Announcing auditions for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME this April!
The City of Fairfax Theatre Company will hold auditions for its 2025 summer musical on Tuesday, April 1 from 7PM-10PM, Friday, April 4 from 7PM-10PM, and Sunday, April 6 from 12PM-4PM at CFTC’s new rehearsal studio (11216 Waples Mill Road, Suite 103, Fairfax VA) for actors, singers, and dancers ages 12+. This year’s production is The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the stage adaptation of the Disney animated classic, based on the original novel by Victor Hugo and featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Peter Parnell.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be performed at Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) in Fairfax, VA from July 18-26, 2025. Rehearsals begin Saturday, April 26 and will take place at KJMS, the CFTC rehearsal studio, or other nearby Fairfax locations until late June and at KJMS for the remainder of the production. Strike will be held on July 27, followed by the cast and crew party.
We are committed to open and inclusive casting of actors of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and abilities. We also encourage you to audition even if you have never been in a play or musical before.
What to Prepare
Please prepare a 32-bar (approx. 1 minute) cut of a song of your choice. We prefer you to bring sheet music with you for our accompanist, but you may also play a karaoke track from your phone, if necessary. When selecting your cut, we would recommend starting with other Alan Menken Disney (or adjacent) scores or big megamusical pop operas from the 1980 and 1990s (think Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, The Scarlet Pimpernel). Please do not sing any music from The Hunchback of Notre Dame specifically.
Never auditioned before? Don’t have access to sheet music or don’t know how to prepare for a vocal audition? Join us on Sunday, March 30 at 2pm at the CFTC rehearsal studio (11216 Waples Mill Road, Suite 103, Fairfax VA) for an audition workshop. You’ll learn a song cut with the group and will be given sheet music you can opt to use during your audition. Sign up to attend here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FAEA722A5FD0-55702627-hunchback
Questions? contact the Hunchback team at hunchback2025cftc@gmail.com. Space is limited and those who have never auditioned for CFTC before will have first priority.
NOTE: You will still need to sign up for a regular audition slot. This is NOT considered your audition.
Callbacks will be held on Friday, April 11 from 7-10PM and Saturday, April 12 from 12-4PM. We will email you by 12PM on Monday, April 7 if we would like to see you at callbacks and for which day(s). Even if you are not called back, that does not mean you have not been cast in the show. We will be calling back for specific roles in the production. You will be expected to dance, sing a vocal cut, and/or read sides from The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the callbacks. Callback materials will be emailed in advance. If you have auditioned for the production, we will reach out about casting decisions by Saturday, April 19 at the latest. The cast list will be emailed and posted on all social media platforms on Saturday, April 26 corresponding with the first rehearsal.
Sign up here for a 30-minute audition block on either April 1, April 4, or April 6. Walk-ins will be accepted but may have to wait until there is an opening to join a group. We recommend arriving at the very beginning of auditions that day if you’re planning to walk in. You can download our audition form to bring with you ahead of time, or fill one out on-site. If you plan to fill it out on-site, please be sure to arrive early so you have time to check in and fill it out. Make sure to check our rehearsal calendar to indicate possible conflicts on your audition form. We do make casting decisions based on conflicts and may not be able to accept new, non-emergency conflicts after rehearsals begin on Saturday, April 26. If you are unable to make one of our three audition dates, please email us at hunchback2025cftc@gmail.com to submit your 32-bar cut in a video audition.
Questions? Contact hunchback2025cftc@gmail.com.
Character Breakdown
Notes: All vocal ranges are listed from lowest note to highest note. C4 is equivalent to Middle C on the piano. There is a scripted depiction of assault between Esmeralda and Frollo, as well as a stage kiss between Esmeralda and Phoebus. We will be working with a trained intimacy coordinator during the rehearsal process to determine staging for these moments based on each actor’s comfortability.
Quasimodo: Lead. Tenor, Bb2 to Bb4. The titular 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, tender, and brave when he needs to be.
Esmeralda: Lead. Mezzo-soprano belter, Eb3 to Db5. An independent and strong-willed Romani woman who speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes in. Compassionate and principled, she possesses the strong sense of justice and morality that others may lack. We are seeking to cast a BIPOC actor in this role. Must be a true triple threat. This role requires onstage intimacy, see note for further detail.
Claude Frollo: Lead. Bass-baritone, E2 to D4. Archdeacon of Notre Dame and the most powerful cleric in Paris, he possesses a strong sense of obligation to the memory of his brother Jehan and his ward Quasimodo. He will do whatever it takes to rid the city of the Roma “vermin,” even as he lusts after Esmeralda. Calculating, manipulative, and obsessive. This role requires onstage intimacy, see note for further detail.
Captain Phoebus de Martin: Lead. Bari-tenor, Ab2 to Ab4. The dashing new Captain of the Cathedral Guard. Conflicted between following his duty and doing what’s right, he struggles with the trauma he experienced in four years of intense battle on the warfront. Charming and arrogant, Phoebus focuses on enjoying life’s pleasures before quickly falling for Esmeralda and ultimately defying Frollo. This role requires onstage intimacy, see note for further detail.
Clopin Trouillefou: Lead. Mezzo-soprano, approx. E3 to C5. A clever and charismatic Romani entertainer who narrates our story. While an air of mystery surrounds Clopin, she remains acutely aware of the prejudice against the Roma. As the master of ceremonies for the Feast of Fools, she is witty and playful, but she boasts a darker, serious nature when not performing for the crowd. We are seeking to cast a BIPOC actor in this role. Strong dancing is preferred.
Storytellers: Supporting. Six actors of varying voice types. The troupe of performers that travel throughout Paris. These individuals serve as the narrators of our story alongside Clopin. We are seeing a mix of strong personalities who are able to carry the narrative weight of the production. Strong dancing is preferred.
Gargoyles & Statues: Supporting. Six actors of varying voice types. The gargoyles and statues that surround Quasimodo in this bell tower, brought to vivid life through Quasimodo’s imagination. We are seeking a mix of strong personalities to represent the breadth of Quasimodo’s inner life. The role of Saint Aphrodisius will be cast from this group.
Lieutenant Frederic Charlus: Supporting. Male character of any voice type. Lieutenant of the Cathedral Guard, his loyalty to his commanding officer Phoebus is tested in a moment of crisis.
Soldiers: Featured Ensemble. The Cathedral Guard under the command of Phoebus, and later, the military force under Frollo’s command that persecutes the Roma once martial law is enacted.
People of Paris: Ensemble. The ordinary “rabble” of Paris who must learn to confront their prejudices and rise up against the oppression of the Church. The below Featured Roles will be cast from this ensemble group. Actors of all ages (12+) will bring Victor Hugo’s Paris to life!
Featured Roles include:
Young Claude Frollo: Baritone, B2 to B3. A young disciple of Notre Dame faced with an impossible decision upon his wayward brother’s death.
Jehan Frollo: Baritone, G#2 to Eb4. Claude Frollo’s wild and charming younger brother and the father of Quasimodo.
Florika: Soprano, C#4 to F5. Jehan’s Romani lover and the mother of Quasimodo. We are seeking to cast a BIPOC actor in this role.
Father Dupin: Baritone, C3 to A3. A devout priest of Notre Dame and stern guardian of a young Claude and Jehan Frollo.
King Louis XI: Actor of any voice type. Reigning monarch of France. Though nicknamed “The Prudent,” would rather act quickly than appear weak.
Official: Baritone, G2 to E4. The judicial officer responsible for relaying warrants of arrest to the people of Paris.
Madam: Female character of any voice type. Stalwart proprietress of a brothel that functions as a safe haven for the Roma of Paris. Strong presence required.