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Possible Character/Role Breakdowns (up to 19 actors) 

Rating: 14+ Spring Awakening depicts explicit sexual activity, various forms of abuse, self-harm, profanity, oppressive religion, sexism, ageism, classism, medical trauma, and other adult themes.  

All characters discuss sexual situations and experiences.  

Wendla 

Innocent and impassioned, 14-year-old Wendla is awakening to her sexuality and the harsh realities of the world. She instinctively searches for anything that fills the void of these new desires and can grant her relief in a closed society. Simulated sexual violence, situations, and acts are required for this role, including kissing and having simulated sexual intercourse with the actor who plays Melchior. Wendla dies from a botched abortion. 

Female or female-identifying actor of any ethnicity.  

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range (top: E5- bottom: E3). 

Melchior 

A smart, headstrong 14-year-old boy who refuses to bow down to society’s rules. An atheist and radical student, he struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla and his awakening sexual urges. Simulated sexual violence, situations, and acts are required for this role, including kissing and having simulated sexual intercourse with the actor who plays Wendla. 

Male, or male-identifying actor of any ethnicity. 

Baritone Vocal range (top B4- bottom: G2) 

Martha 

A kind and strong 14-year-old schoolgirl who faces continual physical and sexual abuse from her father. She is frightened of being a social outcast or kicked out of her home if she tells anyone. She is strong and intelligent and harbors a secret crush on Moritz. 

Female, female-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range (top: E5- bottom: E3) 

Moritz 

Melchior’s 14-year-old best friend and troubled student. He desperately tries to please his father but always disappoints him. His haunting, confusing sexual dreams, personal failures, and lack of community support crush his hopes and help drive him to take his own life. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: A4- bottom: C3) 

Thea 

Wendla’s 14-year-old best friend. She is sweet, energetic, and beginning to gain small crushes on boys like Melchior but still trusts her parents and the systems around her. 

Female, female-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Mezzo-Soprano.  Vocal range top: E5- bottom: E3 

Hanschen (Rupert Swing) 

A cunning and selfish 14-year-old schoolmate of Melchior’s who is sexually interested in both men and women. He is comfortable with his own sexuality and uses his looks and intelligence to captivate Ernst. Simulated masturbation and a shared kiss with the actor playing Ernst are required for this role. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Baritone Vocal range (top: D5- bottom: Ab2) 

Anna 

Martha’s 14-year-old best friend. Lively and a touch more free-spirited than her friends, she has a deeper understanding of the injustices happening around her.  

Female, female-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range top: C5- bottom: E3 

Ernst (Reinhold Swing) 

A sweet and shy, gay, 14-year-old schoolmate of Melchior’s. He is naive and easily manipulated, which allows him to fall in love with Hanschen.  

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: A4- bottom: Ab2) 

Ilse 

Martha’s 14-year-old friend, also abused by a family member. She has run away from home to live in an artists’ colony, perhaps in a new cycle of abuse. She reaches out to her old friend Moritz in the last moments of his life. 

Female, female-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range top: E5- bottom: E3 

Georg (Dieter Swing) 

A funny, energetic 14-year-old schoolmate of Melchoir’s. He is overcome with his sexual feelings for his piano teacher and openly obsesses over her breasts. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: D5- bottom: Ab2) 

Otto (Ulbrecht Swing) 

A 14-year-old classmate of Melchior’s. He struggles with feelings he considers inappropriate, especially a lustful dream about his mother.  

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: D5- bottom: Ab2) 

Rupert (Hanschen & Melchoir Swings)  

A reformatory boy who competes in a group masturbation game. 

Baritone Vocal range (top: D5- bottom: Ab2) 

Reinhold (Ernst Swing) 

A reformatory boy who competes in a group masturbation game. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: A4- bottom: Ab2) 

Dieter (Georg & Adult Man Swing) 

A reformatory boy who competes in a group masturbation game. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: D5- bottom: Ab2) 

Ulbrecht (Otto & Moritz Swings) 

A reformatory boy who competes in a group masturbation game. 

Male, or male-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Tenor Vocal range (top: A4- bottom: C3) 

School Girl 1 (Ilse, Martha & Adult Woman Swing) 

Female, female-identifying, or non-binary actor of any ethnicity. 

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range (top: E5- bottom: E3) 

School Girl 2 (Wendla, Anna & Thea Swing) 

Female or female-identifying actor of any ethnicity.  

Mezzo-Soprano Vocal range (top: E5- bottom: E3). 

Adult Woman 

Plays a variety of adult female-identifying characters ranging in age from 40 to 60, including a hateful principal, a sympathetic mother, a frightened and repressed mother, a sexual piano teacher, and a stern teacher.  

Highlighting and making sexual jokes about a character’s breasts is required for the role.  

Only sings in group numbers. 

Adult Man 

Plays a variety of adult male-identifying characters ranging in age from 40 to 60, including a hateful headmaster, an abusive father, a kind but strict father, a preacher, a stern teacher, and a doctor. 

Only sings in group numbers.