Black Box Theatre opens auditions for 'Spring Awakening' Aug. 5-6

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College will hold auditions for its production of "Spring Awakening" with book and lyrics by Steven Slater and music by Duncan Sheik. The production is directed by Jay Geller, with musical direction by Michael Hillstrom and choreography by Maggie McCord.

With an electrifying score that swings from folk to rock, "Spring Awakening" follows the unforgettable journey of a group of students in late 19th-century Germany as they move from adolescence into adulthood. Facing both the devastation and the wonder of sexuality and self-discovery, the characters navigate through their coming-of-age despite parents and authority figures who are intent on withholding information and suppressing thought and expression. This landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock 'n' roll.

Auditions will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 5-6, at the college, 8900 S. Route 14, Crystal Lake. Sign up for an audition time at www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4EABAD2BA1FB6-spring.

Callbacks will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8.

Rehearsals will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. beginning Monday, Aug. 12, and continuing from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings beginning Monday, Aug. 12.

Performance dates are Oct. 24-27, 31 and Nov. 1-3, 8-10.

All roles are open. Prepare a 2-3 minute upbeat song in the style of "Spring Awakening." Bring your sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Please no a cappella. Dress to dance.

You must be 18 years or older at the time of the audition and should consider your ability to convincingly depict a stage age of 16-18.

The show contains adult language and deals frankly and directly with important subjects such as sexuality, abortion, mental illness, suicide and grief.

• Anna: A German schoolgirl and Martha's best friend. Has a difficult time understanding Martha's trials.

• Ilse: Martha's sister, who shares her dark secret and has run away from home to live in an artists' colony. Moritz's last hope.

• Martha: A schoolgirl with a life-changing secret.

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

• Wendla: Innocent, but with every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution.

• Ernst: A schoolmate of Melchior's. Naive, easily manipulated. Unsure.

• Georg: A schoolmate of Melchior's who is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. Tenor Georg needs to be able to sing up to a D5 in falsetto.

• Hanschen: A schoolmate of Melchior's who is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to manipulate another student.

• Melchior: A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society's rules. Charismatic. An Atheist. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla.

• Moritz: A tormented and troubled student who desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. Has haunting dreams. Melchior's best friend.

• Otto: A classmate of Melchior's who struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate.

• Adult Man: Multiple roles, including Herr Stiefl (Mortiz's father), Herr Gabor (Melchior's Father), and Herr Sonnenstitch (the boy's teacher). (This is mainly an acting role but some singing is required)

• Adult Woman: Multiple roles, including Fanny (Melchior's mother), Frau Bergman (Wendla's mother), and the teacher. (This is mainly an acting role but some singing is required).

Note that the characters of Wendla, Melchior, Hanschen and Ernst all have specific scenes of intimacy. There is no nudity in this production.

There is no pay. For more information, call (815) 455-8746 or jgeller@mchenry.edu.