Spring Awakening Character Breakdown

MELCHIOR – Male, 15-20 years old – A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society’s rules. An atheist and radical student. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges. Range: G2 – B4

MORITZ – Male, 15-20 years old – Melchior’s best friend, a troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. His haunting sexual dreams and academic failures eventually drive him to suicidal thoughts. Range: C3-A4

WENDLA – Female, 15-20 years old – Innocent. With every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her and her changing body. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution. Explores her newly-found sexuality with Melchior. Range: E3 – E5

ADULT MAN – Male, 40-50 years old – Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: HERR SONNENSTITCH, the boys’ teacher; HEADMASTER KNOCHENBRUCH; HERR NEUMANN, Ilse’s father; HERR RILOW, Hanschen’s father; HERR STIEFEL, Moritz’s father; FATHER KAULBACH; DOCTOR VON BRAUSEPULVER; HERR GABOR, Melchior’s father; and SCHMIDT. Range: D3 – F4

ADULT WOMAN – Female, 40-50 years old – Plays a variety of rigid adult roles. Characters include: FRAU BERGMAN, Wendla’s mother; FRAULEIN KNUPPELDICK; FRAULEIN GROSSEBUSTENHALTER; FRAU GABOR, Melchior’s mother; and FRAU BESSELL, Martha’s mother. Range: D3 – A4

ANNA – Female, 15-20 years old – A German schoolgirl and Martha’s best friend. Optimistic and a bit naïve, she has a difficult time understanding Martha’s trials. Range: E3 – C5

ERNST – Male, 15-20 years old – A schoolmate of Melchior’s. Naïve and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen. Range: Ab2 – A4

GEORG – Male, 15-20 years old – A clumsy schoolmate of Melchior’s. He is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher. Range: Ab2 – D5

HANSCHEN – Male, 15-20 years old – A rather narcissistic schoolmate of Melchior’s. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst. Range: Ab2 – D5

ILSE – Female, 15-20 years old – Martha’s sister, who was also abused and has run away from home to live in an artists’ colony. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life. Range: E3 – E5

MARTHA – Female, 15-20 years old – A schoolgirl who faces constant physical abuse from her father. She harbors a secret crush towards Moritz. Range: E3 – E5

OTTO – Male, 15-20 years old – A classmate of Melchior’s. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate. Range: Ab2 – D5

THEA – Female, 15-20 years old – Wendla’s best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure. Range: E3 – E5

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Red Branch Theatre Company is a professional, non-Equity theatre located in Columbia, Maryland. Dedicated to fostering a love of theatre in audiences that is life-long, we bring together artists and audiences in the Baltimore/Washington corridor and beyond by providing theatrical work that is exciting, affordable, powerful and thought-provoking. Red Branch Theatre Company is a member of TheatreWashington. 501©3 non-profit status is pending, anticipated in 2015.

Spring Awakening will open the 2015 season entitled “Coming of Age.” Other highlights of the season include a Pasek & Paul’s Dogfight and a world premiere musical adaptation of Peter Rabbit.