Auditions for Once Upon A Matress
- Encore Staff Writer
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
COMPANY NAME
Village Players of Birmingham
UNION
Non-Union
COMPENSATION
Unpaid: Community Production
JOB DESCRIPTION
Audition for community theatre production of the musical Once Upon A Mattress. We are a volunteer organization and there is no payment for performing.
In the delightful musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea, we meet free-spirited Princess Winnifred as she attempts to win the hand of Prince Dauntless, despite the obstacles created by his mother, the tyrannical Queen. Featuring music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer, this whimsical tale of laughter and love is sure to entertain the whole family as everyone lives happily ever after.
Audition Workshop
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10 am
Location: Nativity Episcopal Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Join us for a non-mandatory audition workshop where we’ll review select music and dance movements. The dance portion will focus on simple combinations that may be included in auditions. All skill levels are encouraged to attend—this is a great opportunity to get comfortable with the show’s choreographic style.
Audition Dates
Saturday, October 4, 2025: Registration at 10:30 am, Auditions at 11 am
Sunday, October 5, 2025: Registration at 5:30 pm, Auditions & Callbacks 6 pm
In-person auditions will be held at Birmingham Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009
In-person auditions are highly encouraged. If you are unable to attend auditions in person, please contact Jay Kaplan, Director, for alternative arrangements at jay.kaplan@birminghamvillageplayers.com
Performance Dates & Times Performance Dates: January 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 2026
Performance Times: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays @ 7:30 pm*; Sundays @ 2 pm.
*Please note that BVP has updated our start time for all main stage productions from 8 p.m. to 7:30 pm., effective September 2025.
Production Team
Director: Jay Kaplan
Music Director: Curtis Rowe
Assistant Director: Santi Barker
Choreographer: Shalayla Williams
Producer: Susie Gardiner
Character Descriptions
PRINCESS WINNIFRED: Female (20’s – 40’s), Mezzo-Soprano. Vocal Range – Belt (A3 to D♭ 5)
Character description: She is not the “classical” princess in any sense of the word. She can swim moats, lift weights and she prefers the swamps of home to a fancy castle. She is physically energetic, adventurous, friendly, goofy, independent and optimistic. Good at physical comedy is a plus.
Audition song: “Shy”
Audition song for Callbacks: “Happily Ever After”
Audition reading: Page 13 before “Shy” number. Page 35 with Dauntless.
PRINCE DAUNTLESS: Male (20’s – 40’s). Vocal Range – Baritone (A3 to E4)
Character description: Still a “mama’s boy,” but it is evident that he is ready to move on. He is child-like, naïve, with a likeable sense of innocence. He adores Winnifred and is in awe of her every step.
Audition song: “Man To Man Talk”
Audition reading: Page 35- with Princess Winifred
QUEEN AGGRAVAIN: Female (40’s – 60’s). Vocal Range – Alto (A3 to B4)
Character description: Domineering, controlling and over-protective of her only son, Dauntless. She is a strong character with a dramatic stage presence. For all her manipulating characteristics she should be played comically.
Audition song: “Sensitivity”
Audition reading: Bottom of page 9- Mamalogue
KING SEXTIMUS THE SILENT: Male (50s–60s).
Character description: He is silent, due to a curse, but you always know what he is thinking. He is expressive, mischievous, wise and playful with strong facial and physical comedy. Strong at pantomime a plus. Although he doesn’t sing, be prepared to gesture and display movement to song “Man to Man Talk”.
LADY LARKEN: Female (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Soprano (D♭ 4 to A♭ 5)
Character description: She is graceful, charming and in love with Sir Harry. She is very eager for Dauntless to marry so she can wed Harry before her little bundle arrives. She is eager to please and would never cause embarrassment to her love, Sir Harry.
Audition song: “In A Little While”
Audition reading: Bottom of page 6 to bottom of page 7- with Sir Harry.
SIR HARRY: Male (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (C3 to G4)
Character description: He is a handsome and a manly knight, but a bit of a “stuffed shirt.” He may one day become the Prime Minister, if he can find a Princess to marry Dauntless, so he can wed Lady Larkin. He is chivalrous, brave, determined and a bit taken with himself (i.e. vain).
Audition song: “In A Little While”
Audition reading: Bottom of page 6 to bottom of page 7 with Lady Larkin.
JESTER: Male (20’s – 50’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D♭ 3 to A♭ 4)
Character description: Dancer (skilled with tap/soft shoe).Flexible, agile and full of energy. Has a hidden passion for show business and the “good old days”. His loyalties lie with his friends, the King & the Minstrel.
Audition song: “Very Soft Shoes”
Audition reading: Page 51-53 (Minstrel, Wizard and Jester)
MINSTREL: Male (20’s – 40’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D3 to A♭ 4)
Character description: All knowing and “worldly”. Has an air of confidence and enjoys telling the real story to the audience. He is likable and cunning when need be.
Audition song: “Many Moons Ago“
Audition reading: Page 51-53 (Minstrel, Wizard and Jester)
WIZARD: Male (40’s – 60’s). Baritone (low: A2).
Character description: The Queen’s loyal confidante. He is able to do several magic tricks. He possesses a sense of buffoonery and showmanship.
Audition song: Wizard sings very little in show and can sing a cut from “Opening for a Princess” or one of the other character songs listed in the audition notice.
Audition reading: Page 51-53: (Minstrel, Wizard and Jester)
ENSEMBLE: 6(male) & 6(female), (20’s-60’s)
All vocal ranges: Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo, Alto
Multiple featured roles: Sir Studley, Sir Luce, Sir Harry, Kitchen Wench, Emily, Lady Mabelle, Nightingale, Ladies-in-Waiting, Knights, Soldiers, Servants, Musicians, etc. Must Sing and Dance.
Audition song: “Opening For A Princess” or one of the character audition songs listed in the audition notice.
CONTRACT START DATE
October 7th, 2025
CONTRACT END DATE
January 25th, 2026
HOW TO APPLY
In-Person Audition Dates:
Saturday, October 4, 2025: Registration at 10:30 am, Auditions at 11 am
Sunday, October 5, 2025: Registration at 5:30 pm, Auditions & Callbacks 6 pm
In-person auditions will be held at Birmingham Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009
In-person auditions are highly encouraged. If you are unable to attend auditions in person, please contact Jay Kaplan, Director, for alternative arrangements at jay.kaplan@birminghamvillageplayers.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions? Please contact jay.kaplan@birminghamvillageplayers.com
