Our story begins in a faraway kingdom long ago. Due to an unhappy curse, King Sextimus is unable to speak. Meanwhile, his terror-of-a-wife, Queen Aggravain, has taken over control of the kingdom. Most importantly, in an attempt to keep Prince Dauntless single, she has decreed that only the princess that can pass her test may marry her son. Further, no one else in the kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless does. Lady Larken and Sir Harry are extremely disturbed by this fact since Lady Larken is now pregnant with Sir Harry's baby.

Luckily, Sir Harry is able to find an amazing princess, Winnifred the Woebegone. She instantly catches the attention of Prince Dauntless, and in the end, is able to pass the Queen's supposedly impassable sensitivity test. When the Queen still tries to prevent the Prince Dauntless from marrying, he tells her to 'shut up' which ends up breaking the curse on the king. Now able to speak, King Sextimus regains his rightful position as leader of the kingdom, and all is well. Mary Rodger’s classic Once Upon A Mattress is a delightful musical that is sure to become a fan favorite in theatres everywhere!

Auditions for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS will be October 7th-9th after school in the auditorium. You will sing, dance, and read dialogue based on the part you audition for on the 7th and 8th. You will dance in a group, BUT you must sing/act ALONE. The 9th will be used for call-backs ONLY! This is a MUSICAL so even if you are a dancer, you must also be a singer!! We will be posting the cast list on Friday the 10th at 5 p.m. online ONLY. Students wishing to audition need to sign up for a time slot on either day outside of Ms. Huther's door! Please see Ms. Beichner-Miller for additional information.

• Any students wishing to try out for a named character or leading character (denoted with an asterisk below) should prepare to sing, dance, and read dialogue Be prepared to demonstrate vocal range and flexibility. We want to see a polished audition with emotion portrayed.
• All students wishing to audition for the chorus ONLY should prepare to sing and dance.

All students should come to their audition well prepared to show their best musical and acting talents. Read the character descriptions below!! Do your best and dress appropriately.

Please fill out the audition information sheet and bring it with you to auditions.

1. Come Prepared
It should go without saying that you should do your research before stepping into the audition room.

• Yes, you should have your lines memorized.
• Yes, you should have your song memorized.
• Yes, you should have practiced the dance and be competent at it.
• Yes, you should come in clothes that allow you to dance. Including sneakers!

**Yes, you can still audition without these criteria met, but there will be a deduction of points based on the rubric.**

2. Stay focused
Be present!

3. Breathe
There is no such thing as a failed audition! Every audition you go to gives you extra experience to take to the next one! 

4. Enter the room with confidence
Fake it til you make it (if you need to)!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What if I can’t make the auditions?

• You MUST make the auditions to be a part of the cast. Please speak to the director if there is an issue about the day or time. We can be flexible between HS and MS auditions or times during the day.

2. What if I want to audition again?

• There is no opportunity to audition “again”. Do your very best during your audition.

3. What if I am not sure what role I should audition for?

• Trust your director and simply write, “I will take any role.”

4. What if I am a good singer/dancer but I don’t perform well that day?

• To be fair, we need to base our decisions on what we see during auditions. So, work hard, be prepared, and try your best.

5. What if I am busy and have a lot of extra curriculars and work?

• Look at the calendar, which will be posted prior to auditions, and determine if you have the time and the desire to make this work! Musicals are challenging and require A LOT of time onstage and at home! The commitment is real!

Monologues- please be prepared to read one of these monologues at your scheduled audition time. Memorization is appreciated but not required.

(Sir Harry is begging permission from the queen to go on a quest)

HARRY: Madame, I have the honor to request a Perilous Labor. I wish to search for a true princess, a princess of the Royal Blood: one who would suit both Your Majesty and Prince Dauntless. It seems that we have been through all the eligible girls in all of the neighboring kingdoms. There are none left. We could sit here and wait until all their little sisters grow up, but that would take years. Instead, Madame, I plan to head North. Over the mountains, across the Badlands and into the marsh land where the beautiful Swamp Lily grows. don't be afraid, Madame, for I will bring back a princess who is not only a REAL princess, but one who will be able to pass your test.

(The Minstrel is narrating about the differences between the songs and how the tale really happened)

MINSTREL: Sir Harry's perilous journey took three weeks and Lady Larken had all but given up hope that he would find a true princess. Then, one sunny morning in mid-April when the crocuses were just beginning to dot the meadows, the lookout in the north round tower spied two distant figures approaching at full gallop. The alarm was spread; "Sir Harry is back! Sir Harry is back with a new princess!" Now, let's see; how does this part go in the old story?? "On a stormy night to the castle door came the lass the prince had been waiting for..." That of course is utterly untrue. It didn't storm that night at all. In fact, it wasn't even night. And the princess only looked as though she'd come from a storm.

The following lines from Once Upon A Mattress will serve as the acting segment of our auditions. It is not mandatory to memorize these lines, but to be familiar enough with them so that your are able to act the􀀔 without stumbling over them. 

Below are lines for the characters of Princess Winnifred, Lady Larken, and The Queen. You may be asked to read all three for us. 

WINNIFRED She is a kooky, loud, strong, tomboy, moat-swimming princess. She can arm wrestle any knight, (ar1:d win). She is funny and out going. 

Actually, I swam the moat. But never mind. If I just stand right here, there's a nice draft, I'll be dry in no time. All right, so I was a little anxious. You see my friend, Sir Harry, told me you had an  opening for a princess, and I :figured ... the early bird ... Well, anyway, here I am. Who's the lucky man? 

THE QUEEN She is a mean, strong willed, dominating, mother who does not want her . one and only son to get married. She will think up any plan, however unfair to keep all . princesses away from him. 

Well then how can you say such a thing? I want you to.get married! How many times have I said to you, "I want you tb get married?" Why only this morning I was saying to your father, I said. "Meekimus, I want that boy to get married". Of course he didn't say anything, he never does. He may be a mean, stupid, selfish, rotten man, but he is your Father and I want you to respect him. 

LADY LARKEN She is sweet and sensitive. She is innocent and caring. She is in love with Sir Harry and wants to be married. 

Oh, Sir Harry, you missed the test. The latest princess was a failure. And as if that's not bad enough. I've had some troubling news from home. My parents have stated that if I am not married within a fort night, I am to return home, where I will be wed to Sir Anthony of Whittingham. So you see, Sir Harry, you simply must :find a princess for Prince Dauntless, and soon, or there will be no hope for us.