Sound of Music Director’s Vision Letter
Psalm 121: 1-2 
I lift my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and Earth. 

The Sound of Music is a timeless story of love, family, and the power of music in our lives. The audience is dropped into Austria in early 1938 on the cusp of the nation’s annexation into the German Reich. Captain Georg Von Trapp, a former officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy, wrestles with the rising tension in his community and in his home as his seven children run off every governess brought in with their shenanigans. Every governess until Fraulein Maria Rainer comes in from the Nonnberg Abbey and restores music and joy to the home.  

The nature of this show is that, aside from the Captain’s seven children who range in age from six to sixteen, most everyone in the cast needs to read on stage as an adult. The ensemble is made up of nuns, the Von Trapp’s rich neighbors, house staff, and German soldiers. So, while some younger students will be needed to play the young children, this show is geared toward students who appear older.  We ask that you look carefully over the character ages and descriptions posted on the website when considering which show you choose to audition for. 

When casting the Von Trapp Children, size and sound will be more important than an actor’s actual age. For example, in the script Brigitta is nine and Marta is seven, but if we have a smaller ten year old student who can pull off a seven year old and a nine year old student who looks their age, then the older student may be cast as the younger sibling. We will cast based on size and sound rather than actual age. We will also be casting Covers for the Von Trapp Children, and there are places in the script where that number of younger students will have special featured moments. 

Any younger students who are not cast in this production will be encouraged to participate in Charlie Brown, which rehearses and performs at the same locations.  If the students want to go to Charlie Brown, we can use their Sound of Music audition recording to send to the Charlie Brown team to assess for callbacks and casting if desired so that they don't have to go through another vocal/monologue audition.

This story has a very special place in my heart. From watching the movie with my sister at my grandmother’s house as a young girl to performing as a nun the last time CYT put on the production, it is surrounded by warm memories. I feel incredibly honored and blessed to have been chosen to direct this show with a stellar team by my side. I know the Lord has gone before us and will be guiding every decision that is made and every moment we spend together in the process of bringing the Sound of Music to the stage. We are praying for each and every auditioner and look forward to seeing you soon!

Hannah Watson
Sound of Music Director