News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu summer 05 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 8/10/05   AUDITIONS SCHEDULED AUGUST 20 AND 23 FOR SOUTHEASTERN’S “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”         HAMMOND – Auditions are scheduled Saturday, August 20, and Tuesday, August 23, for “The Sound of Music,” the Southeastern Louisiana University Opera/Music Theatre Workshop’s contribution to the 20th anniversary season of Fanfare, Southeastern’s annual arts festival.        “The perennial Broadway favorite has arguably become the world’s most beloved musical,” said Opera/Music Theatre Workshop Director Charles Effler. “Not only is 2005 Fanfare’s anniversary, but it also marks the 45th anniversary of ‘The Sound of Music’s’ first season on Broadway and the 40th anniversary of the release of the Oscar-winning movie.”        “The Sound of Music” will be performed October 11-15 at 7:30 p.m. and October 16 at 3 p.m. at Southeastern’s Pottle Music Building Auditorium.        Auditions are open to children in grades first through high school, university students and community adults, Effler said.        Auditions for children’s roles will be held August 20 at 1 p.m. with callbacks scheduled for August 22 at 6 p.m., both in the Pottle Auditorium.        Adults are invited to audition on August 23 in the Music Recital Hall, located in the Pottle Music Building Annex, and can choose to attend either a 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. session.        Effler said eight children’s roles will be cast -- Rolf, 17, Liesl, 16; Friedrich, 14; Louisa, 13; Kurt, 10; Brigitta, 9; Marta, 7; and Gretl, 5.         “Girls must be at least six years old to audition for the part of Gretl,” Effler said. “Also, the role of Friedrich is written for a boy soprano, so the boy who is cast must have an unbroken voice.”        While children to do not have to be exact age of the characters, “they need to look close to those ages,” Effler said.        Effler said “The Sound of Music” includes a variety of parts for adults -- from numerous chorus roles to the starring roles of Maria, Capt. Von Trapp and the Mother Abbess.         “Everyone interested in auditioning should be prepared to sing one verse of a song,” Effler said. A pianist will be provided.        Rehearsals will begin August 29 and will be held in the late afternoon and early evening for children and in the evening for the adult cast.        General admission tickets are on sale now at the Fanfare box office, located in the lobby of the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 220 E. Thomas St. in downtown Hammond, 985- 543-4371. Box office hours are weekdays, noon-5 p.m. Tickets are $12, adults; $8, senior citizens, Southeastern faculty and staff, and non-Southeastern students. Southeastern students are admitted free with their university I.D. Tickets will also be on sale at the door one hour before each performance.        For more information, contact Effler at 985-549-2249 or ceffler@selu.edu. For additional details about the Fanfare 2005 schedule, visit www.columbiatheatre.org or call the Columbia Theatre office, 985-543-4366.