• Friday, March 7, 2025 - 7:00-10:00 pm
• Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 11:00 am-12:00 pm - auditions for Les only
• Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 12:00-3:00 pm
Ages 15+ (except Les, which is open to ages 10-13 of any gender)
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
Directed by Courtney Lowe
Music Directed by Mike Lasley
Choreographed by Amanda Diorio
A Note on Casting: We are excited to cast Newsies of all genders! To be considered for a Newsie role, you’ll need to complete the full audition, including singing and dancing. However, we will have distinct roles for "mover/singer" and "dancer/singer" Newsies. If you feel stronger in one area than the other, don’t worry—please still audition!
Please prepare a 30-60 second, memorized portion of a song in the style of the show. (This could include songs by Alan Menken, other Disney songs, etc. Just make sure that it’s a song that you sing well and are comfortable with - also plan to show us some acting choices while you sing.) An accompanist will be available so please provide your own sheet music in the correct key. (A couple of good sites to find sheet music include https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com and https://www.musicnotes.com) Acapella auditions are strongly discouraged.
Be prepared to read using an accent (New York and/or Transatlantic.) This is a video tutorial for a version of a New York accent - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EPO8yjlzt8&list=WL&index=3&t=120s
There will be a general dance audition so please have comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear (you should prepare the provided dance combination(s) in advance of your audition). Combinations and details will be posted at a later date.
We encourage you to bring your completed audition form, conflict calendar, and consent form to the audition.
Video auditions must be submitted to hpct.info@gmail.com by 7:00 pm, Friday, March 7, 2025. Videos should include a 30-60 second vocal audition with accompaniment, and the provided dance combination(s). The completed audition form, conflict calendar, and consent form must be included in your email.
Rehearsals:
Sunday (2:00-6:00)
Monday-Thursday (7:00-10:00)
First company meeting - Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Rehearsal Location: Centennial Station Arts Center (121 S Centennial St, High Point, 27260)
All performances at High Point Theatre (220 E Commerce Ave, High Point, 27260)
Based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, Disney's "Newsies" tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. This Tony Award-winning musical is a thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and standing up for what’s right. With unforgettable songs and show-stopping dance numbers, Newsies will have you cheering for the underdogs and will inspire you to “Seize the Day.”
Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes including intermission.
Contains mild adult language.
Character Descriptions
JACK KELLY
Character Age: 17-22
Charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, orphan, artist, dreams of moving out West, strongly loyal, tough exterior with a big heart and sweet vulnerability, leads the resistance to get better working conditions for the newsies. Has a strong tenor voice and sense of physicality.
B-flat 2- A4
CRUTCHIE
Character Age: 16-20
Dedicated Newsie with a physical disability, walks with a crutch, goofy, sweet sense of humor, optimistic resilience, the heart of the resistance.
C3-A4
DAVEY JACOBS
Character Age: 16-20
Les’ straight-laced bright big sibling, starts selling papers to help their family earn a living, becomes a leader and learns to use voice to uplift others, the brains of the resistance.
D3-A4
LES JACOBS
Character Age: 10-11
Davey’s fearless and cheeky younger sibling, inspired by the freedom of the newsies, precocious, natural and intuitive sales-kid, pint-sized charmer. Should present younger than the other newsies.
D-flat 4-B-flat 4
KATHERINE PLUMBER
Character Age: 17-22
A feisty and ambitious young reporter, works hard to make a name for themselves as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously, quick, funny, resourceful, boldly captures the voice of a new generation rising in their coverage of the newsies’ strike. Sings with a high belt.
A3-F5
JOSEPH PULITZER
Character Age: 40-50
Pompous businessman, no-nonsense publisher and owner of the World newspaper, concerned solely with the bottom line, revealed that he is Katherine’s father, unsympathetic toward the newsies and their strike but eventually comes to respect Jack.
C3-F4
MEDDA LARKIN
Character Age: 30-45
Vaudeville star and owner of the Bowery Theater, big-voiced saloon singer, offers their theater as a safe haven for the newsies, great comic delivery, good friend to Jack and stands firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice
F3-A5
WIESEL
Character Age: 35-50
Also known as “Weasel,” disgruntled paper-pusher working for Pulitzer, runs the World’s distribution window, assisted by the intimidating Delancey brothers.
OSCAR DELANCY
Character Age: 25-35
Tough guy who works at the World’s distribution window with Wiesel, uses his fists to make a point and takes the side of the publishers during the strike.
MORRIS DELANCEY
Character Age: 25-35
Tough guy who works at the World’s distribution window with Wiesel, uses his fists to make a point and takes the side of the publishers during the strike.
FEATURED NEWSIES: RACE, ALBERT, SPECS, HENRY, FINCH, ROMEO, ELMER, MUSH, BUTTONS, SNIPER, TOMMY BOY, JO-JO, MIKE, IKE
Character Ages: 16-20
SPOT
Character Age: 17-22
The proud leader of the Brooklyn Newsies boasts an intimidating reputation.
DARCY/NEWSIE
Character Age: 17-22
Upper-class child of a publisher, sides with the Newsies. Doubles as a Newsie
BILL/NEWSIE
Character Age: 17-22
Child of William Randolph Hearst, also sides with the Newsies. Doubles as a Newsie.
ADDITIONAL NEWSIES
Character Ages: 16-22
SEITZ
Character Age: 20-40
Pulitzer’s editor and advisor, ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
BUNSEN
Character Age: 20-40
Bunsen- Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper;
HANNAH
Character Age: 30-40
Pulitzer’s secretary, practical, insightful; strong character actor.
NUNS/BOWERY BEAUTIES
Character Ages: 20-30
Offer breakfast to the hungry newsies with a beautiful song. May double as Bowery Beauties - the female performers at Medda’s Theater.
NUNZIO/GOVERNOR THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Character Age: 40-60
Nunzio-Pulitzer’s barber. May double as Roosevelt- A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
SNYDER
Character Age: 35-65
The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, concerned only with catching enough kids to keep the government checks coming.
JACOBI/MEDDA’S STAGE MANAGER/NYCMAYOR
Character Age: 30-50
Owner of Jacobi’s Deli, allows the newsies to congregate in the restaurant to plan their strike. May double as Medda’s Stage Manager and/or NYC Mayor
PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CITY - Guard, Policeman, Photographer, Theater Patrons, People on the Street, Scabs, Goons, Refuge House Kids
PERFORMANCES
• Friday, May 9 - 7:30 pm
• Saturday, May 10 - 2:00 pm
• Saturday, May 10 - 7:30 pm
• Sunday, May 11 - 2:00 pm
Newsies is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com