So, I found out today that my community theatre's summer production this year is Man of La Mancha. After looking at the character list, I've gathered that the cameo role of Fermina is probably the only feasible role for me, based solely on age range. I'll be 15 at the time of production, however even now, I look quite a bit older than 15, I can usually pass for about 17 or 18. I can't find any detailed character descriptions, so I'd like to know any and all information about Fermina. Does she dance? Sing? Any lines? How does she relate to the plot?

I'd also like some audition advice, especially song choice. I'm a mezzo soprano but can also hit some pretty high notes, and I also sing soprano in my school choir. My chest voice is stronger than my head voice, but I can also belt and mix pretty well.

Thanks so much!!

Ooh! Ooh! Past Fermina here.

Fermina is a little part, one of the servants at the inn Don Quixote and Sancho stay at. I was sixteen when I played her, so, though I think age is flexible, you're right where you need to be. She makes a cameo appearance along with Maria (the innkeeper's wife) after "Aldonza" to help clean up after the muleteers. In my production, I also stayed onstage for part of "Dulcinea" and just sort of looked at Don Quixote with raised eyebrows. She also witnesses the Abduction scene (very challenging, I might add!) and then, at the very end, has a little solo in "Little Bird". She doesn't have any spoken lines, but that little solo. I played Fermina as a very haughty character, who mocked Aldonza, but was secretly jealous of the attention she received (...not that it's positive attention, but I figure back then, girls didn't have the knowledge we do now).

As Fermina, you'll also be in the various prisons scenes scattered throughout the show and will get to sing in the closing number. Fermina herself doesn't do any dance, but you might also double as a gypsy/moor (which I didn't do), in which case you'll have to do a little dance.

While it's a small part, I'd definitely recommend going for it. Man of La Mancha is a wonderful play, and with any luck, you'll have a strong Aldonza and Don Quixote who you can look up for. I didn't have to audition for my production, so I can't really suggest particular audition songs, but since the music is vocally challenging, I'd probably go with a more legit song (I went into head voice for the solo, fyi). Just show your singing chops, maybe also in a more dramatic song (definitely a ballad!), given the complexity of the show. Most of all, you want to show that despite your age, you can handle the difficulty of dealing with some of the heavy issues in this play (let me say, just being a prisoner of the inquisition alone was challenging). I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions.