Newsies Audition Information
Director- Ryan Fredericks
Musical/Vocal Director Kelli Griffin
Choreographer- Xandy Lopez
Assistant Director- Jordan Hamessley
Auditions: April 20th and 21st (More Information Below)
Callbacks: April 22nd (More Information Below)
*Auditions are at Musical Theatre Village in Irvine
36-C Mauchly, Irvine, CA, 92618
There is no pay for this production and the theater requires a cast fee that goes towards production costs. Cast Fees are: $125 up through 16 yrs, $75 (ages 17-20 yrs) and $55 (21+) as well as a “Gala Fee” (one per family) of $30 which covers Opening and Closing Celebrations. Cast and Gala Fees are to be paid at the time of the audition and ALL REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE CONFLICTS MUST BE GIVEN AT THE TIME OF AUDITIONS. NO ADDITIONAL CONFLICTS WILL BE TAKEN. Video Submissions will be accepted for those who can’t make it the day of auditions but must be sent to the theater email musicaltheatrevillage@gmail.com by Monday April 20th at 6:00 PM
*Audition Materials can be found here:
Newsies Audition Materials
REHEARSAL AND FAMILY OBLIGATIONS: This will be a multi-cast show. Rehearsals will be Monday – Thursday nights from 6:00-9:30 pm as well as some Fridays & Saturdays. Rehearsals start April 27th and end June 4th with the week of June 1st being tech week. Actors will be called to rehearsals depending on if they are in the scene or song being rehearsed that night. You must be at all rehearsals you are called to. Lead roles will be called to most rehearsals. It is also MANDATORY for every family to volunteer for two shows either doing stage crew, spotlight, shush parent or gala and to put in 3 hours for our set or strike days.
Performance Dates: June 5th through July 5th.
Performances: Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 & Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00. No show on July 4th.
Audition Information
*Please Note: Auditions will be closed. Only those auditioning in that time slot will be allowed in the room. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Monday April 20th Dance Call & Adult Auditions
6:00-6:15 Medda’s to sing “That’s Rich”
6:15-6:30 Pulitzer’s to sing “Bottom Line”
6:30-8:00 Jazz Dance Call (For anyone interested in being Jack, Davey, or any named Newsie)
8:00-9:15 Tap Dance Call (For anyone interested in Katherine, Race, Les, Davey or any named Newsie)
Tuesday April 21st Newsie and Katherine General Vocal Auditions
6:00-7:00 Anyone interested in any part except Jack, Katherine, Davey, Crutchie, Pulitzer and Medda should come at this time. They will sing “Carrying the Banner”
7:00-7:20 Crutchie’s to sing “Letter from the Refuge”
7:20-7:45 Davey’s to sing “Seize the Day”
7:45-8:15 Katherine’s to sing “Watch What Happens”
8:15-9:00 Jack’s to sing “Santa Fe” and Monologue
Wednesday April 22nd- Callbacks Invite Only
6:00-6:45 Crutchie, Finch, Race, Romeo, Jojo, Buttons, Davey, Mush, Specs, Albert, Les, HenryWorld Will Know Vocals
6:45-7:30 Finch, Race, Romeo, Jojo, Buttons, Davey, Mush, Specs, Albert, Les, Henry and Katherine Acting Side
7:30-8:00 Jack, Davey, Les and Katherine “Watch What Happens Reprise” Vocals
8:00- 8:15 Jack, Crutchie, Davey and Les Acting Side
8:15-8:30 Medda, Jack, Les and Davey Acting Side
8:30-8:45 Jack and Crutchie “Santa Fe Prologue” Vocals
8:45-9:15 Jack and Katherine Acting Side
9:15-9:30 Katherine “Something to Believe In” Vocals
Thursday, April 23rd-Callbacks Invite Only
6:00-6:15 Pulitzer Monologue
6:15-6:45 Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah and Nunzio Acting Side
6:45-7:30 Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen “Bottom Line” Vocals
A Summary of the Show
It’s time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney’s Newsies! 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). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Character Descriptions
All Newsies, including Jack and Davey, must dance. Must speak/sing with a New York accent and appear under 30.
Jack Kelly, Tenor (Bb2-A4) – playable age 17 to mid-20s. 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. Though living on the streets has given him a tough-guy exterior, Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality. Only considering 18+ for this role.
Katherine Plumber, Strong contemporary pop mix with high belt (A3-F5) – playable age 18 to late-20s. 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 resourceful, she boldly captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. Tap skills a plus. Only considering 18+ for this role.
Crutchie, Tenor (C2-A4) – playable age 15. 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. Will consider any gender for this role.
Davey, Tenor (D2-A4) – playable age 17 to mid-20s. 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, Strong high vocals (unchanged voice Db2-Bb4) – playable age 8 to 12 – 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. Will consider any gender for this role. MUST be able to hold harmony.
Joseph Pulitzer, Baritone (C2-F3) – playable age 40s-late 60s. 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.
Medda Larkin, Alto with strong belt (F2-E5) – playable age late 30s-60s. 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.
NEWSIES: ALBERT, BUTTONS, ELMER, FINCH, HENRY, IKE, JO JO, MIKE, MUSH, RACE, ROMEO, SPECS, SPLASHER, and TOMMY BOY – Playable age 12- late 20s , are some of the hard-working kids of New York City who go on strike for a livable wage. Must attend both the general dance and tap auditions to be a named Newsie. All have solos and lines. Show us your personality and tricks (turns, jumps, cartwheels, etc.)! Select female Newsies will double as Bowery Beauties.
Pulitzer’s office staff: SEITZ, BUNSEN, HANNAH, and NUNZIO – all sing harmony in “The Bottom Line. Any gender.
Weisel, Oscar & Morris Delancey, and Snyder who intimidate and chase the Newsies. Must be comfortable with stage combat.
Adult Ensemble: ALL VOCAL TYPES AND ALL AGES to play non-singing and non-dancing roles including Nuns, Mr. Jacobi, Policemen, and Teddy Roosevelt.