Auditions for Disney's Newsies
Sunday, May 12 & Tuesday, May 14
Both evenings beginning promptly at 6:30pm
Pre-registration is required. To register, click here.
Production dates: August 9 - 18
Rehearsals: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, beginning in June
Directed by: Kaitlyn Ekstrom-Doig
Music Direction by: Virginia Bailey
Choreography by: Jackie McGerigle
Except for actors specifically auditioning for the role of Les (age range 10-14), this production is open to actors of high school age and above. We are seeking males who can sing, act and dance, for the young male roles of the Newsies and Scabs, several male actors aged 35 and over for "adult" roles in the show, plus several women for the female roles.
Those auditioning should prepare 16-32 bars of any song in the style of the show and bring their sheet music to the auditions. We do not accept acapella singing for vocal auditions. Actors should arrive at auditions wearing comfortable clothing that allows for movement. The dance audition will be taught to everyone, cold readings will also be provided.
SYNOPSIS: Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots).
ROLES:
Jack Kelly - Gender: Male, A4 to Bb2, The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an orphaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West. Fiercely protective of his best friend, Crutchie, and strongly loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Though living on the streets has given him a tough-guy exterior, Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability – especially when it comes to bantering with a certain female reporter. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.
Crutchie - Gender: Male, Vocal range A4 to C3, A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. Though he walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him; when in a jam, Jack Kelly’s best friend relies on a goofy- sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is the heart of the resistance. Though his movement will suggest his bum leg, Crutchie should still be included in the dance numbers.
Davey - Gender: Male, Vocal Range: A4 to D3, Les’s straight-laced, bright big brother starts selling newspapers to help his family earn a living, but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A leader in his own right who is learning to use his voice to uplift others, Davey is the brains of the resistance.
Les - Gender: Male, Age 10 to 14, Vocal Range: Bb3 to Db3, Davey’s cheeky younger brother, is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesboy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Katherine Plumber - Gender: Female, Vocal Range: F5 to A3, An ambitious young reporter, works hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, and resourcesful, she boldy captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. While she generally has no time for cocky, streetwise young men, she makes an exception for Jack Kelly. Though she only has a brief dance solo in “King of New York,” Katherine should have a great contemporary pop voice with a high belt – diction is key.
Wiesel - Gender: Male, Age range: 35 - 50, Or “Weasel,” runs the distribution window for the World and knows most of the newsies by name. Assisted by the intimidating Delancey brothers, who keep order by any means necessary, Wiesel is Pulitzer’s disgruntled paper- pusher.
Joseph Pulitzer - Gender: Male, Age range 35 - 50, A pompous businessman through and through, owns the World and is concerned solely with the bottom line. Katherine’s no-nonsense father, Pulitzer doesn’t sympathize with the strikers, but he does eventually – and grudgingly – respect Jack.
Hannah - Gender: Female, Age Range: 20 to 40, Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Snyder - Gender: Male, Age range: 45 to 65, The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep his government checks coming.
Medda Larkin - Gender: Female, Age Range: 25 to 45, Vocal Range: E5 to F3, Inspired by vaudeville performer Aida Overton Walker, this big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies. An astute entertainer with great comic delivery, she’s a good friend to Jack and stands firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.
Male Ensemble - Gender: Male, Age range 16 to 60. Newsies, Scabs, and many other male roles throughout the show. Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, who are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.
Female Ensemble - Gender: Female, Age range 16 to 30, Roles include the The Bowery Beauties & The Nuns.