Matilda the Musical
Book by Dennis Kelly
Based on the book by Roald Dahl
Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Peter Wolfe
Audition Schedule
All auditions are at Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds
Vocal Auditions for All Children. (All Auditioners under age 19). Saturday, May 6, 2023. 9:00am-Noon. Check-in at 8:30 am.
Vocal Auditions for Adults. (All Auditioners over age 19). Saturday, May 6, 2023.
1:00-4:00 pm. Check-in at 12:30 pm.
Dance Auditions for All Auditioners. Monday, May 8, 2023. 7:00-9:00 pm.
Check-in at 6:30pm.
Reading Auditions for All Auditioners. Tuesday, May 9, 2023. 7:00-9:00 pm.
Check-in at 6:30.
Call-Back Auditions. (By Invitation). Wednesday, May 10, 2023. 7:00-9:00 pm.
Check-in at 6:30.
Cast Meeting and Read-Through (For those cast) Tuesday, May 23, 2023
7:00-9:00pm
Auditions are open to the general public. No roles have been cast in advance. Some roles may be cast with actors of ANY ethnicity and gender. All actors are required to be at least 8 years old at the time of auditions.There is no fee to audition for this non-paid production.
Final cast list will be posted on the IT website, the IT Cast Facebook page, and in a Matilda E-mail group mailing on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Rehearsal Schedule
Read-Through and Sing-Through. Tuesday, May 23, 2023. 7:00pm-9:00pm
Rehearsals 2 to 3 times per week, June-August 2023
Rehearsals 3 to 4 times per week (Occasionally 5 times per week),
September- November 2023
Performance Dates
November 17, 2023-December 23, 2023. 18 Performances. Curtain time for evening shows
is 7:00pm. Curtain time for Matinees is 2:00pm
Synopsis
Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl with amazing powers. The daughter of abusive parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly and in creating her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda also must face a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in Crunchem Hall’s motto: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots.” She finds companionship in her teacher, Miss Honey, though well-intentioned, is shy and fragile. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson — that even though life can be hard, “nobody but me is gonna change my story” so “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”
Cast Requirements
Adult Women: 6 Adult Males: 8 Boys: 7 Girls: 8
CHILDREN ROLES
Matilda Wormwood – (THIS ROLE MAY BE DOUBLE CAST). An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for learning that cannot be quenched. Enigmatic, serious, intense. Instinctive acting ability. Vocal health and clarity. Stage Age: 8 to 13.
Bruce, Matilda’s classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Strong Vocally with good comedy timing. Stage Age: 8 to 13
Lavender, Matilda’s classmate and friend. Loud and kooky – likes to have fun – big personality. Stage Age: 8 to 13
Named Younger Kids (3 boys, 3 girls). Amanda, Nigel, Eric, Alice, Hortensia, Tommy). All have lines and brief vocal solos. Stage Age: 8 to 14
Children Ensemble (3 Girls and 3 Boys) Stage Age: 10-19. Seeking male and female children, teens, or young adults experienced in hip hop, and jazz dance styles
ADULT ROLES
Miss Agatha Trunchbull The tyrannical headmistress at Crunchem Hall Primary School who despises children. Miss Honey’s aunt. Once a famous athlete, she is described as a “gigantic Holy terror”, a “fierce tyrannical monster” who “marches like a storm trooper with long arms swinging” with an “aura of menace”. Strong Character actor with an imposing presence. Gender: ANY (Professional Productions have used Men in this Role, we are looking for the best Person for the Role, Man or Woman the character will present as a female) Stage Age: 30 to 55. Physicality: 6’ of more is a plus but not a requirement. A physical character actor – must be physically fit and agile. We will be asking those that audition for this role to pantomime an Olympic Hammer throw
Miss Honey, Matilda’s kind-hearted teacher. She is tired of living in fear under Miss Trunchbull. A mild, quiet person who never raises her voice and seldom seems to smile –yet possesses the rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth that is almost tangible. Stage Age: 25 to 40
Mr. Wormwood, Matilda’s uncaring father. A slimy, greedy used-car salesman. Strong Character actor with a strong Over the top personality. He is not a nice person, but not in an angry way, he is sort of an ignorant clown type. Stage Age: 25 to 45
Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda’s self-absorbed, air-headed, negligent mother and an amateur ballroom dancer. She is obsessed with her dancing partner, Rudolpho, and her looks. Like her husband she thinks very little of Matilda’s unique abilities and often berates her. She is as loud in her makeup and dress sense as she is in her voice – must have strong comedy timing. Stage Age: 25 to 45
Michael Wormwood Matilda’s older brother. He is not very bright but is favoured by his parents. Needs good deadpan comedy timing and the ability to find a character during a lot of stage time with few words. No singing Required for this Role. Stage Age: 13 to 16
Mrs. Wormwood’s Doctor when she goes into labor with Matilda. Male or Female. Stage Age: ANY.
Mrs. Phelps Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She is a hippy or new-age type with evident inner peace. No Solo Singing Required for this role. Stage Age: Middle-aged
The Escapologist Read by either Mr. Wormwood or Doctor reading a character in a story Matilda tells Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. Stage Age: ANY
Either Mr. Wormwood or Doctor Reading The Acrobat a character in a story Matilda tells Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. Stage Age: ANY
Either Mr. Wormwood or Doctor Reading Children’s Entertainer, party entertainer at the start of the show. Stage Age: ANY
Rudolpho Mrs. Wormwood’s ballroom dance partner. Should be fit and athletic. Must be a character actor with strong comedic timing and a flair for physical comedy. Strong Dancer with Ballroom Dancing ability. Also needs a dramatic Cockney Accent. Stage Age: 25 to 45
Russian Mafia Boss who is physically intimidating, with an accomplished Russian accent. Will be asked to do a Russian Accent if auditioning for this specific role. No singing required for this role. Stage Age: ANY
4 Parents. Stage Age: ANY. (Ensemble singing)
Cook. Male or Female. Stage Age: ANY. (Ensemble singing)
3 Russian Henchmen. Male. No singing required for these roles. Stage Age: ANY
Audition Preparation
- Vocal Music. Select, prepare and perform 1 minute (16 measures) of any song in the style of the show or any song from the show. Be prepared to act it as well. No accompanist is available for this audition. Please bring a personal electronic device with a recorded track. Tracks will be played through the theater’s sound system. Recorded tracks should be music only, and not include backing vocals.
- Hands-Free. We would prefer you NOT perform with sheet music or a phone in your hand—we’d rather see that you have memorized your music.
- Dance.There is a dance portion of this audition that will assess your movement level. Please wear appropriate clothing for dance/movement, so that we can see your best physicality. All auditioners will learn a short dance combination. Not all roles require strong dancers. We’re looking for the strongest storytellers, not necessarily the best technical dancers. Please wear appropriate clothing for dance/movement that allows us to see your movement.
- Reading Auditions. Reading auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and improvisation exercises.
- Personal Photo and Contact Information. Please bring a personal photo to include with your audition form. Elaborate professional head shots and resumes are not required. Please have your email and text message contact information available as you check in for the auditions.
- Perusal Scripts. Perusal scripts will be available for check out from the Imagination Theater Ticket Office beginning March 1, 2023.
? ? ?
— For questions: Contact the Director at pwolfe615@gmail.com —
Imagination Theater Mission Statement:
To tell good stories well in an atmosphere of trust, respect, personal growth, and challenge.