By Frank Wedekind

Translated by Edward Bond

Directed by Jessie Chugg

AUDITIONS: January 9th, 10th, and 17th 2026 in Barr Smith 2052 on the Adelaide University Campus. There will be an option to send in self tape if you are unavailable on all of these dates.

PERFORMANCE VENUE: The Little Theatre, Adelaide University

PERFORMANCE DATES: Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th, April 2026

THE STORY: Written by Frank Wedekind in 1891, Spring Awakening is a play that explores teenagers inner turmoil as the adults in their lives enforce repressive atitudes towards sexuality and sex education. We follow Melchior, Moritz and Wendla as they question, and eventually refuse adult authority. This repressive authority in question ultimately leads our young characters to tragedy.

REHEARSALS: Mondays 6 pm - 9 pm, Wednesdays 6 pm - 9 pm, and Sundays 2 pm - 6 pm.

CONTENT WARNING: This show handles topics relating to child abuse, physical abuse, abortion, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault and suicide. Please refrain from auditioning if you are not comfortable with portraying these themes. Some blocking of intense scenes can be revised to ensure comfort of the actors. This show may have a well-being officer as an active crew member relating to mental health concerns. Adelaide University also has mental health services to contact.

About the auditions

Auditions will roughly take 45 minutes to an hour depending on size of audition pool, contents of scenes and what role you are auditioning for. Audition materials are available here.

Auditions will be in maximum groups of five and will start with group scenes. Actors will then perform an individual segment where they will be asked to perform a monologue and/or duo scene with either a member of the panel, or member of their audition slot.

Actors should not feel restrained by ethnicity, gender, or accent. Age may play a factor in casting due to the show's themes.

Dual-casting will be decided after auditions based on actors’ suitability. The show has a large ensemble cast, with a preferred cast size of 16.

Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow yourself time before your audition and to complete the audition form if not yet prepared. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes for physical movement, and bring water.

If for any reason you need to cancel your audition, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing tgss@clubs.youx.org.au. Failure to notify us of your absence may affect your chances of being involved in future TGSS productions.

If you are unable to attend on these dates but are interested in auditioning, please email TGSS to organise a self-tape audition.

CHARACTERS

Leads

Melchior - Male - Lead - Age: 14 (May need to kiss Wendla)

Protagonist. Intelligent, but can be quite sure of himself. Often plays by the rules, but eventually fights against the oppressive adults in his environment. Is an atheist and has a strong understanding of sexual reproduction, unlike his peers.  Is best friends with Moritz. Love interest of Wendla. Physically and sexually assaults Wendla later in the play.

Wendla - Female - Lead - Age 14 (May need to kiss Melchior)

Curious and emotionally intelligent, but greatly miseducated in terms of sexual education and the adult world. Believes in the greater good of individuals. Is the love interest of, and is eventually sexually assaulted by Melchior Gabor, leading to an unwanted pregnancy. Is once physically assaulted by Melchior.

Moritz - Male - Lead - Age: 14

Somewhat neurotic and flustered, yet comedic. Struggles mentally due to his sexual confusion, which leads to him failing school. Commits suicide near the end of the play. Best friends with Melchior. Looking for a strong comedic and dramatic actor. 

Girls

Martha - Female - Supporting - Age: 14

Resilient and sentimental. A victim of physical punishment and abuse from her parents. Friends with Wendla and Martha. Is attracted to Moritz.

Thea - Female - Supporting - Age: 14 

Physical traits: Pitch Black Eyes

Observational and energetic. Friends with Wendla. Is attracted to Melchior. 

Ilse - Female - Supporting - Age: 14 

A free-spirited, bohemian girl who fled her home to live in an artists’ colony. She recounts sharing various romances with the artists while being their muse. She is one of Moritz and Wendla’s childhood friends.

Boys

Hanschen - Male - Supporting - Age: 14 (Must kiss Ernst, may need to simulate masturbation)

Clever and realistic, but content. Realises he is in love with Ernst. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz. Bisexual.

Ernst - Male - Supporting - Age: 14 (Must kiss Hanschen)

Innocent and sentimental. Realises he is in love with Hanschen. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz.

Otto - Male - Minor - Age: 14 - Likely dual-cast with school teachers.

Teases his classmates. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz. 

Georg - Male - Minor - Age: 14 - Likely dual-cast with school teachers.

Matter of fact. Doesn’t get into trouble. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz. 

Robert - Male - Minor - Age: 14 - Likely dual-cast with school teachers.

Jovial. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz. 

Lammermeir - Male - Minor - Age: 17 - Likely dual-cast with school teachers.

Physical traits: Tall, Blond hair, Hooked nose

Jovial. Schoolfriend of Melchior and Moritz. 

Adults

Frau Bergman - Female - Supporting - Age: Adult (May be dual-cast with Frau Gabor)

Wendla’s Mother. Concerned for her child’s innocence and refuses to educate her on sexual reproduction. 

Frau Gabor - Female - Supporting - Age: Adult  (May be dual-cast with Frau Bergman)

Liberal minded, mature and supportive of her son, Melchior.

The Masked Man - Male - Minor- Age: Adult (Dual-cast with Herr Stiefel, may be dual-cast with Herr Gabor)

A mysterious man who convinces Melchior to not take his own life at the end of the play. Has a constant presence throughout the show, especially during transitions.

Herr Gabor - Male - Minor - Age: Adult (Dual-cast with schoolteacher characters, may be dual cast with Masked Man)

Has strict views on parenting his son, Melchior.

Herr Stiefel - Male - Minor - Age: Adult (Dual-cast with Masked Man, may be dual-cast with Herr Gabor)

Ashamed of his son, Mortiz, after learning that he took his own life.

Ina - Female - Minor - Age: Young Adult (May be dual-cast with Ilse, Martha, or Thea)

Older sister to Wendla. Has children of her own. 

Various Teachers: Professor Gutgrinder, Professor Bonebreaker, Professor Sunstroke, Professor Tonguetwister, Professor Thickstick, Professor Flyswatter. - Minor - Age: Adult (Likely dual-cast with schoolboy characters)

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