a skilled mover. (‘’The Hammer,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion’)
Miss Honey (Age 25-45, F3-D5): Matilda’s kindhearted teacher. She is tired of living in fear under Miss Trunchbull. (‘Pathetic,’ ‘This Little Girl,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘My House’)
Mr. Wormwood (Age 30-45, D3-A4): Matilda’s uncaring father. A slimy, greedy used-car salesman. (‘Miracle,’ ‘Telly’)
Mrs. Wormwood (Age 30-45, A3-F5): Matilda’s self-absorbed, negligent mother and an amateur ballroom dancer. Actor must be a strong vocalist and dancer. (‘Miracle,’ ‘Loud’)
Michael Wormwood (Age 12-16): Matilda’s older brother. He is not very bright and is favored by the Wormwood parents. (‘Telly’)
Bruce (Age 7-13, C4-E5): Matilda’s classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Actor must be a strong vocalist and mover. (‘Miracle,’ ‘School Song,’ ‘The Hammer,’ ‘The Chokey Chant,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion,’ ‘Revolting Children’)
Lavender (Age 7-13): Matilda’s classmate and friend. (‘Miracle,’ ‘School Song,’ ‘The Hammer,’ ‘The Chokey Chant,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion,’ ‘Revolting Children’)
Mrs. Phelps (Age 25-65): A nice librarian who is one of the few adults who does not treat Matilda with disrespect. Mrs. Phelps is a major supporter of Matilda’s curiosity and opens up Matilda’s imagination through their mutual love of stories. (‘Story 1-4’)
The Escapologist (Age 25-45, C3-E4): A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps. This character comes to life in their imagination. Actor must be a strong singer. (‘Story 1-4’)
The Acrobat (Age 25-45, D4-A4): A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps. This character comes to life in their imagination. (‘Story 1-4’)
Rudolpho (Age 20-30, D#3-A4): Mrs. Wormwood’s ballroom dance partner. Actor must be a strong dancer. (‘Loud’)
Doctor (Age 25-45, C3-A4): Mrs. Wormwood’s doctor when she goes into labor with Matilda. Actor must be a strong singer. (‘Miracle’)
Children’s Ensemble (Age 7-14): Will act as Matilda’s classmates. Actors must be strong vocalists and movers. (‘Miracle,’ ‘School Song,’ ‘The Hammer,’ ‘The Chokey Chant,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion,’ ‘Revolting Children’)
Teen Ensemble (Age 15-22): Will act as the older students at Matilda’s school who have been around the block and know what to expect from Miss Trunchbull. Actors must be strong vocalists and proficient or advanced dancers. (‘Miracle,’ ‘School Song,’ ‘The Hammer,’ ‘The Chokey Chant,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion,’ ‘Revolting Children’)
Adult Ensemble (Age 23+): Will act as parents to the children in several scenes and play various other ensemble roles. Adult Ensemble members will act as ‘pit singers’ when not physically onstage. Actors must be strong vocalists and preferably movers. (‘Miracle,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘When I Grow Up,’ ‘The Smell of Rebellion,’ ‘Revolting Children’)