Hunchback of Notre Dame Backgrounder - Quasimodo

Backgrounder by Rachel Rycerz:

Gannon Styles not only plays the Hunchback of Notre Dame -- cruelly named Quasimodo, or “half-formed” by his uncle -- but has also played a big role building the set.

“I used to serve as Technical Director equity houses, and do carpentry. I have always enjoyed it. My first job, back in high school, was being hired as an A/V guy. I ran events throughout the year, and found a passion for lighting design. In shows, people need help with tech jobs a lot more often than they need performers.”

Back in Michigan, while he was working at Subway, or serving tables, he would also be hired to technically direct community theatre. It would give him a chance to do something he really loved and get paid for it. Now he is a Network Engineer and doesn’t need the side jobs as much, but he still enjoys doing the work to help create the world of the show.

This is Gannon’s second show at DMTC; in November, he made his debut playing Oliver Warbucks in Annie. In the Davis Enterprise, Bev Sykes noted, “[W]hat an addition he is. He gives great warmth to the character of Warbucks and has a great voice to boot.”

Gannon clearly brings not only technical and performing skills to the theater, but a lot of thought about his roles and how he approaches them.

“Quasimodo and Warbucks are very different characters. Warbucks is more of a traditional, old school role. A lot happens in his character arc off stage. He comes in a gruff businessman, and then basically has the song “NYC” to fall in love with Annie, to the point that the next scene he is ready to adopt her.

“As the titular character, with Quasimodo, you watch what he is doing. There is more subtlety. “

Quasimodo is also a more complicated character, in that he manifests two different personalities, two ways of interacting, while remaining the same underneath.

“Around people, Quasimodo has a stilted accent, and is more forced; when he is alone -- or with the gargoyles, which express his inner thoughts, he is normal. As an actor, there is a balancing act, in keeping the same throughout. Quasimodo sees himself as going at the speed he should be. “

It is in song that Quasimodo can truly soar. “When a character sings in musical theater, song supersedes words because spoken words alone are no longer enough. When Quasimodo’s world comes crashing down, his internal monologue becomes external passion in song.”