Amadeus auditions

About the Play

Amadeus is written by Peter Shaffer and directed by Liz Fisher.

Antonio Salieri, the religiously devoted court composer of the Austrian Emperor, still waits for the heavenly gift he most desires: true musical brilliance. Then Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a crass and rowdy young prodigy, arrives in Vienna determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius and seized by obsessive jealousy, Salieri begins a war with Mozart, with music, and ultimately, with God.

Reimagining the Play

As we re-emerge from the pandemic, Penfold is exploring what gives “classic” stories their timeless power and how we make that power relevant and resonant for today’s Central Texans. We’ll also look critically at texts that—for better or worse—have become part of our modern psyche and forge a more inclusive definition of the theatrical canon.

For this production, we will be reimagining this text for the 21st century, exploring the stylistic differences between Salieri and Mozart’s music by “remixing” Mozart’s compositions and operas that are featured in the script.

Rehearsal and Performance Dates

Rehearsals will begin in mid-February, 2022. Performances will take place at Ground Floor Theatre from March 24 to April 9, 2022. There will also be a special, one-night-only performance accompanied by the Central Texas Philharmonic at the Klett Performing Arts Center in Georgetown.

What to Prepare

Please submit a video audition using the link below by midnight on Sunday, October 3rd. Video auditions should include one-minute monologue and 16 bars of an art song or classical music selection.

An important note about singing: If you only want to be considered for Salieri or Mozart, a song is not required. If you want to be considered for Constanze, a song is recommended but not required. For all other roles, a song is required.

Callbacks

Callbacks will be the week of October 11-16 and will be scheduled with actors’ availability in mind.

Compensation

Acting stipends are $100 per week for rehearsals and performances.

Roles

All roles are available. Some actors will play multiple roles. Penfold Theatre is committed to expanding diversity on its stages. Artists of color are strongly encouraged to audition. Also, the gender pronouns below are character pronouns, not performer pronouns. Artists of all genders are strongly encouraged to audition.

Antonio Salieri
He/his, late 30s to late 50s, any race or ethnicity. Musical background is a plus. This role requires stage violence, physical intimacy, and comfort speaking languages other than English (Italian).

Charming, sophisticated, ambitious and willing to do anything to get what he wants. His mastery of rhetorical devices mirrors his mastery of musical notes.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
He/his, early 20s to late 30s, any race or ethnicity. Musical background is a plus. This role requires physical intimacy and comfort speaking languages other than English (Italian, French).

Impolitic, coddled and petulant. Brilliant, high-strung, childish, giggly, profane and vulgar – yet genuinely innocent. 

Constanze Weber
She/hers, early 20s to late 30s, any race or ethnicity. Flexible singing requirements, from no singing to featured soloist. This role requires stage violence and physical intimacy.

Sassy, smart, ambitious, playful, lustful and a free spirit. Doesn’t come from money and is, at times, out of her depth at court. 

Venticelli 1 (Karla) / Katherina Cavelieri
She/hers, mid 20s to late 30s, any race or ethnicity. This role requires stage violence and physical intimacy. As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• Venticelli 1 (Karla). Italian for “Little Wind”, the Venticelli are purveyors of information, gossip and rumor. They often act as one mind, moving fluidly in voice and body.
• Katherina. A budding prima donna and featured soloist.

Venticelli 2 (Friedrich) / Kapellmeister Giuseppe Bonno / Opera Performer
He/his, mid 20s to late 30s, any race or ethnicity. This role requires stage violence and physical intimacy. As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• Venticelli 2 (Friedrich). Italian for “Little Wind”, the Venticelli are purveyors of information, gossip and rumor. They often act as one mind, moving fluidly in voice and body.
• Bonno. Wealthy and skilled in the art of politics, he holds himself carefully, as if his power were a fragile thing.
• Opera Performer. A member of the opera ensemble.

Emperor Joseph II / Cook / Opera Performer
He/his, late 30s to mid 50s, any race or ethnicity. This role requires comfort speaking languages other than English (French). As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• Joseph. Amiable, with a short attention span. A cheerful, dapper individual who is always pleased with himself.
• Cook. Salieri’s trusted servant.
• Opera Performer. A member of the opera ensemble.

Johanna Kilian von Strack / Teresa Salieri / Opera Performer
She/hers, early 30s to early 50s, any race or ethnicity. As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• von Strack. Groom of the Imperial Chamber. Stiff, proper and tightly wound. An administrator and courtier at her very soul.
• Teresa. Salieri’s wife. Serious and silent.
• Opera Performer. A member of the opera ensemble.

Count Orsini-Rosenberg / Valet / Opera Performer
He/his, mid 30s to mid 50s, any race or ethnicity. This role requires comfort speaking languages other than English (Italian). As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• Orsini-Rosenberg. Director of the Imperial Opera. A supercilious opera director, grand and slightly pretentious.
• Valet. Salieri’s trusted servant.
• Opera Performer. A member of the opera ensemble.

Baron van Swieten / Major Domo / Opera Performer
He/his, late 30s to early 60s, any race or ethnicity. As a member of the ensemble, this actor will sing selections of Mozart’s operas (including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovani) and choral pieces.

• van Swieten. Prefect of the Imperial Library. Solemn, dogmatic and paternal.
• Major Domo. An efficient court servant.
• Opera Performer. A member of the opera ensemble.