Audition Packet
Audition Packet
Audition Packet
AUDITION PACKET
WHAT: AUDITIONS FOR MUSICAL
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
QUESTION:
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND BOTH AUDITIONS ON DECEMBER 19TH
AND 20TH?
ANSWER:
NO—YOU MAY ATTEND EITHER OF THE TWO DAYS. IF YOU ARE
CALLED BACK, HOWEVER YOU MUST ATTEND THE CALLBACK
AUDITIONS ON DECEMBER 21ST .
QUESTION:
WHAT IS A DANCE CAMP AND DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE
DANCE CAMP?
ANSWER:
THE DANCE CAMP IS NOT MANDATORY AND IS NOT REQUIRED
TO AUDITION. IT IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO WISH SOME
EXTRA PREPARATION ASSISTANCE FOR AUDITIONS.
QUESTION:
WHAT ARE CALLBACKS?
ANSWER:
CALLBACKS OCCUR AFTER INITIAL AUDITIONS AND ARE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DIRECTORS TO SEE AND HEAR
PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS IN MORE DETAIL.
QUESTION:
IF I’M NOT CALLED BACK, DOES THAT MEAN THAT I DIDN’T
MAKE THE MUSICAL?
ANSWER:
NO! CALLBACKS ARE ONLY FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WE
NEED TO SEE OR HEAR AGAIN TO HELP US DECIDE CERTAIN
ROLES. MOST STUDENTS WHO ARE SELECTED FOR THE
MUSICAL ARE NOT CALLED BACK.
QUESTION:
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M CALLED BACK?
ANSWER:
A CALL BACK LIST WILL BE POSTED WEDNESDAY MORNING,
DECEMBER 21ST BOTH ON THE THEATRE NOTES BOARD AND ON
THE NORTH THEATRE WEBSITE: www.appletonnorththeatre.com
QUESTION:
HOW DO I KNOW IF I MADE THE MUSICAL?
ANSWER:
A CAST LIST WILL BE POSTED ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22ND .
QUESTION:
WHEN WILL REHEARSALS BEGIN?
ANSWER:
REHEARSALS WILL BEGIN THE WEEK OF JANUARY 2ND WITH
THE FIRST CAST MEETING ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 3RD . ALL
CAST MEMBERS WILL MEET ALSO ON WEDNESDAY AND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4TH AND 5TH FOR A SHOWING OF A VIDEO
OF THE FIRST AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION AND
DISCUSSION OF THE DESIGN CONCEPT AND APPROACH AS WELL
AS THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE.
QUESTION:
IS THE SOLO DRAMATIC READING THE LYRICS TO A SONG?
ANSWER:
YES. JUST READ THEM AS IF THEY WERE A MONOLOGUE.
FOCUS ON THE EXPRESSION AND MEANING.
QUESTION:
WHAT IF I JUST WANT TO DANCE FOR THE MUSICAL? DO I STILL
HAVE TO DO THE SINGING AUDITION?
ANSWER:
YES—THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE DANCE/MOVEMENT
AUDITION RUNNING CONCURRENTLY WITH ACTING AND
SINGING AUDITIONS. THERE WILL BE A SMALL SEPARATE
DANCE CORPS WHICH WILL DO SOME OF THE MORE COMPLEX
MOVEMENT PARTS OF THE SHOW. YOU CAN INDICATE YOUR
INTEREST IN DANCE ON YOUR AUDITION FORM. EVERYONE
WILL HAVE TO TAKE PART IN SINGING, ACTING, AND DANCING
FOR AUDITIONS. (SINCE ALL CAST MEMBERS WILL BE
REQUIRED TO DO SOME DANCE/MOVEMENT) BUT THOSE IN THE
DANCE CORPS WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE REQUIRED TO SING
DURING THE SHOW.
QUESTION:
WILL THERE BE ACCOMPANIMENT FOR THE AUDITION?
ANSWER:
YES—THERE WILL BE EITHER LIVE OR RECORDED
ACCOMPANIMENT AT TRYOUTS.
QUESTION:
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, DO I STILL HAVE
A CHANCE AT A GOOD PART?
ANSWER:
ALL PARTS IN A MUSICAL ARE GOOD SINCE THERE IS SO MUCH
GOING ON, BUT YOU WILL BE JUDGED SOLELY ON YOUR
AUDITION, NOT PAST PRODUCTIONS YOU HAVE BEEN IN. THE
CAST SIZE FOR THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME IS VERY
LARGE, SO YOU HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING SELECTED!
QUESTION:
IF I MAKE IT, WHEN ARE REHEARSALS?
ANSWER:
REHEARSALS WILL TYPICALLY BE HELD AFTER SCHOOL FROM
3:15 TO 6:15. THERE WILL BE SOME WEEKENDS IN FEBRUARY AS
WELL. MOST CAST MEMBERS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO
ATTEND EVERY REHEARSAL, AT FIRST. A FULL SCHEDULE WILL
BE GIVEN AT THE FIRST WEEK OF MEETINGS OF THE CAST.
QUESTION:
WILL THIS MUSICAL BE DOUBLE-CAST?
ANSWER:
YES. LIKE PREVIOUS SHOWS AT NORTH, MANY, IF NOT ALL OF
THE CHARACTER ROLES WILL BE DOUBLED. THIS ALLOWS
MANY MORE STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED.
QUESTION:
WHEN WILL THE MUSICAL BE PERFORMED?
ANSWER:
PERFORMANCES ARE SCHEDULED FOR TWO WEEKENDS—
QUESTION:
CAN I REQUEST A PART I WANT?
ANSWER:
YOU CAN EXPRESS INTEREST IN PARTICULAR ROLES ON YOUR
AUDITION FORM, BUT IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU
WILL BE SELECTED FOR THAT ROLE.
QUESTION:
ARE SOME PARTS OPEN TO BE PLAYED BY THE OPPOSITE
GENDER?
ANSWER:
YES! IN FACT, SEVERAL OF THE CHARACTERS IN THE
MUSICALMAY BE PLAYED BY EITHER A MALE OR FEMALE
INCLUDING FROLLO, JEHAN, QUASIMODO, CLOPIN, AND MANY
OTHERS.
QUESTION:
WILL OTHER PEOPLE BE WATCHING MY AUDITION?
ANSWER:
YOU WILL BE BROUGHT IN INDIVIDUALLY FOR YOUR INITIAL
AUDITION AND HEARD ONLY BY MR PARKER, AND MR.
AUMANN. YOU WILL AUDITION IN GROUPS FOR DANCE FOR MS.
WILLIAMSON.
QUESTION:
IF I’M NOT SELECTED, CAN I STILL BE INVOLVED?
ANSWER:
YES! THERE ARE MANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT POSITIONS
AVAILABLE. MANY OF THOSE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WILL BE
CHOSEN FROM THOSE WHO AUDITIONED AND WERE NOT
SELECTED TO PERFORM.
QUESTION:
WHAT IF I CAN’T READ MUSIC?
ANSWER:
A CD WITH ALL THE AUDITION SONGS CAN BE CHECKED OUT
IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL FROM THE STAGE MANAGERS IN
MR. PARKER’S ROOM, 1118 ; YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS ALL THE
AUDITION MUSIC ON OUR WEBSITE www.appletonnorththeatre.com .
QUESTION:
WHAT DO THE TRACK NUMBERS MEAN ON THE AUDITION
MUSIC?
ANSWER:
THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS OF THE SONGS WHICH CORRESPOND
TO TRACKS LISTED ON THE WEBSITE LINK AND ON THE CD
AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT.
QUESTION:
WHAT IF I JUST WANT TO WORK BACKSTAGE OR IN A
TECHNICAL AREA—DO I STILL HAVE TO AUDITON?
ANSWER:
NO—THERE WILL BE A SIGN UP SHEET ON THE GREEN ROOM
DOOR BEGINNING THE WEEK ON DECEMBER 19TH FOR THOSE
INTERESTED IN WORKING TECH. PUT YOUR NAME DOWN AND
YOU WILL BE CONTACTED.
QUESTION:
WHAT IF I WANT TO PLAY IN THE PIT ORCHESTRA?
ANSWER:
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME WILL HAVE A LARGE PIT. SEE
MR. THALDORF IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING IN THE PIT
ORCHESTRA.
QUESTION:
WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS IN THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE
DAME?
ANSWER:
Claude Frollo
Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral and the most powerful cleric in Paris, he is the
reluctant caretaker of Quasimodo. He will do whatever it takes to rid the city of the gypsy
“vermin,” even as he lusts after Esmeralda. Calculating, manipulative, and obsessive.
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: E2
Jehan Frollo
Claude’s reckless younger brother. With the gypsy Florika, he fathers Quasimodo, who he
leaves in his brother’s care. Wild, passionate, and strong-willed.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Florika
A gypsy and Quasimodo’s mother.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Father Dupin
A priest of Notre Dame and Claude and Jehan’s guardian.
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: A3
Vocal range bottom: C3
Quasimodo
The deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame and Claude Frollo’s charge. Lonely and
staunchly obedient to Frollo, he possesses a vivid imagination that brings to life the bells
and gargoyles of the cathedral. Despite his shyness and uncertainty, he quickly befriends
Esmeralda. Big-hearted, and brave when need be.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: Bb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Clopin Trouillefou
The clever and charismatic King of the Gypsies. An air of mystery surrounds Clopin, who
often leaves the scene in a puff of smoke. As the master of ceremonies for the Feast of
Fools, he is witty and playful, but he boasts a darker, serious nature when not performing
for the crowd.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Esmeralda
A beautiful and free-spirited gypsy who possesses the strong sense of justice and morality
that Frollo lacks. Compassionate, she frees Quasimodo from the frenzied mob at the
Feast of Fools and, against her better judgment, falls for the cocky Phoebus.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: E3
King Louis XI
Tribunal
A judicial officer.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 50
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Madam
Owner of a brothel and safe haven for gypsies.
Gender: female
Age: 35 to 50
Saint Aphrodisius
A stained-glass image that comes to life.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: B3
Gargoyles/Statues
They reflect the mind of Quasimodo and act as his supporters and advisors
Gender: both
QUESTION:
WHAT IS THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME ABOUT?
ANSWER:
Act One
A company of actors emerges, intoning a Latin chant ("Olim") with the onstage Choir. As
"The Bells of Notre Dame" echo throughout the cathedral/theater, the Congregation narrates
the dawn of the Feast of Fools, a day when all – even criminals (or worse, gypsies) – are free
to roam the streets of Paris without fear of reprisal. From the pulpit, Dom Claude Frollo, the
most powerful cleric in Paris, warns his flock against the wickedness of the festival. In
flashback, the Congregation reveals the archdeacon’s backstory. Frollo and his brother Jehan
were taken in as orphans by the cathedral priests. Whereas Frollo thrived under the strict
rules of the Church, the much wilder Jehan eventually took up with gypsies and was
expelled. Many years passed, during which Frollo ascended through the ranks of the Church,
until one day he was summoned to his estranged brother’s deathbed. Although Jehan rejected
Frollo’s offer of sanctuary, he did ask his brother to care for his gypsy baby. In grief, Frollo
reluctantly agreed to do so and named the deformed child Quasimodo (“half-formed”). Frollo
kept Quasimodo secluded in the cathedral bell tower for many years…
Now grown, Quasimodo is the lonely but staunchly obedient bell-ringer at Notre Dame.
Frollo continues to offer him "Sanctuary" within the confines of the cathedral, but
Quasimodo longs to be "Out There", and so he drums up the courage to defy Frollo and sneak
out of the tower to attend the Feast of Fools. Down below in the square, Clopin leads the
gypsies in their annual takeover of Paris ("Topsy Turvy") just as Captain Phoebus de Martin
arrives from the battlefront to assume command of the Cathedral Guard. Looking forward to
some "Rest and Recreation" first, Phoebus is disappointed to find himself taking his new
positon early and reporting to the reproachful Frollo. Both men are instantly captivated by the
arrival of the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda, as she dances in public to the "Rhythm of the
Tambourine". The frenzied crowd then joins together to crown the King of Fools ("Topsy
Turvy - Part 2"). They choose Quasimodo for the mock honor, but as Frollo predicted, the
people treat him with remarkable cruelty when their celebration of his deformity turns to
contempt. Hostilities rise as the mob surrounds Quasimodo, ties him up, and beats him while
Frollo looks on in cold silence. Esmeralda rescues Quasimodo from the abuse, enduring
frustrated taunts from the crowd, before she disappears in a flash of smoke amid
exclamations of witchcraft. Frollo steps forward to collect a chastened Quasimodo, who
promises to never again leave the tower ("Sanctuary II").
Concerned about Quasimodo’s welfare, Esmeralda ventures into the cathedral ("The Bells of
Notre Dame – Reprise"), where Frollo, still overwhelmed by her beauty, offers her sanctuary
and spiritual guidance. While she ponders this opportunity ("God Help the Outcasts"),
Phoebus happens upon her and they duel flirtatiously. Eventually, Esmeralda finds
Quasimodo, who shows her the view from the bell tower ("Top of the World"). Frollo finds
them there and confronts Esmeralda with his offer, but when she refuses, he has Phoebus
escort her from the cathedral. He encourages Quasimodo to forget about the unclean gypsy.
However, Frollo cannot stop thinking about Esmeralda and roams the streets in the shadow of
darkness. One night, he comes upon a tavern where the gypsies spiritedly sing and dance
("Tavern Song – Thai Mol Piyas"). Inside, a charmed Phoebus seeks out Esmeralda, and their
flirtation escalates, climaxing in a kiss. The spying Frollo, enticed and horrified, runs off.
Back in the bell tower, Quasimodo remains smitten by Esmeralda’s beauty and kindness
("Heaven's Light"). Meanwhile, Frollo convinces himself that Esmeralda is a demon sent to
tempt his very soul ("Hellfire").
The next morning, Frollo convinces King Louis XI to put out a warrant for Esmeralda’s
death, and a search commences ("Esmerelda/ Act I Finale"). Frollo targets a brothel that he
suspects has been harboring Esmeralda. When Phoebus refuses a direct order to burn it down,
Frollo has him arrested. Esmeralda appears from the crowd and a fight breaks out. Frollo
stabs Phoebus and blames Esmeralda, who escapes with the injured Phoebus. Frollo
continues the hunt while Quasimodo watches the burning chaos from above.
Act Two
The Choir sings the "Entr’acte" in Latin.
In the bell tower ("Agnus Dei"), Esmeralda implores Quasimodo to hide the wounded
Phoebus until he is stronger. Quasimodo agrees to help, and she offers him an amulet that
will lead him to where she hides. Envisioning himself as her savior and protector ("Flight
Into Egypt"), Quasimodo lies to Frollo when asked if he knows where Esmeralda might be
("Esmerelda – Reprise"). Frederic interrupts to reveal that the soldiers have found the gypsy
lair, and Frollo declares they will attack at dawn. Quasimodo and the injured Phoebus use the
amulet to find Esmeralda before Frollo does ("Rest and Recreation Reprise").
Arriving at the gypsy lair, Phoebus and Quasimodo are captured by Clopin and the gypsies,
who sentence them to death ("The Court of Miracles"). Esmeralda intervenes, and the two
men warn of Frollo’s impending attack. As the gypsies prepare to flee, Phoebus decides to go
with Esmeralda. She consents and matches his commitment to a life together while
Quasimodo watches, heartbroken ("In a Place of Miracles"). Frollo barges in, sends
Quasimodo back to the tower, and arrests Esmeralda and Phoebus ("The Bells of Notre Dame
– Reprise II").
In prison, Frollo confesses his love to Esmeralda and attacks her ("The Assault"). When
Esmeralda refuses him, Frollo threatens Phoebus’s life as well and then has him brought into
her cell so she can rethink his offer. Esmeralda and Phoebus spend their final night alive
together ("Someday"). Now bound in the tower, Quasimodo believes he is the only one who
can save Esmeralda ("While the City Slumbered"), but Frollo has made him doubt himself
("Made of Stone").
In the square the next morning, Phoebus watches from his cage as Esmeralda is tied to a
wooden stake ("Judex Crederis"). Frollo again offers to save her if she will be his ("Kyrie
Eleison"). Her steadfast refusal enrages him, and he lights the pyre himself. Witnessing the
horror from above, Quasimodo gains courage, breaks free of his bonds, and swoops down to
free the badly injured Esmeralda. He then enters the cathedral with her in his arms, claims
sanctuary, bars the doors, and returns her to safety in his tower. Violence breaks out in the
square as Phoebus and Clopin rally the crowd against Frollo. When the Cathedral Guard
breaks down the church doors, Quasimodo’s last defense is to pour molten lead down on
them, which ends the attack.
Quasimodo returns to Esmeralda, who declares him a good friend before she dies in his arms
("Top of the World - Reprise"). Frollo enters and tries to comfort the distraught Quasimodo
("Esmerelda - Frollo Reprise"), but he finally sees the archdeacon for the monster he is and
throws him from the tower to his death ("Finale Ultimo"). Phoebus arrives, weak and broken
from the battle, and collapses on Esmeralda’s body in grief. Quasimodo comforts him then
picks up Esmeralda and carries her into the square, where the Congregation has gathered to
mourn.
QUESTION:
HOW CLOSE IS THE MUSICAL VERSION TO THE ORIGINAL
ANIMATED FILM?
ANSWER:
WHILE MANY OF THE SONGS FROM THE ANIMATED FILM
ARE INCLUDED IN THE MUSICAL VERSION (ALONG WITH
NEW SONGS) THE STORY IS MUCH MORE SERIOUS AND
DARKER IN TONE. IT IS MUCH CLOSER TO THE ORIGINAL
NOVEL BY VICTOR HUGO. IT RESEMBLES MUSICALS LIKE
LES MISERABLES AND PHANTOM OF THE OPERA THAN IT
DOES OTHER DISNEY MUSICALS NORTH HAS DONE SUCH
AS THE LITTLE MERMAID OR MARY POPPINS. IN FACT, OUR
PRODUCTION WILL BE RATED PG TO LET THE PUBLIC
KNOW THAT IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ANIMATED
VERSION.
PRODUCTION TEAM:
NAME:
GRADE:
PHONE NUMBER:
HEIGHT: HAIR COLOR: WEIGHT: GENDER:
IF YOU ARE NOT SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE CAST WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO
WORK BACKSTAGE AS PART OF THE TECHNICAL CREW? YES/NO
PLEASE INDICATE THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST NOTE YOU FEEL YOU CAN SING WELL (IF
YOU KNOW): HIGHEST:__________________ LOWEST: _________________
VOCAL SELECTION
NAME OF SONG:_________________________________________________________________
PITCH:
RHYTHM:
MUSICALITY/EXPRESSION:
COMMENTS:
SOLO READING
AUDITION PIECE:_____________________________________________________________________
_______PROJECTION:
_______ARTICULATION:
_______VOCAL QUALITY:
_______EXPRESSION:
_______MOVEMENT:
_______STAGE PRESENCE:
IMPROVISATION:
___________CALL BACK