Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Auditions

In the community theatre world, it seems like we’re always busy, always moving on to the next thing. Just as one show ends, another begins. This week we’re moving full steam ahead, and we are excited for the staff of KVTA’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame as they prepare for their auditions tonight and tomorrow! Although these times can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for auditioners, the process is even more-so for directors and those on staff. You really do feel like you’re “rooting” for each and every person who comes in the room. Having a long list of excited, talented people at auditions is every director’s dream! So why should YOU audition for this show? I’m glad you asked. With the help of the director, and KVTA veteran, Josh Hedding-Hess, I’ve created a list of reasons why you NEED to audition for this show!

The music is absolutely stunning. Some songs you will already know, and some will be new. “You will recognize the songs from the movie but will fall in love with some of the new songs,” says Josh. With music by Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast), well-known Disney composer, and lyrics by Broadway favorite, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin), the songs in Hunchback are sure to leave you breathless.
The story gets deep. If you’re an actor or actress looking for an emotional and challenging script, you’ve found it. Although we all love our Disney classics, this live version is based more closely on the novel written by Victor Hugo and is a bit more dark. The plot line is the same, but it has much more depth to it. Josh put it best when he said, “Every character is expanded and it’s not all ‘sunshine and daisies.’”
The staff wants you to succeed! Like I said, sometimes the directors are even more nervous than the people auditioning! Josh and his staff are laid back and are excited to see what each person can do. Just give it your all and let your personality shine through!
You can put your own spin on these characters. Each person brings their own unique experiences to the roles they play, and the staff of Hunchback wants to see what you will bring to the table as an individual. Josh wants auditioners to know, “You don’t have to be the character from the movie. In fact, we like some variation; that’s what will make our show unique instead of just reproducing a movie.”
The production will be fun and collaborative. With a show like this, it’s all hands on deck. There is an opportunity for many people to be featured and this will really be a team effort.
The show has a great message. There are many themes in Hunchback, but perhaps the most pervasive one is the idea that not everyone is what they appear to be on the surface. This is a story of “not judging a book by its cover”, and this show challenges our perceptions and ideas about others. Sometimes those with the most gruesome appearances are actually the most kind, and sometimes those who you would expect to be good really aren’t.