Auditions
Sonoma Arts Live is holding a casting call on Saturday October 18th in the SAL Theater 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma Community Center.
If you participated in General auditions, Directors will reach out if they need you to read again. If you submitted a virtual
submission, please feel free to attend in person.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer
Directed by Larry Williams
AUDITIONS SAT. OCTOBER 18th 11:00-1:00PM
We will be doing a participatory group audition, reading scenes from the script. After Director has seen you read in all applicable scenes, you will be dismissed. So plan on about an hour.
To book your spot, and request a digital script – email Jenny Veilleux SAL Production manager at:
Due to California State statute AB-5, all actors will be volunteers. However, per fiscal year, Sonoma Arts Live is allowed to provide its volunteer actors a reimbursement stipend of $ 250 for ensemble members, $350 for featured roles, and $500 for lead roles, to cover food and transportation expenses. In some cases, we are able to find housing during the weekends of the run for those coming from a great distance.
Many, many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son Prince Dauntless found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the swamp Princess Wobegone shows up!
The roles of Winifred and The Prince are cast. All other roles available.
Available roles:
QUEEN AGGRAVAIN: Lead – F(50’s). Vocal Range – Alto (A3 to B4),
Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: Very protective of her only son, Dauntless. She is a strong character that takes the stage with her presence. She is over-bearing, lively, domineering, but should be played comically.
JESTER: Lead – M/F (20’s – 50’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D♭ 3 to A♭ 4), Dance Requirements: Experienced. Character Description: Male or Female- Looking for a dancer and special talents- juggling, gymnast, contortionist, etc. Must be flexible, agile and full of energy. Has a hidden passion for show business and the “good old days” His/her loyalties lie with his friends, the King & the Minstrel.
LADY LARKEN: Lead – F (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Soprano (D♭ 4 to A♭ 5), Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: She is graceful, charming and in love with Sir Harry. She is very eager for Dauntless to marry so she can wed Harry before her little bundle arrives. She is eager to please and would never cause embarrassment to her love, Sir Harry.
SIR HARRY: Lead – M (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (C3 to G4), Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: He is a handsome and manly knight, but a bit of a “stuffed shirt.” He may one day become the Prime Minister, if he can find a Princess to marry Dauntless, so he can wed Lady Larkin. He is chivalrous, brave, determined and a bit taken with himself.
MINSTREL: Supporting – M (20’s – 40’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D3 to A♭ 4), Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: May be cast as male or female. Young, attractive and “worldly”. Has an air of confidence and enjoys telling the real story to the audience. S/he is like able and cunning when need be.
WIZARD: Supporting – Male presenting looks 40-60. Vocal Range – Baritone (low: A2), Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: The Queen’s loyal confidante. He is magical, mysterious and able to do several magic tricks. He possesses a sense of “the dark side” and showmanship.
KING SEXTIMUS, THE SILENT: Supporting – Male presenting, 50+.
Dance Requirements: Light. Character Description: An eye for the ladies! He is mute, due to a curse, but you always know what he is thinking. He is expressive, mischievous and playful with strong facial and physical comedy. (strong at pantomime a plus)
ENSEMBLE: 6(male presenting) & 6(female presenting), Multiple featured roles: Sir Studley, Sir Luce, Sir Harry, Kitchen Wench, Emily, Lady Mabelle, Nightingale, Ladies-in-Waiting, Knights, Soldiers, Servants, Musicians, etc. Must Sing and Dance.
Rehearsals start Sunday May 31, 2026 and will be Sun-Thurs 6:30-9:30, not everyone called to all rehearsals until Tech
Tech starts Sat July 11 with long days that Saturday (sitz,Q2Q) and Sunday, with Dress rehearsals evenings of
Mon July 13, Tue July 14, Wed July 15
Preview Thu July 16
Performances July 17-19, July 23-26, July 30-Aug 2, Thu-Sun
7:30pm, Sun 2pm
ALL TECH REHEARSALS ARE MANDATORY
About SAL
We have a team of professionals backstage. You are in good hands. Our theater, just blocks from Sonoma’s historic plaza filled with tasting rooms and unique shops, is 110 years old with a beautiful proscenium arch. It seats 99 on the floor, with additional balcony seating. We have a full-time Artistic Director, an Executive Director, and longtime staff running lights and sound with our own equipment. Our theater company has won multiple TBA awards, Marquee Theater Journalists awards, and SFBATCC awards.
All of our staff are fully vaccinated. Our theater features six HEPA filtration systems and one for our dressing room. Our theater is professionally cleaned.
We are always hoping to showcase new faces. Don’t let the distance keep you from submitting, in some cases we can provide housing during the runs on the weekends.
SAL is committed to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are interested in casting actors of all backgrounds, inclusive of race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, and age.
All actors are volunteers and receive a stipend for food and travel expenses-$150 (ensemble), $250 (featured role), and $500 (lead roles in a musical). We are not accepting Equity contracts at this time.