Open Auditions for SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Presented by Springboro Community Theatre
Directed by David Shough
Music Director – Sarah Lingg
Stage Manager – Carmen Martinez
Intimacy and Fight Coordinator – Kayla Graham
Producer – Carrie Robbins
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8 & 9, 7-9pm. Callbacks Sept 10, 7-9pm
NOTE: Auditions will NOT be at the theatre.
Auditions will be at Pontecorvo Ballet Studios
20 Commercial Way, Springboro, 45066, near exit 38 off I-75
You need only attend one night. If you cannot attend either audition date, contact the director at davids@pbstudios.com, and we will make time or permit a video audition. Performance dates: November 6-15, 2026, Friday – Sunday. Rehearsals will generally be Monday through Thursday evenings, subject to cast schedules.
For the audition, please prepare 32 measures of a song appropriate to the role(s) you’re seeking or that best shows your voice, or both; do not sing from the show. Bring sheet music or an electronic track; a pianist and a Bluetooth speaker will both be available. Acapella singing is not favored.
When you sing, we’re interested not just in your voice, but also how well you can create a character expressing the song. Be fearless.
You may be asked to read from the script as well, though there is little non-singing dialogue in the show.
Please bring a resume, if you have one, and a list of all conflicts through November 15.
Callbacks are likely for some or all of the principal roles and will include singing from the score, so those seeking principal roles are urged to learn their character’s songs from cast recordings (but NOT the movie) or published scores before auditions. Sheet music will be provided in advance of call backs. Callback location is TBA.
Seeking:
9 principals (6 men and 3 women characters, listed below) and at least 8 ensemble (minimum 4 and 4, with an SATB mix). Race is not relevant to any role; all races & ethnicities are encouraged to audition. Character age does not necessarily limit actor age. Cross-gender casting is possible for some roles. The play is set in London around 1850. All characters speak with a British accent appropriate to their social status. Sondheim’s music can be challenging, so we are seeking strong voices, ideally with ensemble singing experience.
- Sweeney Todd – 40s plus, Baritone. Angry, wronged, escaped convict, and excellent barber, mourning the loss of his wife and daughter, and seeking revenge on those responsible: the judge and his Beadle.
- Mrs. Lovett – 40s – 50s, Mezzo. A not very good purveyor of meat pies. Somewhat addled, but not without a meaty idea here and there, and in love with Todd.
- Tobias – Plays 16-20, Tenor. A young boy, not fully matured, nor very smart. Abused by his master Pirelli, then devoted to Mrs. Lovett who takes him under her wing.
- Anthony – 20s, strong Tenor. A good-hearted sailor, who falls deeply in love with Joanna.
- Johanna – Plays 16, Soprano. Beautiful young ward of, unfortunately, the judge, and, it is later revealed, Todd’s daughter. In love with Anthony.
- Judge Turpin – 40s – 70s, Bass-Baritone. A lecherous, sadistic judge who imprisoned Todd in order to have Todd’s wife, and now plans to marry Johanna, Todd’s daughter. He is the focus of Todd’s desire for revenge.
- Beadle Bamford – 30s plus, high tenor, preferably with falsetto. An obsequious city official, and close aide to Judge Turpin. He is another target of Todd’s obsession.
- Beggar Woman – 30s-40s, Mezzo. Mysterious, mentally ill street beggar, later revealed to be Todd’s wife.
- Pirelli – 30s – 40s, Tenor. Barber, showman, and fraud, who attempts to blackmail Todd. Needs a bad Italian accent and a believable Irish accent. The actor will join the ensemble in Act II.
- Ensemble – Variety of ages, SATB mix. The ensemble plays a number of group character scenes as well as breaking the fourth wall with the many iterations of The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (“Attend the tale..”). Members will also play several incidental roles – Bird Seller, Mr. Fogg, Todd’s wife Lucy, policeman, etc.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 