St Mark's Players

St. Mark’s Players pleased to present auditions for 

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SPRING AWAKENING

Music by Duncan Sheik and Book & Lyrics by Stephen Sater

Based on the play by Frank Wedekind

Directed by Paul Di Salvo, musical direction by Aimee Faulkner, and choreography by Nathan Nichipor. 

If you are interested in auditioning, please carefully read the entirety of this page. 
If you have any questions about auditions or rehearsals, or need to change or cancel your audition sign up, please contact the production team at smpsa2026production@gmail.com.

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About the Show:

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll.

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It is Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body and wonders aloud where babies come from... until Mama tells her to shut it and put on a proper dress. Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy, Moritz – a boy so traumatized by puberty that he can't concentrate on anything... not that the Headmaster cares. One afternoon, in a private place in the woods, Melchior and Wendla meet by accident and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt. This celebration of rebellion features a pop rock score to tell the story of late nineteenth century German students as they navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable Spring Awakening.

Before proceeding further, please take a moment to review the following Content Advisory located here.

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Auditions:

Auditions are open to actors aged 18 and older. Auditions will be during several 90 minute slots on:

• Saturday, January 24 from 10am-5pm,

• Sunday, January 25 from 6:30-10:30pm, and 

• Tuesday, January 27 from 6-10pm 

 

Auditions will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. No video auditions will be accepted.

 

During the audition timeslot, actors will sing a pre-prepared audition song and learn/perform a short, choreographed number. Please prepare 16-32 bars (less than one minute) of a modern Broadway pop/rock showtune not from Spring Awakening (e.g., Rent, Six, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, American Idiot, Next to Normal). An accompanist will be provided—no acapella auditions accepted. All actors should bring sheet music for an accompanist to auditions. Wear comfortable clothing (pants suggested) and shoes that allow for ease of movement for dance auditions. 

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Fill out the audition form and sign up for an audition timeslot here.

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Note: For actors only auditioning for the roles of “Adult Woman” and “Adult Man” (i.e., not auditioning for the ‘teenager’ roles), only a music audition (no dance audition) will be required. It is recommended to sign up for a slot that starts with the music audition.

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Callbacks:
Callbacks, if needed, will be held on Thursday, January 29 from 6-10pm by invitation only. Additional singing and reading of sides will occur at callbacks. Invited actors must attend callbacks in person on January 29 in order to be considered for casting.  No video or virtual submissions will be considered. 

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Rehearsals:
All rehearsals will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. 

• Rehearsals will consist of music, dance, and/or acting, generally from 6:30-10pm on Sunday-Thursday and late morning/afternoon on Saturdays. Rehearsals will be 2-4 times a week, but not everyone will be called for every rehearsal. 

• A readthrough will be the week of February 16; please tentatively mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 17.

• Rehearsals will begin the week of February 23.

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Tech and Performances:

All shows will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

• Tech will begin on Sunday, April 26 and run daily through Thursday, April 30.

• Shows are May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 in the evening and on May 9 in the afternoon.

• St. Mark’s Players is a participatory, all-volunteer, community theatre. All roles are unpaid.

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Character Breakdowns

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All roles are open. The character descriptions below are suggested and all roles have flexibility in casting with respect to gender, age, and race/ethnicity. St Mark’s Players is committed to provide more relevant programming, develop stronger educational programs, provide sensitivity training to its staff, and open countless equal opportunities for all people of color, race, age, disability, gender identity, and belief.

 

Some notes about possible intimacy/themes that the character specifically deals with are noted. This production will utilize an intimacy coordinator who will work with actors to find ways to express these moments on stage within the actors’ comfort zone.

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Wendla

Character Description: Innocent. With every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her and her changing body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution. Explores her newly-found sexuality with Melchior.

Gender: Female

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Intimacy: Simulated heterosexual sex, sexual assault (recipient), failed abortion, simulated whipping (recipient), heterosexual kissing

 

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Melchior

Character Description: A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society's rules. An atheist and radical student. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges.

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: B4

Vocal range bottom: G2

Intimacy: Simulated heterosexual sex, sexual assault (aggressor), suicidal thoughts, simulated whipping (aggressor), heterosexual kissing, stage fighting

 

 

Martha

Character Description: A schoolgirl who faces constant physical abuse from her father. She harbors a secret crush towards Moritz.

Gender: Female
Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Intimacy: Lead singer in song (“The Dark I Know Well”) about incest/sexual abuse (recipient) 

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Moritz

Character Description: Melchior's best friend, a troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. His haunting sexual dreams and academic failures eventually drive him to suicidal thoughts.

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: C3

Intimacy: Suicidal thoughts, simulated suicide

 

 

Thea

Character Description: Wendla's best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure.

Gender: Female

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

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Hanschen/Rupert

Character Description: A rather narcissistic schoolmate of Melchior's. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst.

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Intimacy: homosexual kissing, prolonged simulated masturbation, stage fighting

 

 

Anna

Character Description: A German schoolgirl and Martha's best friend. Optimistic and a bit naive, she has a difficult time understanding Martha's trials.

Gender: Female

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: E3

 

 

Ernst/Reinhold

Character Description: A schoolmate of Melchior's. Naive and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen.

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Intimacy: homosexual kissing, simulated masturbation, stage fighting

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Ilse

Character Description: Martha's sister, who was also abused and has run away from home to live in an artists' colony. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life.

Gender: Female

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: E3

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Georg/Dieter

Character Description: A clumsy schoolmate of Melchoir's. He is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. 

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Intimacy: simulated masturbation, heterosexual kissing/groping, stage fighting

Skill: ability to play piano is a bonus (not required)

 

 

Otto/Ulbrecht

Character Description: A classmate of Melchior's. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate.

Gender: Male

Age: 14 (actor 18-29)

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Intimacy: simulated masturbation, stage fighting

 

 

Adult Woman (Frau Bergman, Fraulein Knuppeldick, Fraulein Grossebustenhalter, Frau Gabor, Frau Bessell)

Character Description: Plays a variety of rigid adult roles, including multiple mothers, a hateful principal, a sexual piano teacher, and a stern teacher. Role has no dance (but general ability to move to music) and minimal singing (background vocals and finale ensemble song). 

Gender: Female

Age: 35-50

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: D3

Intimacy: heterosexual kissing/groping with a teenager (actor aged 18+)

Skill: ability to play piano is a bonus (not required)

 

 

Adult Man (Herr Sonnenstitch, Headmaster Knochenbruch, Herr Neumann, Herr Rilow, Herr Steifel, Father Kaulbach, Doctor Von Brausepulver, Herr Gabor, Schmidt)

Character Description: Plays a variety of rigid adult roles, including multiple fathers, a hateful headmaster, a preacher, a stern teacher, and a doctor. Role has no dance (but general ability to move to music) and minimal singing (background vocals and finale ensemble song). 

Gender: Male

Age: 35-50      

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: D3