Auditions for Whistle Down the Wind

The Man

Male character, late 20s – mid 30s, 

Tenor, top note Bb (Bb4) 

Audition Music: 10. Soliloquy , #1 – 42 (audio)

Dance requirement: Some movement

Demanding lead male role.  Must fit the ‘classic Jesus description’ and be credible as the children believe he really is Jesus. Sexy and rough with an inner dignity.  A manic, hunted man, who must have the power to move the audience emotionally.

Swallow

Female character, late teens – 20s

Mezzo-Soprano, top note High F (F5) 

Audition Music- 6. Whistle Down the Wind, #48 – 79 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

Demanding lead female role. She’s a farmer’s daughter, a dreamer with inner strength and spiritual conviction.  Must have maturity to cope with this very large role (on stage virtually throughout the show) with many key songs (solo, duet and group). However, it is vital she has the innocence and naïveté to convey and make credible her unshakeable belief in Jesus.

Boone

Male character, 40s – 60

Tenor, top note Ab (Ab4)

Audition Music- 5. Grown Ups Kill Me, #1 – 17 (audio)

Dance Requirement: None

The children’s father, recently widowed, is struggling to cope with his young family, especially his daughter, Swallow.  A poor farmer with a broken spirit and a heart of gold.  Salt-of-the-earth quality with the remnants of genuine authority.

Amos

Male character, late teens – 20

Rock Tenor, top note B (B4)

Audition Music- 19. Let’s Make a Promise, #37 – 50 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

The rebel of the musical, keen on Swallow but planning to leave town with his equally rebellious girlfriend, Candy.  A Harley Davidson-riding ‘James Dean’ type character.  A tough exterior with a tender heart.

Candy 

Female BIPOC character, late teens – early 20s

Mezzo-Soprano, top note High D (D5)

Audition Music- 20. A Kiss is a Terrible Thing, #197 – 212 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

A restless teenager who acts older than she is.  Sexy, sassy, and opportunistic, she is only using Amos as a means to leave her small town for a big city.  The “villain” of the story, who ultimately betrays Swallow.

Edward 

Male BIPOC character, 40s – 70s

Baritone, top note F# (F4)

Audition Music-  8. Cold, #18 – 41 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

Boone’s good-natured farm helper with no real possessions but lots of spirit and majesty. Offers advice to Boone and the children when needed.  Carries one big company number.

Poor Baby

Male character, 8 – 12

Audition Music- 3. What’s He Doin’? (sing all parts), #39 – 55 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

The younger brother of Swallow and Brat.  Innocent, funny, and quick-witted.  The comic-relief of the show. Needs to show emotional depth in Act 2 over the death of his kitten.

Brat

Female character, 9 – 14

Audition Music- 3. What’s He Doin’? (sing all parts), #39 – 55 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance.

The family’s middle daughter, Brat is argumentative and often squabbles with her siblings.

Sheriff

Male character, 40s – 70s

Baritone, top note D (D4)

Audition Music-  9. For the Sake of all the Children, #6 – 16 (audio)

Dance Requirement: None. 

A typical small-town sheriff, who is fiercely protective of his residents. He is serious and hard-working, a big man with authority and right on his side.

Earl

Male character, early teens – 20s

Bass/Baritone, top note B (B3)

Audition Music-  4. Earl/Amos, #7 – 12 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some movement.

A snake handling troublemaker caught between childhood and manhood who travels with the religious revivalists.  A “strange looking kid”. 

Snake Preacher

Male character, 40s – 70s

Tenor, top note A (A4)

Audition Music- 26. Wrestle with the Devil, #107 – 123 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some movement

The leader of the traveling revival meetings. Uses mysterious and enticing snakes to gain religious recruits.  A charismatic preacher, but also an energetic and seductive con-man.  Carries one big company number.

Deputy

Male character, 20s – 50s

Dance Requirement: None

The hot headed sidekick to The Sheriff.  Minimal lines and some company singing, but in many scenes.

Minister

Male character, 30s – 80s

Dance Requirement: Some dance

The town’s church minister who promises “The Savior will Return” – hence why the children believe the Man is Jesus.  Minimal lines in Act One, otherwise an ensemble member.

Children’s Ensemble

Male/Female characters, 8 – 16

Audition Music- 14. Long Overdue for a Miracle, #64 – 83 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

The 9 person children’s ensemble takes on the roles of the friends of Brat and Poor Baby.  Group singing, featured solos, and small speaking parts.

Adult Ensemble

Male/Female characters, 21 and up

Audition Music- 1. Keys to the Vaults of Heaven, #1 – 24 (audio)

Dance Requirement: Some dance

The 12 person adult ensemble takes on the roles of the residents in a small town in Louisiana.  Various small speaking roles, group singing, and solos.