Auditions

Newsies
Aug. 8-11, 2019

If you are currently in your freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year of high school, you are eligible to audition. All genders and ethnicities are encouraged to participate.

Pit Orchestra Auditions

Saturday, May 18, 2019 – 1 p.m.
   Location: Hall of Fine Arts - Webb Theatre
   Auditions – first option

Sunday, May 19, 2019 – 1 p.m.
   Location: Hall of Fine Arts - Webb Theatre
   Auditions – second option

Technician Auditions

Monday, May 20, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.
   Location: Dudley Birder Hall

Cast Auditions

Monday, May 20, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.
   Location: Dudley Birder Hall
   Auditions – first option

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.
   Location: Dudley Birder Hall
   Auditions – second option

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – 6:30 p.m.
   Location: Dudley Birder Hall
   Call Backs

 What to Expect and Prepare

What to Expect and Prepare for PIT ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS
On the day of your audition, please plan to arrive at the Hall of Fine Arts early. This will allow auditions to remain on schedule and also allow you time to warm up in one of the practice rooms found in the lower level of the Hall of Fine Arts. If you forget the time slot you signed up for, please email tickets@snc.edu.

Prepare the appropriate musical excerpt(s) from the list below. At the audition, you will be asked to play the excerpt and to sight read some music. Click on an instrument from the list below.

• Flute (double piccolo)
• Soprano Saxophone (double alto saxophone)
• Clarinet
• Trumpet (double flugelhorn)
• Trombone (double bass/tenor trombone)
• Percussion/Drums
• Keyboard
• Acoustic/Electric Bass
• Violin
• Cello
• Electric/Acoustic Guitar (double banjo)

What to Expect and Prepare for TECHNICIAN AUDITIONS
We would love a chance to meet you and discuss your interest in technical theatre. You will not need to stay for the entire audition process.

What to Expect and Prepare for CAST AUDITIONS
Prepare a musical theatre song, about 32 measures long, preferably memorized. We will provide an accompanist. Bring music for the accompanist to use. Following the vocal auditions, all students will participate in a dance audition. Please wear clothes you can move in and jazz shoes or sneakers with smooth soles. You will learn a short dance combination and perform it in small groups.

• Check in when you arrive in lobby of Birder Hall.
• Arrive early to have photos taken and to get your audition number.
• Everyone must sing! We will warm up vocally together as a group

You will be contacted by email if you are being called back. Call Backs will be held in Birder Hall on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. Be prepared to possibly sing again and to read from the script.

Character Breakdown

Jack Kelly
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an oprhaned 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.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Crutchie
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.
Gender: male
Age: 13 to 17
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Davey
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.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3

Les
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.
Gender: male or female, but played as Davey's brother
Age: 10 to 15 (will be cast with a "younger looking" high school student)
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3

Newsies
Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.
Gender: male or female
Age: 13 to 20

Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: any
Age: 10 to 20

Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: male
Age: 17 to 20

Katherine Plumber
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.
Gender: female
Age: 17 to 20
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Darcy
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: any
Age: 15 to 20

Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 25

Wiesel
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.
Gender: male
Age: 35 to 50

Oscar and Morris Delancey
Tough brothers who work at the distribution window for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 20

Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 20

Joseph Pulitzer
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.
Gender: male
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Seitz
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Gender: any

Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: any
Age: 35 to 50

Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40

Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50

Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 60

Snyder
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.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65

Medda Larkin
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.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3

The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30

Stage Manager
Introduces Medda's act.
Gender: any
Age: 25 to 55

Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 60

Photographer
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: any
Age: 15 to 25

Woman
A newspaper customer.
Gender: any
Age: 15 to 45

Mr./Mrs. Jacobi
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Gender: any
Age: 35 to 55

Policemen
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 60

Mayor
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 60

Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 65

GENDERS - The writers of "Newsies" and their licensing agents have opened up the gender casting opportunities since the original show was cast. Note that there are many roles for both females and males.

Show

Newsies
Aug. 8-11, 2019

Buy Tickets Now

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Disney's 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.

NEWSIES is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Reh’s

Mandatory Meeting for Everyone
Everyone involved in the production and, at least, one parent/legal guardian must attend. This meeting is for the cast, crew/technicians, and pit orchestra.

Parent/Student Meeting: Monday, June 10 @ 6:30 PM
Location: Dudley Birder Hall

General Rehearsal Info for CAST
Rehearsals are generally held during the week day afternoon from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the beginning of the rehearsal process, cast members would meet a few days a week while principle roles would meet more often. The month of June is lighter while the month of July is heavier. during production weeks, rehearsals will move to evening times.

Please be advised that the CAST has a mandatory first rehearsal:
ALL CAST Meeting: Tuesday, June 11 @ 6:30 PM
Location: Dudley Birder Hall

General Rehearsal Info for ORCHESTRA
The pit orchestra will rehearse two to three evenings during the month of July and will be held at Dudley Birder Hall.

General Info for TECHNICIANS
We would love to have you involved as much as possible during the building and set up process. Each technical area will eventually have a specific schedule, but in general, the scenic construction process will begin Monday, July 8. In general, the shop will be operational Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Also, the official load in and stage set up process begins with the strike of "Singin' in the Rain" on July 21 at 5 p.m.

Mandatory for EVERYONE
Technical Rehearsals on August 1 through August 4.
Dress Rehearsals on August 5 through August 7.
All Performances on August 8 through August 11.
Everyone must take part in strike following the final performance.

Who’s Who

Newsies
Aug. 8-11, 2019

Names will be added as more become involved with the production.