Calliope Auditions: Fiddler on the Roof

Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof is the brainchild of Broadway legends Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince, song writers Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and book writer Joseph Stein.

Set in the little Russian village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Fiddler on the Roof cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion - leaving audiences crying tears of joy and sadness.

Calliope Productions is seeking a large, diverse cast of performers for our December musical production of Fiddler on the Roof and encourages performers of all ethnicities and gender identities to audition. Note: This production does require a few child performers.

The Characters

The ages listed below are a general guide. Several performers will play multiple roles. Voice ranges are provided where appropriate.

Tevye:   The likeable, hard-working, pious dairyman, who always sees the positive side of life. He is a proud patriarch and father of five daughters. Presented as Male. Age range 45 – 60. Baritone.

Golde:   Tevye’s strong-willed wife, who wishes for her daughters to live easier than she and Tevye. Presented as Female. Age range 40 - 50. Mezzo.

Tzeitel:   Their eldest daughter, who is in love with Motel. She is loyal to her family but challenges traditions. Presented as Female. Age range 18 - 25. Mezzo.

Hodel:   Their second eldest daughter, who becomes involved with and marries the radical Perchik. Presented as Female. Age range 18 - 23. Mezzo.

Chava:   Their middle daughter, who falls in love and runs off with Fyedka, a Russian soldier. Presented as Female. Age range 18 - 20. Mezzo.

Shprintze:   Their fourth eldest daughter. Presented as Female. Age range 9 - 13.

Bielke:   Their youngest daughter. Presented as Female. Age range 8 - 12.

Yente:   The village matchmaker, who is a busybody and a gossip. Presented as Female. Age range 50 - 60. Alto.

Motel:   The poor and meek tailor who marries Tzeitel. Sensitive and nervous, but sincere and friendly. Presented as Male. Age range 18 - 25. Tenor.

Perchik:   The outspoken radical student who challenges the traditions of the village. He falls in love with Hodel. Presented as Male. Age range 20 - 30. Tenor.

Lazar Wolf:   The feisty, brawny butcher and the village’s wealthiest citizen, who wants to marry Tzeitel. Presented as Male. Age range 50 - 65. Baritone.

Avram:   The village bookseller, who keeps the villagers informed of all the local news. Presented as Male. Age range 40 - 60. Baritone.

Grandma Tzeitel:   Golde’s deceased mother, who endorses the marriage between Tzeitel and Motel. (Doubles in the Ensemble) Presented as Female. Age range 60s and up. Mezzo.

Fruma-Sarah:   Lazar Wolf’s deceased first wife, who becomes enraged when he plans to marry Tzeitel. (Doubles in the Ensemble) Presented as Female. Age range 50s and up. Mezzo.

Constable:   A Russian military officer, who knows the villagers well but has a superficial relationship with them. Presented as Male. Age range 35 – 45. Baritone or Tenor.

Fyedka:   A Russian soldier, who falls in love (and runs off) with Chava. Presented as Male. Age range 20 – 25. High Tenor.

Ensemble Members to play the following roles: Morcha (the innkeeper), Nachum (the beggar), the Rabbi, Mendel (the rabbi’s son), Shaindel (Motel’s mother), Russian soldiers, additional villagers, and the Fiddler. In addition, we need a few males and females in their late teens, and two young boys (age 8 to 12).

Last updated on 24 June, 2025, subject to change.

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