[HarmonicSoul]

I recently had an audition for a class production of "Into the Woods". In no way is it professional. It is supposed to be for 13-18 year olds.

I have a very classical voice (if not border-line operatic), and I am Soprano. I have a rather wide range (3 octaves for performance, almost 4 for warm-ups), and I believe that I could pull off the role of Cinderella vocally. I think I did rather well at the audition. I sang "If I Loved You" from Carousel. (Is that a good song to audition with, by the way? For Cinderella, Into the Woods, and in general? I am rather new to the audition process.)

The issue is my age and appearance (also lack of experience with company, but that is a different matter). I am turning 15 in September (the shows are in January), and the role of Cindy should be played by a 17 year old at the least. Due to the age limits, I am not sure if this is set in stone for the company production. However, I am also rather short and have some meat on my bones because of it. I would actually be a good "Little Red" appearance-wise, but whenever I belt efficiently it sounds rather nasal (the whole "masque" thing); I also put down Little Red for desired roles, but the song I chose suited Cindy. Anyway, to the point of the board...

Is it realistic or suitable to have a younger Cinderella if she can pull off the vocals? At my audition, they said I looked like a Senior in my headshot, but I still have the whole shortness thing. We get an e-mail regarding roles and call-backs next week. I'm not holding my breath for Cinderella or any role, but I was just curious.

And yes, I tend to ramble. XD My apologies.

[christinadaae]

First off pre and post good luck (auditions and callbacks)

Seeing as the group is for teenagers, a younger Cinderella will have to be chosen. Cinderella must look and sound young compared to Bakers Wife and the Witch. Those roles should be filled by the older kids. This gives a 15-year-old a decent chance at being cast. Of course, I totally prefer to think of auditions as based on merit, but much of the time this is hardly the case.

[the_bakers_wife]

She's right; the role of Cindy should be played by someone much younger than the Baker and the Bakers Wife. Although, as far as shortness goes, I don't think that should really be that much of a problem. They should be casting according to talent and experience level and not worrying about the number of years old the person auditioning is. If you have the vocal capability, there is no reason why you shouldn't be in the running to be Cindy.

BUT, knowing from experience, if they find someone old with near or the same vocal ability, they're going to choose the older candidate. It's happend to me before. haha.

Oh, and as far as "belting" goes, you're right, in saying that your belt is very nasal. Belts are supposed to be very nasal, so don't worry about throwing it way back into your throat, it's supposed to be up there in the nasal cavity.

But BREAK A LEG with call backs. I hope you do well!! [/i]

[HarmonicSoul]

Thank you both. I will post any news about call-backs if I get any.

[music is my life!!!]

if you look on the older side of 14 you stand a great chance!

go for it!

[Kaiana]

I would have pegged you as Rapunzel actually, since you said you have a borderline operatic voice and she is fairly young. I wouldn't be surprised if you got cast as that.

[Eponine93]

It really depends on talent. If you're talented enough, you'll get the role no matter your age in most cases. In the production my mom was in when I was a baby, it was an adult production yet their Cinderella was no older than 16 (of course, she was a pre-Broadway Laura Benanti.)

[Kragey]

Normally I would say a 14-year-old couldn't handle the part, but since you're in a youth production--and in the middle of its age range--I think you'll be just fine. Pick a good song, practice, and good luck! =D

[HarmonicSoul]

Well, I got call backs! Unfortunately, it isn't for a specific character as of yet. It just says to familiarize yourself with Act One, and be prepared to learn new music. So whether or not they think I'd make a good Cinderella or another character is still unknown.

[the_bakers_wife]

OH that is lovely! Congrats! I'm sure that you will do very well. Getting a call back at such a young age for Cindy is awesome!! Good luck! Let us know how things play out

[HarmonicSoul]

Ok, so I went to the call backs today. We were told that everyone at the call backs were pretty much guaranteed a part, but it was a matter of which.

Little Red -- I didn't do so well for her at all. I cracked multiple times whilst trying to belt. I'm not used to belting nasily in public. However, this girl younger than me had a set of pipes on her, and I knew I probably wouldn't have gotten the part even if I had done as well as I knew I could have.

Cinderella -- I was (oddly enough) the oldest to be selected to sing for her. The auditioners narrowed it down to me and a girl that I knew had a very good voice.

Rapunzel -- I knew that I would do very well at this, considering my operatic leanings, but I hoped that they wouldn't call me for her. They did. And it turned out that I was the only one capable of hitting the notes operatically. O.o Then I was called to read for her, and they were very happy with my acting. They called other people for other parts, and they only called me for Rapunzel for the whole time. I must have looked disappointed, though, for they eventually let me read once for Cinderella, Little Red (whom I had ruled out from the start), and even a wild card: The Witch. I had the attitude for her, but when I was asked to sing her rap at the beginning, I did horribly. I wasn't considered for her again, so I think they were just trying to not make me think they had already cast me as Rapunzel.

So I am kind of disappointed. We don't find out what parts we got until next week, but I am pretty good about sensing if I get a specific part. I am already busy with school and two other shows, and I'm not sure if it is worth it. Is Rapunzel a good part? All I know that the only thing she seems to do is "ah" and has a bit of a breakdown.

[what_the_heck013]

[musicalfan07]

Also, the scene in act 2 with the witch and her prince is HILARIOUS! I'd kill to have a principal part in Into the Woods. Very good luck to you on getting the part.
musicalfan07

[ConverseSneaker]

Let me tell you something. The Rapunzel in my production was probably the best actress and one of the best singers we had. But by the time they had casted Cinderella and the Baker's Wife and most of the other parts, she was given Rapunzel. But she did amazing. She took advantage of her part to bring it out and she made it hysterical, gave it beautiful singing and when she wasn't onstage, she would also understudy every role, including the guy's parts. When we almost lost our Baker's Wife to sickness, she was asked to understudy in case she didnt' get better in time. For both show nights though, she played her own role and every night, she got the biggest applause and laughter.

I'm just trying to say that a smaller role can be made into the biggest character on the stage. You can bring humor and love to her. You can amaze the crowd with Our Little World. Rapunzel is funny, innocent and tragic and it takes a great actor to show the audience that.

[christinadaae]

I was Rapunzel when I did the show, and let me tell you, I rocked it out!
Our Little World is pretty much hilarity.

Can I tell you best part of playing Rapunzel though? We did Act I for elementary school kids a few times during the day. Afterwards they wrote us notes about the show. You know, little kid handwritting in crayon with pictures to the side.
The majority of the letters were about me. They said "Rapunzel's hair was the prettyst." "Rapunzel was really botiyful and funny."
My heart melted!

[HarmonicSoul]

It is officially the beginning of the new week, and I am now impatiently waiting for an e-mail with the cast list. I may not get it for a few more days due to Labor Day Weekend, but I can't help myself.

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far. Because of you and a bit of research, I am now happily ready to accept the part of Rapunzel if I were to get cast as her. I do dearly hope that "Our Little World" is included, but as of now I am not sure. I will probably ask the director to include it if I get the part. I hope I can pull off Rapunzel's comedic part of her character; I always have had trouble with comedy, while drama comes naturally.

(Now that I like the idea of Rapunzel, watch me get Jack's mother or something. XD That tends to happen.)

Christinadaae -- Aren't the elementary kids adorable? We did a play for middle/elementary kids at school, and I was the lead. I absolutely loved the "fan mail", as my drama teacher called it. X3

And now, I wait. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

[ConverseSneaker]

[Kaiana]

[music is my life!!!]

from what you've told us, i'd say you have a pretty good shot at either cindy or rappy (?). being as though you were recalled over and over for rapsta i think you might get that part - you go, girl!

[HarmonicSoul]

Ladies and gentlemen (well, mostly ladies), the results are in.
As predicted, I was cast as Rapunzel. I was also cast as Cinderella's Mother. She appears/sings only at the "Cinderella at the Grave" scene, I believe. On the bright side, I love that woman's voice.

[musicalfan07]

Congratulations. Break a leg with rehearsals/ performances
musicalfan07

[music is my life!!!]

wow! well done - you deserve it... erm - them!



have fun!

[Kaaatrina]

Congrats! Any role is better than no role at all.

[Lara]

Congrats! I sent you a PM because I seriously think you're someone who was at the callbacks with me (that, or I'm going nuts). Anyways, regardless of who you are, I hope you have a blast with the show and the part!

EDIT: Checked out your YouTube page. It is you! I'll see you in October!

[blue wind]

*gasp* good job! so even more than you expected! i hope you get to sing "our little world"

you're seriously going to have a lot of fun, into the woods is such a great show. rapunzel is only a good role if you really have fun with it, or else it's just bland. have fun!

[ConverseSneaker]

Go you! Break a leg!

[christinadaae]

Congradulations!
Good luck. I'm sure you will be wonderful.
But I would like to once again point out, as my love Kaiana already did, but Rapunzel, while a funny character, is not a goofy person.
She completley believes what she is doing is right.

Good luck with that two second costume change!

[HarmonicSoul]

Sorry to bump up an otherwise dead thread (well, it wasn't that far down in the first place), but my director decided to include "Our Little World!" It sounds like such a sweet, funny song to perform.

Vanessa Williams has a...unique take on the Witch, by the way. Since the OBC didn't have "Our Little World", I bought the song from the revival cast recording. XD I think I'll stick with Bernadette, though both are extremely talented.

[kozafluitmusique]

Also, check out the london cast version of "Our little world".

so pretty!