Audition Notice – Once Upon a Mattress

Director: Bridget Grace Sheaff

AUDITION NOTICE

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

By Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, and Jay Thompson

Presented by Ankeny Community Theatre

Ankeny Community Theatre announces auditions for Once Upon a Mattress, a light-hearted musical comedy adapted from Hans Christen Anderson’s “The Princess and the Pea.” A classic favorite of many musical theatre lovers, this team is looking for clever, curious, and collaborative performers who want to ring in the summer with this frothy, campy confection. 

Show Dates
June 12-21, 2026
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 2:00pm

Rated PG-13

Audition Dates

Auditions are open to performers of all experience levels. ACT is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and safe regardless of their age, race or ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or other characteristics that make our participants and patrons unique. We expect all our participants and patrons to conduct themselves in ways that support this commitment and to treat everyone with respect. Everyone who participates in our productions, from directors to actors and other volunteers, agrees to follow this  Code of Conduct.

ABOUT THE PLAY
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing. Drawing inspiration from reading fairytales under the covers, this production will feature a set that feels like a blanket/pillow fort and draws on the magic of our imagination and our optimism for a happy ending.

AUDITION FORMAT
Please sign up for an audition slot here and prepare a short selection of a song (16-32 bars). It can be from ONCE UPON A MATTRESS or a similar show (examples: Peter Pan, Damn Yankees, The Music Man, Camelot, etc.) Please bring a track or be prepared to sing a cappella- we will not have an accompanist.

Auditions: April 6th 6pm-9pm (willing to see a few April 7th 6pm-6:45pm)

Dance Call: April 7th 7pm-9pm

You may also get asked to read short sides on April 7th.

SUGGESTED AUDITION SIDES
Sides will be provided at auditions.

QUESTIONS
For audition updates, rehearsal schedules, or additional information, please visit AnkenyCommunity Theatre’s website or social media channels.

Main Characters
PRINCESS WINNIFRED: F (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Belt (A3 to D♭ 5), Light Dance

Before there was Princess Fiona, there was Princess Winnifred. A child of the swamp, a lover of the mud, you could not find a more unabashed and friendly being if you tried. Being around her is like being around an incredibly friendly singing barnyard animal. Think: Miss Frizzle meets Janine Teagues meets Pippi Longstockings meets Phoebe Buffay

QUEEN AGGRAVAIN: F (50’s). Vocal Range – Alto (A3 to B4) Light Dance

The world is her oyster and her pearl and her domain and her subject. A fierce leader, a protective mother, she wants what is best… for herself. Cutting and clever, cunning and crisp. Being around her is like being around a knife that likes to look in the mirror. Think: Miranda Priestly meets Annaliese Keating meets Mother Gothel meets Claire Underwood

JESTER: M/F/Any (20’s – 50’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D♭ 3 to A♭ 4), Experienced Dance

If you have clowning skills, this is the role for you. A true performer and a true friend. Being around them is like being around a slinky that speaks exclusively in puns. Think: Hugh Laurie in “Blackadder” meets Loonette the Clown meets Jim Carrey

PRINCE DAUNTLESS:  M (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Baritone (A3 to E4), Light Dance

Our sweet summer child. Dauntless wants to be so much more than he is now, but he walks two steps behind his mother at all times. Which doesn’t give him a lot of room to move. A romantic at heart, innocent, but not foolish. Being around him is like being around a curious lamb that just learned to ask questions. Think: Dory meets Pinocchio meets Forest Gump meets Tobias Funke

LADY LARKEN: F (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Soprano (D♭ 4 to A♭ 5), Light Dance

A woman who knows what she wants and what stands in her way. She is determined to marry Harry, but ultimately she is determined to be her own person. Being around her is like being around a flower that plants itself in asphalt but still manages to grow quite well. Think: Elle Woods meets Rapunzel meets Elizabeth Bennet

SIR HARRY: M (20’s – 30’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (C3 to G4), Light Dance

Harry had one thing he knew how to be good at, being a knight, and he is the best at it. Everything else falls in line. A little vain, but with his heart in the right place, being around him is like being around a peacock that would drop everything to help you change your tires. Think: Lancelot meets Jack Donaghy meets Sir Topham Hatt

MINSTREL: M/F/Any (20’s – 40’s). Vocal Range – Tenor (D3 to A♭ 4), Light Dance

Wise and charming, the Minstrel knows all. They have good insight and step into the story when necessary. They are the audience’s conduit into the story. Being around them is like being around a friend who is in every group chat and spills the tea at just the right time. Think: Aladdin’s Genie meets Yoda meets Glinda the Good Witch

WIZARD: M (40’s – 60’s). Vocal Range – Baritone (low: A2), Light Dance

Works for the Queen, but would give it all up for the chance to dance and show off what he can REALLY do. He’s a little dark and a little deceptive, but deep down if he had a spotlight, he’d really show you what he can do. Being around him is like being around a fox who wears a cape and insists on billowing it as much as possible. Think: Squidward meets Sideshow Bob meets Barney Stinson

KING SEXTIMUS, THE SILENT: Supporting – M(50’s). Vocal Range – Mute, Light Dance  

You know, you think not being able to talk might hinder him, but the King doesn’t seem to really have a problem. He’s not the most well-behaved man in the world, and maybe someday someone should really talk to him about that. Being around him is like being around one of those inflatable tube men who has a little more control over his actions. Think: Harpo Marx meets Mr. Bean meets Mr. Noodle

ENSEMBLE: 4(m) & 4(w), Multiple featured roles: Sir Studley, Sir Luce, Sir Harry, Kitchen Wench, Emily, Lady Mabelle, Nightingale, Ladies-in-Waiting, Knights, Soldiers, Servants, Musicians, etc. Must Sing and Dance

CONTENT ADVISORY (IMPORTANT)
Once upon a Mattress is mildly suggestive in content. Performers under the age of 16 are not encouraged to audition.