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The Warner Stage Company will hold auditions for a Main Stage Musical production of Disney's NEWSIES The Musical on Sunday, August 12th and Monday, August 13th by appointement. The production is directed by Richard McKenna with music director Jim Luurtsema, choreographer Sharon W. Houk and associate choreographer Caitlin Nolan Beaudry. It will be presented on the Main Stage beginning November 3, 2018.
Seize the Day! Be the King of New York! All roles are open to audition. We are seeking a large ensemble cast (ages 10 and up) for this production. There are 9 principal & supporting roles plus ensemble. Roles are available for all genders ages 10+. Numerous roles for young adults and teens as well as roles for older adults and seniors. Auditioners seeking principal or supporting roles must be at least 16 years old.
All auditioning for principal, supporting and non-newsie roles must bring sheet music with them and be prepared to sing up to 32 bars but no more than one minute, of a fully memorized Broadway-style musical selection in the style of NEWSIES that showcases their vocal range. Musical selections do not need to be from Disney’s NEWSIES.
Auditioners should mark their selection with a highlighter. An accompanist will be provided. A cappella singing, instrumentals on CD, Tape, iPod, MP3 Player or digital recorder will not be allowed.
Auditioners may be asked to learn a short dance/movement combination taught at the audition and may also be asked to read from the script.
A separate dance call is scheduled for those performers who do not sing but dance and/or move very well. If you are interested in a dance role only, please schedule your appointment for the Dancer Call on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 5pm. Dancers should dressed ready to dance (jazz shoes preferred) and be warmed up and ready to move. All dancers should bring tap shoes, if you have them.
We will also be casting a “pit choir” for the production which would require singers to attend music rehearsals with the on-stage cast/dancers as well as off-stage singing during the run of the show. The pit choir would be required to attend all music rehearsals, orchestra sitzprobe, tech week rehearsals and all performances.
Please note: Audition appointment spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first served basis.
The specific appointment breakdown is as follows:
- Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 3:00pm (By Appointment)
- CHILDREN ONLY (Aged 10-15) auditioning for the role(s) of LES and NEWSIES ENSEMBLE
- Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 5:00pm (By Appointment)
- DANCERS ONLY (No Singing Audition Required)
- Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 7:00pm (By Appointment)
- ALL OTHER ROLES (Principal, Supporting, Ensemble)
- Monday, August 13, 2018 at 7:00pm (By Appointment)
- ALL OTHER ROLES (Principal, Supporting, Ensemble)
Rehearsals will be held three times per week on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings (7:00-10:00pm) with one Wednesday evening rehearsals on September 5th. Some performers may be called for additional choreography rehearsals which will be determined once we review all schedule conflicts from those cast in the production. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.
Tech week rehearsals will be Sunday through Thursday, October 28 – November 1, 2018. We do ask that Friday, November 2, 2018 be held in case an additional tech week rehearsal is needed. We will be rehearsing on Halloween (October 31st). The pickup rehearsal will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Please have all conflicts for the rehearsal period available, and please note on Audition Form. If you are unable to make the mandatory tech week rehearsals and/or pickup rehearsal, we will be unable to cast you in this production.
The Warner Stage Company is a regional community theatre company and does not offer compensation or housing for performers.
CALLBACKS: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 7:00pm (if needed)
AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Please visit our website at
www.warnertheatre.org/auditions and fill out the online appointment request form or send an email to
auditions@warnertheatre.org to schedule your appointment.
An audition confirmation e-mail will be sent with full details on what will be expected at your audition. Audition appointments requested on-line or by e-mail are preferred, but if you do not have access to e-mail call the Warner Theatre Audition Line at 860-489-7180 ext.151. Please be specific as to the date you would like to schedule your appointment.
If you are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, please send your resume and headshot to
swilcox@warnertheatre.org. If additional auditions are needed, you will be contacted.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 2:00pm
Friday, November 9, 2018 at 8:00pm
Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 2:00pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
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.
AVAILABLE ROLES
All ages are just a suggestion and will be adjusted to fit the needs of our casting.
JACK KELLY (Lead, Male 17-25) - 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.
KATHERINE PLUMBER (Lead, Female 17-25) - 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.
JOSEPH PULITZER (Lead, Male, 35-55) - 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.
CRUTCHIE (Supporting, Male or Female 17-25) - A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. Though s/he walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him/her; 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 movement will suggest a bum leg, Crutchie should still be included in the dance numbers.
DAVY (Supporting, Age 16-25) - 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 (Supporting, Male, 10-12) - 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. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
SPOT CONLON (Supporting, Male or Female, 17-20) - The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
DARCY (Supporting, Male or Female, 15-20) - The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
BILL (Supporting, Male, 15-25) - The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. Can double as a newsie.
WIESEL (Supporting, Male, 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.
OSCAR & MORRIS DELANCEY (Supporting, Male, 15-20) - 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.
SNYDER (Supporting, Male or Female, 45-65) - The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep government checks coming.
MEDDA LARKIN (Supporting, Female, 25-45) - 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.
MR. (or MRS.) JACOBI (Cameo, Male or Female, 35-55) - Allows the newsies to congregate in the restaurant to plan their strike – when s/he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
MAYOR (Cameo, Male, 45-60) - The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT (Cameo, Male, 50-65) - A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
THE NEWSIES: (Males & Females, 13-25) - 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. Strong dancers who can sing well (jazz, ballet, tap, acrobatics/tumbling a plus).
SCABS - (Male & Female, 13-20) Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
ENSEMBLE: (Male & Female) - Male and female singers for the ensemble and chorus specialty parts.
In the original Broadway production, the adult (non-newsie) ensemble comprised eight actors who doubled as indicated below. All other featured roles and understudies were cast from the ensemble of newsies. We may or may not choose to use the following breakdown…
- FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 - Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty
- FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 - Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty
- FEMALE ENSEMBLE 3 - Nun / Medda Larkin
- MALE ENSEMBLE 1 - Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor
- MALE ENSEMBLE 2 - Seitz
- MALE ENSEMBLE 3 - Bunsen
- MALE ENSEMBLE 4 - Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
- MALE ENSEMBLE 5 - Snyder
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