Early Light Academy, in proud partnership with Kensington Theatre, is thrilled to bring back an audience favorite that has captivated hearts and inspired generations: Les Misérables. As the world’s longest-running musical and a true modern classic, this powerful production is based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel and features one of the most unforgettable scores in musical theatre history. Designed to be an extraordinary experience for teen performers and audiences alike, this show promises to deliver the same emotional impact and excellence as our past three unforgettable productions. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this iconic theatrical event: Les Misérables is back!
Les Misérables will be directed by Toni Butler accompanied by a live orchestra under the direction of Michelle Willis.
To register, just click “Buy Tickets” at the top of the page!
Information:
- Registration: $200. There are NO REFUNDS on registration. Registration closes when the 50 spots are filled.
- Ages: 16-18 (no one turning 19 during the experience can participate)
- Registration: Once registered, you are guaranteed a role in Les Misérables! You can choose to not audition on April 14 and be placed in the chorus or audition for a solo role on April 14. Once registered, an email will be sent to you detailing your next steps. If you did not receive the email please email contact@kensingtontheatre.org.
- Roles: The cast will be limited to 20 men and 30 women (the women registration is SOLD OUT).
- Auditions: April 14, 2026, 7-9p. Please prepare ONE song from the list provided below, using the cuts provided.
- Call Backs: April 17, 3-6p and April 18, 2026, 8a-1p
- First Rehearsal: April 20, 7-10p
- Rehearsals: Generally, rehearsals will be M-TH, 6-10p and Saturdays, 8a-5p. The amount of rehearsals you will have will depend on the role you are cast in. If you have conflicts in June, please do not register; you will be dropped without a refund. Don’t worry: We will work around graduations in June!
- Talent Scholarship: If registration cost is a concern, four performers (2 men and 2 women) will receive a 50% talent scholarship ($100) after auditions on April 14. To apply, simply audition on April 14—no registration needed. Please note: registering guarantees a role, auditioning does not. If you register, you are not eligible for the scholarship. To Audition, Fill out this Audition Form, which includes more details (Registered Cast Members: DO NOT fill this one out!).
- Gavroche, Little Cosette, Etc: All roles for characters ages 8-12 (you must look 8-12; ages 8-15 may audition for these roles) will be open only to Early Light Academy Students. Fill out this Audition Form, which includes more details.
- Performances: June 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2026 at 7:30p
Les Miserables, 2020
Les Miserables, 2016
Les Miserables, 2012
DIRECTOR’S NOTE:
I am beyond thrilled to bring this amazing, timeless musical to the stage for the fourth time—and even more excited to create it alongside talented teenagers! Every production I’ve done with teens has absolutely blown me away. Their creativity, dedication, and ability to rise above expectations never cease to amaze me, and I expect nothing less from this cast. Come ready to play, and play hard as we bring one of the most beloved musicals of all time to life. I can’t wait to see what we create together—see you at auditions!
LES MISERABLES AUDITION SONGS:
For ages 16-18: Please prepare ONE song for your audition from the following list:
Please note that not all characters are listed, this is so we can assess your talents in acting and singing through your first audition. All major characters will be addressed at the Call Backs.
Jean Valjean: “Bring Him Home” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Javert: “Javert’s Suicide” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Marius: “A Heart Full of Love/Rue Plumet” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Thenardier: “Master of the House” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Madame Thenardier: “Beggars at the Feast” Sheet Music
Eponine: “On my Own” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Cosette: “In My LIfe” Sheet Music/Instrumental
For ages 8-15: Please prepare ONE song for your audition from the following list:
Boys: Gavroche: “Little People” Sheet Music/Instrumental
Girls: Little Cosette: “Castle on a Cloud” Sheet Music/Instrumental
LES MISERABLES CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
JEAN VALJEAN is the protagonist of the show. It is his life journey that we follow. Jean Valjean is supposed to be stronger than other men, and so physically should appear robust. He should reasonably carry himself as mature and paternal. Valjean’s ability to change is his greatest asset. The key to his character is his great humanity and compassion. Jean Valjean is a vocally demanding role. Low A to High A
JAVERT is the inspector who serves as antagonist to Jean Valjean. Javert is unswerving in his belief that men cannot change for the good. “Once a thief, always a thief” is his mantra. At first glance Javert might appear to be the villain of the story, but on closer examination it is clear that he is not an evil man. He is aware that in society some people achieve control through evil and others through power of the law. He is a dedicated policeman, with a profound sense of duty. Unlike Valjean he cannot change. His attitudes are rigid and unmovable. He is stern, forbidding and lacking in compassion. Javert should be an actor who can convincingly stand up to Jean Valjean. Low F to High F sharp
BISHOP OF DIGNE The Bishop is a good man who saves Valjean with his compassion. Don’t overlook the importance of this role. The Bishop of Digne’s compassion carefully establishes the premise of the show by literally buying Jean Valjean’s soul for God. Low A to High E
FANTINE Fantine is the beautiful young girl who, abandoned by her lover, is left to fend for herself and her daughter Cosette. She is rejected by society and forced through circumstances to become a prostitute. She is a brave woman defeated by life, sustained by her love for her daughter and clinging to her dignity. Sick with consumption, we witness her descent through poverty, hunger, cold, loneliness and destitution to death. She is a noble character, whose life becomes a series of terrible events that rob her of her pride, character, and ultimately her life. G flat (below middle C) to D
COSETTE is the beautiful daughter of Fantine. She is strong willed and loving. She is an intelligent, inquiring, personable girl. She is not in any sense a “soppy” romantic heroine. Once adopted by Jean Valjean, Cosette lives a comfortable, if secluded life. She is challenging to Valjean, behaving always with imagination and dignity. She falls instantly in love with Marius. B flat (below middle C) to High C (2 octaves above middle C)
THÉNARDIER possesses a wicked sense of humor. He delights in cheating, robbing, fraud and blackmail, relishing every aspect of them with glee. He is tough, greedy, brutal, stupid and crafty and yet irresistible. He hates society and blames it and everyone else for all his misfortune. Thenardier is also the opportunist and realist of the show. He is a thief, a liar, a cheat, steals valuables from the dead with no remorse. He is also the comic relief of the production. However, his comedy is based in reality and shouldn’t be too exaggerated. He is married to Madame Thenardier and father to Eponine and Gavroche. C (below middle C) to G sharp (above middle C)
MADAME THÉNARDIER She is the wife of Thenardier. Together they con the world as partners in crime. She is coarse and vulgar, unhappy, and empty in her existence without knowing why. She is romantic, greedy, stupid, evil and larger than life. She is mean and nasty to Young Cosette and able to improvise in nearly any situation. G sharp (below middle C) to D
EPONINE is the daughter of the Thenardiers. She is a young girl who is streetwise and tough, but also sensitive and lonely. Once grown up, Eponine moves with her family to Paris where they fall on hard times. Now poor, living hand to mouth, she survives by helping her father break the law. Eponine is a tragic character, hopelessly in love with Marius. Should be an excellent singer with a contemporary edge to her voice and an excellent actress. F sharp (below middle C) to E
STUDENTS OF THE ABC SOCIETY:
MARIUS is the handsome romantic hero of the story. He is impulsive, passionate, willful and headstrong. His moods change according to his circumstances. He is sweet and tender but also capable of great courage and compassion. Marius should have a lovely, lyrical voice with a contemporary edge. Low A to High A flat
ENJOLRAS Is the student leader. He is handsome, brave and daring, although youthful. He combines his revolutionary ideals with a strong charismatic leadership. He is described by Victor Hugo as “a thinker, and a man of action”. On the barricade he physically and vocally should dominate everyone else. He should ooze with charisma, be a natural leader, be good looking, and have a very strong high baritone or a tenor voice. Remember, Enjolras must lead the students to fight and ultimately die. His death at the barricade is one of the dramatic highlights of the show. A to G (above middle C)
COMBEFERRE The philosopher and believer in peace. He is gentle, humane, strong and brave. Low A to F
FEUILLY A worker, self-educated and an orphan. A believer in “nationality.” Affectionate, warm and poetic. Low A to F
COURFEYRAC A student. He is youthful, passionate and fearless. Low A to F Les Miserables Character Descriptions
JOLY A medical student. Eccentric and light-hearted, although sometimes morbid. His name is derived from the English word “Jolly.” Low A to F
PROUVAIRE A student of social studies. He is kind, softly spoken and at the right moments strong and masterful. He is also a poet. Low A to F
LESGLES A student. Cheerful, laughing at life but unlucky. His close friend is Joly. Low A to F
GRANTAIRE Member of the ABC Society. A student. He is the opposite of Enjolras. He believes in nothing. Although he admires Enjolras, he loves to mock him. Witty and drunken, he is happy being with the group and the put up with him because of his good humor. He also keeps a watchful eye on Gavroche, the mascot of the group, and is most heartbroken when Gavroche is killed. So much so that Grantaire abandons his cynicism and rushes to die on the barricade. Low A to F
MEMBERS OF THÉNARDIER GANG OF THIEVES:
BRUJON Physically very strong. The body of a bear and a pea sized brain. A genuine gangster, he is stupid and evil. C sharp (below middle C) to E
BABET Physically frail. He is lean and cunning. C sharp(below middle C) to E
CLAQUESOUS Tough, dangerous and secretive. C sharp (below middle C) to E
MONTPARNASSE Handsome and dangerous. Kills with a knife. He is well dressed, strongly built and supple. C sharp (below middle C) to E
OTHER SOLO ROLES:
FOREMAN The Foreman begins Fantine on her downward spiral of desperation. He should be virile, commanding and a bit sleazy around the edges. D (below middle C) to D
FACTORY GIRL (GIRL 5) The Shop Girl who fights with Fantine. She is mean, catty, and selfish. She also is most likely having an affair with the Foreman and jealous of Fantine. E (below middle C) to D flat (above middle C)
SAILORS three sailors begin The Docks scene. All three have solos. Low C to middle C
CONSTABLE 1 & 2 They who catch Val Jean when he flees the Bishop. E to High E
FARMER The Farmer has solo lines. Middle C to D flat
BAMATABOIS Bamatabois is the “customer” who taunts Fantine into violence. He is dressed in expensive clothes. He is a wealthy dissolute young man who thinks of himself as a gentleman. He is drunk and in a sadistic mood and chauvinistically feels it is his right to buy anything, even Fantine. D (below middle C) to High D
OLD WOMAN The Old Woman is a nice featured part. This is the character that purchases Fantine’s hair. E (above middle C) to D Take a peek at this coveted role from 2016.
FAUCHELEVANT is the victim of the cart crash. The role requires a few solo lines and some painful yelps. B (below middle C) to E flat
ENSEMBLE ROLES INCLUDE: FACTORY GIRLS, LABORERS, CHAIN GANG, POOR, STUDENTS, LOVELY LADIES, PARTY GUESTS, JUDGE, MISTAKEN JEAN VALJEAN AND FAMILY,
THE CHILDREN:
GAVROCHE Gavroche is Thenardier’s son. He is left to fend for himself and lives by his wits in the streets of Paris. His “arch enemy” is Javert the Policeman. He is brave and witty. Think a young Artful Dodger. Gavroche has a very dramatic death at the barricade. B (below middle C) to G
LITTLE COSETTE is the child of Fantine. She is the ward of the Thenardiers forced into child labor and sings “Castle On A Cloud.” She is a trembling little creature, underfed, beaten by Madame Thenardier and bullied by Eponine. Cosette is small and pathetic and yet warms the audience’s heart. A (below middle C) to C
YOUNG EPONINE Little Eponine is the pampered daughter of the Thenardiers. She does little except enter the stage and taunt Little Cosette. The role requires no singing or speaking. She should be a smaller version of grown Eponine and resemble Eponine in appearance and features. Non-singing
PETIT GERVAIS is a minor but pivotal character in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, a young boy who encounters Jean Valjean, loses a coin to him, and whose pleas for it back trigger Valjean’s moral crisis, leading to his transformation.
YOUNG GAVROCHE is the tiny Gavoche at the Thernardier’s Inn. Abused and forgotten by the Thenardier’s. Non-Singing.
GAVROCHE’S GANG Paris at this time would be full of forgotten orphans (boys and girls). Gavroche’s “babies”. Choral Singing.