Auditions have begun for the upcoming Samford production of “The Marriage of Figaro”. “The Marriage of Figaro” is a four-act, Italian comic opera created by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte in 1786. At Samford, the opera will be performed in English.
The opera tells the story of two servants, Susanna and Figaro, and their attempts to outsmart their employer, Count Almaviva, who wishes to take Susanna for himself. Occurring over the course of one day, the opera is filled with comedic misunderstandings, mishaps and schemes.
In the two weeks before spring break, two rounds of auditions were held for the opera. The first round consisted of general auditions for the opera. In the second round of auditions, a select few students were called back to perform alongside other cast members to determine which roles they would be cast in. Students who auditioned for roles in the opera had to prepare an Italian or English aria or art song and provide a headshot and a performance resume.
Freshman Morgan Sherrill auditioned for a role in the opera. To get ready for her audition, Sherrill consulted with her voice teacher, Professor Laura Doss, in advance to prepare her audition song. Sherrill and her teacher decided she would perform the Italian aria “Alma Del Core” by Antonio Caldara. Sherill and the other auditionees also had to prepare sheet music for the accompanying musician at the audition.
Sometimes anxieties can heighten during the audition process, and students must mentally prepare themselves on top of preparing their songs and materials.
Morgan Sherrill stated she eases her anxieties through “breathing exercises, praying and shaking out any nerves” she has.
Despite any nerves she may have felt, Sherrill said that auditions have been a rewarding process, “a positive environment [and] low stress.”
Freshman Georgia Kiser also called the auditions a positive experience. In her audition, Kiser performed an Italian art song and highlighted her comedic acting ability to appeal to the comedic genre of “The Marriage of Figaro”.
“Everyone has been so kind,” Kiser stated, “Because the environment has been so welcoming, I really got to enjoy making the music and having fun with acting choices.”
“The Marriage of Figaro” will debut at Harrison Theatre in Fall 2026.
Staff Reporter
