Act-1

CASTING NOTE:

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At ACT-1, we strive for “color-blind” or “gender-neutral” casting. 

We strive to be inviting and welcoming, to actively and radically make space for all the different ways that actors exist in this world.

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However, as you get to know the show and the music, please pay attention to the characters' vocal ranges and required skill sets. We want you to audition for whatever roles you are attracted to, but please choose roles that best reflect your skill set and your natural vocal range. 

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Note: Sometimes we can slightly adjust the key of a character's solo song, but we do prefer to keep accompaniment close to the original key, as much as possible.  Please read the character descriptions and requirements below!​​

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ROLES/CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS​

A NOTE ON ACCENTS: Auditioners will be asked to read with a British accent (of any class/region). We are also interested in hearing Italian and Russian dialects for Rudolpho and the Russian Mafia. 

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MATILDA WORMWOOD

Vocal range: A3- D5

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Child

Character's Ethnicity: Any

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. Sincere and adorable. Likable and charismatic, never annoying or pretentious. Honest, but with a prankster streak and a strong sense of justice.

SKILLS:  VERY STRONG acting ability, clear voice with perfect pitch and clarity. She carries the entire show.​​ Prefer a smaller actress but will go with the right person for the role. 

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MR. WORMWOOD

Vocal range: D3 - A4

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda's uncaring father. A slimy, greedy used-car salesman. A crook. 

SKILLS:  Strong comedic acting needed. A weasley or ratty essence and voice. ​Unintentionally hilarious. Improv and movement skills are needed for this physical characterization.

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MRS. WORMWOOD

Vocal range: A3 - F5

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda and Michael's self-absorbed, negligent mother, who is obsessed with amateur ballroom dancing.

SKILLS:  Strong singer & dancer & comedic actress.

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MICHAEL WORMWOOD

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Child

Character's Ethnicity: Any

​Matilda's older brother who is favored by their parents, although he is not very bright. 

SKILLS:  Needs good deadpan comedy and the ability to find a character during a lot of stage time with few words. 

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RUDOLPHO

Vocal range: D#3 - A4

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

​Mrs. Wormwood's ballroom dance partner. 

SKILLS:  Need a strong comedic actor. Preference for fit and athletic, with great vocal and dance stamina. A dancer would be great, but if he's hilarious with physical comedy, it doesn't matter.​Latin ballroom is an advantage!

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MISS AGATHA TRUNCHBULL

Vocal range: A2 - G4

Character's Gender: Female/Androgynous

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

The tyrannical headmistress at Matilda's school who despises children. Once a famous athlete, now described as a “gigantic Holy terror." Trunchbull is a cruel and sadistic person, but not a brute or brash - rather, sly and conniving, cunning and slinky. 

SKILLS:  Extremely good enunciation and vocal dexterity. This character is traditionally played by a male, but can be played by male or female in our production. STRONG comedy and character actor preferred. Ideally one of our tallest performers would play this role. 

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MISS HONEY

Vocal range: F3 - D5

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda's kindhearted teacher, and secretly Miss Trunchbull’s niece. She is tired of living in fear under Miss Trunchbull. A mild person who never yells and is adored by every small child under her care. Sweet, honest, caring, and intelligent, with a curious warmth and fragility. Miss Honey is timid but willing to become brave and stand up to bullies in order to protect her students.

SKILLS:  Must be a strong singer and a strong enough actor to make the role truly compelling.

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MRS. PHELPS

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: This part is traditionally played by a non-Caucasian actress with a Jamaican or African accent, but we are open to trying other things. 

Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She loves Matilda's dramatic storytelling and encourages it. She's playful and fun, and most importantly, she's Matilda’s trusted confidant. 

SKILLS:  No singing solos or dance features. Acting role. 

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LAVENDER

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Child

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda's classmate and friend.  Loud and kooky - and she likes to have fun!

SKILLS:  Strong singing and acting. Big personality.

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BRUCE

Vocal range: C4 - E5

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Child

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Bruce is a genuine, kind boy with a fondness for sweets; his spirit is broken by the Trunchbull but he bounces back stronger than ever. 

SKILLS:  Comic. ​A very strong actor and singer with monologues, scenes, and solos.

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MATILDA'S CLASSMATES (Ensemble)

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Female & Male

Character's Age: Child

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Matilda’s classmates, in addition to Bruce and Lavender. Various singing, dancing, and speaking roles. 

Amanda – Female.

Alice – Female.

Hortensia – Female. Feisty. 

Tommy – Male.  ​

Eric – Male. Smaller than the others. 

Nigel – Male. Spoken dialogue. 

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CRUNCHEM HALL STUDENTS (Ensemble)

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Female & Male

Character's Age: Child/Teen

Character's Ethnicity: Any

They are the older, tough kids at the school and perform the shows biggest singing and dancing numbers. Speaking, dancing, and singing parts – may play dual roles.

SKILLS:  A strong group of dancers and singers.

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THE ACROBAT

Vocal range: D4 - A4

Character's Gender: Female

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. 

SKILLS:  Strong mover.

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THE ESCAPOLOGIST

Vocal range: C3 - E4

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination. 

SKILLS:  Strong singer. 

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DOCTOR

Vocal range: C3 - A4

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Adult 

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Mrs. Wormwood's Doctor when she goes into labor with Matilda.  

An optimistic and naïve persona.

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CHILDREN'S PARTY ENTERTAINER

Vocal range: F#3 - Eb4

Character's Gender: Any

Character's Age: Adult 

Character's Ethnicity: Any

A party entertainer at the start of the show. 

 SKILLS:  Any “Clown tricks” are a plus, but not necessary for the role! 

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SERGEI 

Vocal range: Any

Character's Gender: Male

Character's Age: Adult

Character's Ethnicity: Any

Head of the Mafia. Extremely dangerous and intimidating, but becomes charmed by Matilda.

SKILLS:  A Russian accent would be ideal. ​

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More Ensemble Characters

The Cook

Mafia Henchmen

Birthday Party Kids

Mums &  Dads

Nurses​​

Dance Judge 

Mechanic