Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Matthew Kacergis; Music directed by Gabe Mangiante
2026 Pre-Professional Production: Sweeney Todd
More About This Show
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. A chilling tale of love, revenge, and meat pies, Stephen Sondheim’s darkly comedic masterpiece follows the vengeful barber of Fleet Street in a haunting journey through Victorian London.
This production is part of our new Pre-Professional program, created for students ages 16 to 20. The program offers a deeper look into how professional theater productions are run, giving students valuable experience and preparing them for success in the performing arts beyond an educational setting. Participants in this program are expected to meet higher standards of discipline, preparation, and performance.
Auditions: January 12-13, 2026
Callbacks: January 19-20, 2026
Rehearsals: February 2 – March 12, 2026
Performances: March 13-22, 2026
What to Prepare:
- (1) 32-bar cut or 1-minute selection from a Sondheim song or something in the style of the show (think A Little Night Music, Ragtime, Into The Woods, Les Misérables, Sunday in the Park with George, Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc).
- (1) contrasting 32-bar cut or 1-minute selection that highlights your personality and vocal range.
Please bring sheet music in the correct key with your cuts clearly marked. An accompanist will be provided.
*If unavailable for auditions, you may submit a video audition no later than 6 PM on January 13th, 2026 to be considered for callbacks.
If you need ideas or help with material please see our Audition101 Workshop Materials.
Content Warning – Sweeney Todd
This show contains mature themes including violence, gore, murder, implied cannibalism, revenge, abuse, and sexual harassment. Please consider your comfort level before auditioning and reach out to the production team with any questions.
ROLES:
Please note, for a character’s gender/age, this is the gender/age they are portrayed as on stage. Casting is open to any gender identity that is comfortable presenting as the character.
Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker: Dark, imposing and hardened by years wrongly imprisoned, Sweeney is obsessed with bringing justice to the one responsible for all his pain. Constantly brooding, he does on occasion let his frustrations and temper overcome him and lashes out in rage. Little else matters to him other than revenge and reclaiming his daughter Johanna. Vocal Range: F2 – Gb4 (Bass-Baritone or Baritone)
Mrs. Lovett: Quirky, selfish, amoral, yet practical and maternal, Lovett is the one who keeps Sweeney from acting rashly on his bloody desires for vengeance. Having fallen in love with him she dreams of a life shared, just the two of them. Vocal range: G3 – E5 (Mezzo-soprano or Contralto)
Anthony Hope: Naïve, earnest and foolish, Anthony is ruled by his heart which easily leads him into trouble and being taken advantage of. He is not a violent man and doesn’t like confrontation but will persist with dogged determination when seeking to win Johanna’s freedom. Vocal Range: Bb2 – F4 (Baritone/Tenor)
Johanna Barker: A spirited, innocent and naïve girl, who has lived a sheltered life, couped up in Judge Turpin’s home. She has little understanding of the outside world and yearns for freedom. Vocal Range: Bb3 – A5 (Soprano)
Judge Turpin: A lecherous, powerful public figure who wields his authority with no remorse or compassion. Besides power his only other lust is for his ward Johanna as she blossoms into womanhood. Vocal Range: E2 – Gb4 (Bass or Bass-Baritone)
Tobias Ragg: A simple young man, who’s not too bright. He is under the power of his employer Pirelli and knows little about life except that not doing what he’s told earns him a beating and that it’s better to serve a rotten master than starve on the streets. Vocal Range: Bb2 – Ab4 (Tenor)
Beadle Bamford: Judge Turpin’s right-hand man, who wields Turpin’s power by extension and enjoys all the benefits that come with his station. He is pompous and condescending. Vocal Range: D3 – D5 (Tenor/Countertenor)
Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker: Sweeney’s wife whose mind has cracked from a failed overdose attempt and seeing her husband dragged away from her. She lives roughly on the streets begging for coin, searching trash cans for food or prostituting herself. Deranged and schizophrenic, she is wild and unpredictable. Vocal Range: Ab3 – F5 (Mezzo-soprano)
Adolfo Pirelli: A conman posing as a flamboyant Italian street barber. Cruel and cunning he recognizes Sweeney and tries to blackmail him but becomes the first victim of Sweeney’s razor. Vocal Range: B2 – C5 (Dramatic Tenor)
Ensemble
TUITION: $1,000
Tuition Assistance:
We want every student to feel welcome on our stage. To keep our programs strong amid rising costs, tuition will increase slightly this year. We understand that changes like this can be challenging, so families may use a discount code to continue at the previous rate if needed which will be made available during casting. Additional tuition assistance and work-study options are also available—please submit applications by January 20th so we can process them in time. (Applying for assistance will never affect casting decisions.) Our priority is keeping theatre accessible for all. Tuition Assistance Application Link
If you are interested in working on any of our productions this coming season, please fill out the form and we will be in contact as positions come up. Please fill out the following information to the best of your ability. If you have any questions, or anything about the requirements for this audition or filling out this form are a barrier to you participating, please email AlexRobinson@Studio-East.org for assistance and accommodations.
Show information, including dates, can be found at this link.
Please note, these are unpaid roles for students 10-20yrs old, however, they do not have tuition attached.
Location
10718 NE 68th St, Kirkland, WA 98033
