Announcing auditions for Spring Awakening

STARS Performing Arts Company proudly announces auditions for our annual summer musical, Spring Awakening. We are seeking students ages 13-18 for performances at the James Lee Community Center this August. 

This production will be utilizing a set of MTI approved changes to the script which make the show more suitable to be performed by young actors.

STARS Performing Arts produces high-caliber musical theatre productions for advanced young actors. The rehearsal process will be fast-paced and professional

Dates:

Auditions - June 12th, 6-9pm at Katherine Johnson Middle School

Rehearsals - Late July/August 2025 (to be built around vacation schedules of the cast)

Tech - August 11-14

Shows - August 15th and 16th

Cast Fee- $75 (scholarships available)

Please be honest about conflicts- we are happy to work around vacations, summer intensives, and other conflicts for actors who are dependable and professional. 

Virtual auditions will be accepted for this production upon request. Please contact sierra@theatrestars.org for more information.

What to prepare:

Please register for an audition slot and complete the audition form linked here:

Auditionees should prepare 32 bars (or 1 minute) of a musical theatre or alternative rock song in the style of the show (please no songs from Spring Awakening). Please bring a track, an accompanist will not be provided. Be prepared to learn a short dance combination. Callbacks will be by invitation only and will include reading from the script and singing from the show. 

Content Warning:

Please note that Spring Awakening contains mature themes and content. All cast members will need signed permission slips prior to attending the first rehearsal. Please discuss the content with your guardian prior to auditioning. The following topics are discussed or implied in this show:

• Sexual content

• Suicide and self-harm

• Child Abuse

• Teen Pregnancy

• Explicit Language

• Death

While a more mature show, Spring Awakening is a strikingly relevant story about teenagers and the danger of forced innocence. We hope this show is an opportunity for students to feel empowered by their work. Please discuss the nature of the show before auditions and decide what is best for your family.

STARS Performing Arts is committed to creating a safe environment for the cast of this show. Professional intimacy coordination will be provided.

STARS’ production of Spring Awakening will utilize a set of MTI approved script changes meant to be more suitable for young actors while keeping the integrity and heart of the story. Please reach out to sierra@theatrestars.org with any specific questions regarding these edits and how our production will be staged.

Only actors age 16+ will be considered for roles that require stage intimacy (kissing). Actors can share their comfort level regarding the various elements of the show on their audition form.

Recommended Reading on Spring Awakening and the importance of this content for teenagers:

On Stage Blog

Drama High by Michael Sokolove

The Lancet

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Girls:

Wendla Bergman (Pop Soprano) 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. This role requires stage intimacy.

Ilse Neumann (Pop Soprano/Belter) A misguided young girl who runs away from 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.

Martha Bessell (Alto/Belter) One of Wendla’s friends who is abused by her father, and keeps the worst of the abuse to herself. She has a crush on Moritz, and is chastised by the other girls for it.

Anna (Mezzo-Soprano) 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. 

Thea (Alto) A confrontational school girl 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.

Ensemble Girls (Various Voice Parts) 

Boys:

Melchior Gabor (Bari-Tenor) A headstrong, smart and charismatic schoolboy. He knows much more than the others 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. This role requires stage intimacy.

Moritz Stiefel (Tenor)  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. Highly sensitive and aware of his inability to fit into the system.

Hänschen Rilow (Tenor) 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. This role requires stage intimacy.

Ernst Röbel (Bari-Tenor)  A sweet and naive classmate. He is Hänschen’s love interest. This role requires stage intimacy.

Georg Zirschnitz (Tenor) A schoolboy and friend of Melchoir.

Otto Lämmermeier (Bari-Tenor) A schoolboy and friend of Melchoir.

Ensemble Boys (Various Voice Parts) 

Adults:

NOTE: Each adult plays multiple roles.

Adult Woman (Mezzo-Soprano) - Frau Bergman: Wendla’s mother, Fräulein Knuppeldick: an associate of the Headmaster, Fanny Gabor: Melchior’s mother

Adult Man (Bari-Tenor) -Herr Sonnenstich: a schoolteacher, Herr Stiefel: Moritz’s father, Headmaster Knochenbruch: the boys’ school headmaster