What Into The Woods role should I audition for?

Question

Hello! My school is doing Into the Woods for our spring musical next year. I don't know a lot about the show, and am not certain which role to try for. My range is between the E below middle C and the C above middle C. (I can get a little higher, but it's a struggle). I am about 5'7". I've been told that I am a great actress and dancer, and my singing is good but not stunning. What role(s) do you think I should try for?

Answer 1

The Witch, The Baker's Wife, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack's mother, stepmother to cinderella or one of the ugly stepsisters. Red is an alto, mostly belt, and she gets into some stuff a little above high C, maybe E or D. She doesn't need to have an amazing voice, mostly because she's a little girl.

The stepsisters are really fun to play. They can be either altos or mezzos; they have some cool harmonies together.

Stepmother doesn't really have a lot of singing to do-she mostly talks. Try out for her if you don't have much confidence in your singing abilities.

Jack's Mother is usually played by an alto....it sounds like you're a second alto, based on the information you gave about your range. She's a nagging mother, but has some cool parts.

The Witch is the BEST alto part in this musical, if you ask me. She is so funny, and has the best songs (just what I think) she also is a developing character, and appears throughout the entire play. She's not a dancer, but if you have strong acting abilities, then I say Go for her!

The Baker's Wife is a mezzo soprano/alto. She gets into the lower register, so it would be fun for you to show off your low notes. She dies, though...decide for yourself if you like having a character that dies.

I wouldn't advise trying out for Cinderella, even though she's one of the lead females. Her voice part is quite high, getting well above high E. She should definitely be played by a first soprano.

I love this musical because I'm an alto too and there are more alto leads than soprano leads. It seems every musical I'm in, I always get the supporting role because I'm not a soprano. =P

P.S. Personally, I don't really think that an actress in a high school musical should worry about her height. If your director is fair and reasonable, and he/she really wants you to play a certain role because you're perfect for it, then height shouldn't matter. Especially in a high school play.

Answer 2

You’re too tall for Little Red so nix that right off the bat. Dancing won't give you an edge because Into the Woods has NO chouse and is not a very dancey show. (Typical of Sondheim’s dramas.) Your range puts you out of the running for Cinderella who is a soprano 1. So that leaves you with The Baker's Wife, The Witch, and a few cameo roles such as: Jack's Mother, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Both The Baker's Wife and The Witch are very fine roles. But if you’re more comfortable with your acting then your singing I would go with The Witch, who is a good character that you can put a lot of personality in and is also a true alto role. (The Baker's Wife is Mezzo soprano.) But be warned The Witch dose a rap at the beginning of Act I. Most directors look favorably on actress who audition for the role who all ready know The Witch's Rap because they won't have to spend valuable rehearsal time working on it. I suggest if you are interested in being The Witch that you Google "The Witch's Rap" and practice it before hand.

Answer 3

definitely little red riding hood. that role sounds just like you! Hope I helped!.

"into the woods to grandmother's house"

Answer 4

Star role.

Answer 5

if you want a leading role, go with little red riding hood or the baker's wife....we did that show in community theater and it's a blast.....basically, it's a bunch of different fairy tales whose characters meet each other in the woods as they are going about their own errands......good luck on your audition!!!!!....and have fun no matter which role you get

Answer 6

If you are truly a real actor go for the WITCH! thats the best acting part in the play and her songs are middle range and the emphasis is on the acting.  Cinderella and Rapunzel would be too high for you, and the Bakers Wife is pretty vocally demanding.  You're too tall for Little Red.  I think you should try for the witch, and Jack's mother and ugly stepsisters are fun roles too.

And I second the advice about the witch's rap! its so much fun to learn and they will be super duper impressed by you if you can pull it off.  there is a video version of bernadette peters in this role floating around; see if you can find it at a library or ebay for inspiration and to get familiar with the show.  http://www.amazon.com/Into-Woods-Bernade...