Audition Notice
Jesus Christ Superstar
Music & Lyrics by
Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice

 

 

 

Audition Bookings Open as of:

Orpheus Members: November 10, 2025

General: November 17, 2025

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**Please Send All Audition Questions & Inquiries to:

The Production Team at

production2@orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca

 

 

Information Meeting

• Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 pm

 

Auditions

• Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm

• Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 – booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm

• Friday, December 5, 2025 – booking slots at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm

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​Please arrive on time for check-in, administration and incidentals. Each audition group will be needed for approximately 90 minutes.

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Callbacks (if needed)

• Sunday, December 7, at 1:30 pm

 

First rehearsal

• Wednesday, December 10, at 7 pm

 

NOTE: All auditions and rehearsals take place at Orpheus House, 17 Fairmont Avenue.

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Performances
All performances take place at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive

• Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 15, 2026

• Performances start at 7:30 pm except on Sundays, when performances start at 2 pm

• There will be no performance on Monday, March 9, 2025

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About the show

 

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. A rock opera, the musical has no spoken dialogue. Superstar focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. Special attention is paid to the relationship between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, as well as Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene.

 

The musical is unique in that it focuses on both Judas’ struggle making the decision to betray Jesus and Jesus’ human psychology, fear, and anger in understanding and accepting his role as both leader and martyr. The show is a product of its era, permeated with 1970’s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, modern language and colloquialisms, and high-energy dance numbers.

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Audition eligibility

All candidates must be at least 18 at the time of audition. You must book an audition appointment. No walk-ups are permitted.

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Audition booking and inquiries

Audition bookings are online and will be available on this page as of

• November 10 – Open to Orpheus Members

• November 17 – Open to All

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General Orpheus audition notes

• Auditions are by appointment only.

• Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed time. The Production Assistant will support all those auditioning by providing forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions and generally keeping things organized. The audition form will also be available on the Orpheus website to print and fill out before arrival, if desired.

• All those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and perform it as a group for the directing team. The dance routine instructions will be available on this page in the coming days. Following the dance audition, each person will sing and read individually. Sides – small sections of the script selected for the auditions – will be available on this page in the coming days and will also be provided at the audition. All three portions of the audition (dancing, singing and reading) are mandatory for everyone.

• Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably.

• We encourage you to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to your audition.

• There will be an accompanist for each audition. Those auditioning must bring a printed copy of their selected music and in their preferred key, with piano lines intact. Please do not expect the accompanist to transpose your piece. A capella auditions, self-accompaniment or karaoke tracks are not permitted. The Music Director may or may not do a vocal range check as part of the audition process.

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Notes from the Director and Music Director; Character Breakdowns

 

Jesus –Jesus is a man who struggles alone as he comes to terms with the necessity of his future sacrifice. He embodies effortless leadership. In his moments of frustration and vulnerability he should never come across as winey. Overall, Jesus should be a calming influence symbolizing a peaceful rebellion.

 

Male – 28-38,

 

Primarily tenor but with warmth and richness in bottom of range, capacity to sing in upper range with lightness but also with rock sensibility at other times; A2-G5

 

Judas – Judas is a more militant man. He struggles with impatience, fearing that Jesus may not be the man to bring hope to his people, disillusioned to find that the freedom Jesus promises is not freedom from Roman occupation or even poverty. His impulsive anger and impatience ultimately lead him to both deception and regret.

 

Male – 28-40

Tenor with rock sensibility; D3-D5

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Mary Magdalene – Mary is a devoted follower of Jesus. She is one of the women who support the apostles. She is a strong, calming, and compassionate. She alone seems to sense the moments when Jesus needs comforting.

 

Female – 25-35

Mezzo-Soprano; F3-Eb5

 

Pontius Pilate –Pilate represents the Roman empire in the region. He easily displays authority. Pilate foresees the events of Jesus's crucifixion in a dream but is unable to prevent the chain of events, caught between his duty to keep order in the face of an angry mob and his desire to divorce himself from the situation.   

 

Male – 30+

Primarily bass-baritone with capacity to sing in strong head voice for impassioned passages; A2-B4

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Caiaphas – One of the main antagonists of the show. Caiaphas is the high priest appointed by the Romans. He keeps a close relationship to and placates Pilate to preserve the status quo. Caiaphas sees Jesus as a threat to his power and wants Jesus put to death.

 

Male – 30+

Basso profundo but able to reach high baritone using head voice; C#2-F4

 

Annas – Another main antagonist and a fellow priest at the side of Caiaphas. Historically, Annas is Caiaphas’ father-in-law and the displaced high priest who still has influence. However, this part could possibly be a female since it is not mentioned that Annas is Caiaphas’ in-law and this interpretation will tend towards the theatrical and the modern.

 

Male/Female – 30+

Baritone G2-D5 or alto with some octave adjustment

 

King Herod – Herod is jealous of Roman Power. He is forced to work with the Romans, but he resents and envies Pilate. In his attempts to demonstrate a show of power he has made himself a gaudy imitation of Pilate.

 

Male – 30+

Bari-tenor; C#3-G4

 

Peter – Jesus calls him Peter meaning the rock. He is a devoted and loyal disciple, but also a flawed human that will, despite his love and good intentions, succumb to fear and denies knowing Jesus.

 

Bari-tenor; A2-G4

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Simon the Zealot – The Apostle Simon is looking for Jesus to overthrow Rome using force.

 

Bari-tenor; G3-B4; flexible octave placement if cast cross-gender

 

Apostles, Priests, and Ensemble – We are open to diversity of casting and of representation in some parts, should the auditionee, in the opinion of the music director, meet the vocal requirements of the score and should they be the best candidate for the part. A diverse group of apostles and followers of Jesus would add to the show’s interpretation, thinking both in terms of gender, racial and ethnic diversity.

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Since there is no script, monologues will be selected for the audition readings. Auditionees may be directed to deliver the readings in different ways.  Also, due to the extensive vocal range of many of the characters, auditionees may be asked to sing short phrases in the extremities of their vocal range, instead of, or in addition to, vocal range tests, especially if there seems to be a need to investigate capacity for a particular timbre.

 

Notes from the Choreographer

I am really hoping for true triple threats! My dream is to do this show with a lot of dancing. That stated, I am realistic enough to know that this is a doozy of a show when it comes to vocals. I, first and foremost, want people who can move and groove with style. This will be the most important part in making you stand out during your audition. Show us YOUR style! The steps will not be technical - all the more reason to show us what you’ve got in your performance. A video will be available two weeks before the auditions that will guide you through the audition dance from the front and from the back. There will be time to ask for clarification or any questions you may have when you go over the dance with your audition dance instructor before you perform it for us. Please note, there won’t be any opportunity for improvisation in the audition dance, so be sure to note any dance training and/or special tricks on your audition form. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, so you can move freely. The most important thing is to have some fun with it!

 

Break a leg!

The Jesus Christ Superstar Directing Team