Join the NEWSIES as they take a stand in this high-energy, Tony Award-winning musical! Based on the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys’ strike, Newsies is a thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and fighting for what’s right - a message still needed today! This is a show that will inspire and leave you cheering for more!

Direction by Kate Rufener

Music Direction by Aioleoge Lesa

Choreography by Emily Henwood

Assistant Direction by Scot Struble

Stage Manager: Maisie Bunker Nelson

Producer: John Sweeney

Managing Producer: Vanessa Olson

Seeking

The NEWSIES production team seeks a strong ensemble of dedicated actors of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds for all roles. We are committed to creating a professional atmosphere and rehearsal process. All roles are open and all are encouraged to audition- we will be casting Newsies of all Genders.  

Virtual Auditions Due May 2nd, 2026 at 11:00 pm

– Sing 30-45 seconds of a song of your choice in the style of the show. A song from the show is accepted. You must sing with accompaniment.  No a cappella auditions will be allowed.

Please begin your audition video with a slate of your name, height, and if you are available for callbacks

Callbacks (by invitation only)Saturday May 9th (vocal, movement, and scene callbacks)

9 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday May 12th (possible additional scene/character callbacks with lead consideration)

7:00 pm - 9 pm

Rehearsals and Performances

Rehearsals will begin May 26th at 6:30 pm 

Expected rehearsal schedule will be M-Th at 6:30-10 pm and Saturday mornings from 10-2 with not everyone being called to every rehearsal.

Tech weeks will be from Monday July 27th - August 6th from 6:30-11 pm 

No absences will be accepted during tech week or performances.

Performances August 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 at 7:30 pm

August 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 3:00 pm

Please be thorough in your audition form with your potential conflicts during the rehearsal process. 

Compensation

Performers 18 and over will receive a compensation of $80 per performance

Performers 18 and under do not receive compensation and are on a volunteer performer agreement. 

Roles

Performers age 12 and up are welcome to audition. All principal and featured roles (except for Les) will be played by performers 18 and up. Performers ages 12 - 18 will be considered for the Newsies ensemble.

Experienced or first-time performers who enjoy singing, dancing, and acting are invited to audition.

FOR THE ROLE OF LES– Children aged 10 and up are welcome to audition.

Unless strictly and specifically mandated from the playwright, all roles are open and available to anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, or body type.

ROLES:

JACK KELLY: 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 – Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.  Role is open to performers 18 and over, but must be able to play 17.  Gender: Male, Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: Bb2

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 resourceful, she boldly 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. Role is open to performers 18 and over, but must be able to play age 17-20.  Gender: Female, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: A3

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. Gender: Any   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, Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: D3

LES: Davey’s cheeky sibling inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesperson and a pint-sized charmer. Male and female presenting performers welcome to audition for this role. Vocal range top: Bb3, Vocal range bottom: Db3

FEATURED/ENSEMBLE ROLES:

ENSEMBLE: Composed of actors the ensemble will play the following roles as well as Nuns, Hannah, Policemen, Guards and many other speaking roles. ALL ensemble members will dance in multiple numbers throughout the show.  Gender: Varies

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, Vocal range top: F#4, Vocal range bottom: C3

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, Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: F3   

NEWSIES: 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: Any

SPOT CONLON: The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.” Gender: Any - special consideration for female presenting performers for this role. 

SCABS: Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike. Gender: Any

DARCY: The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie. Gender: Any

BILL: The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie. Gender: Male

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. 

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

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

HANNAH: Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary. Gender: Female

NUNZIO: Pulitzer’s barber. Gender: Any

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: Any

THE BOWERY BEAUTIES: Female performers at Medda’s Theater. Gender: Female or female presenting.  The Bowery Beauties will also play “Brooklyn” Newsies. 

MAYOR: The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike. Gender: Male

GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT: A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. Gender: Male

Production Notes: Costumes, Intimacy, and Onstage Depictions of Violence

This production may include staged physical, emotional, or vulnerable interactions between characters, such as touch, romantic moments, and emotional closeness. All intimacy is carefully directed to support storytelling while ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.

Regarding Costuming/Choreography Character Considerations

Medda Larkin - potential suggestive choreography (p. 25- 32, 73)

The Bowery Beauties -potential suggestive choreography (p. 25- 32)

Regarding Physical Intimacy

Katherine and Jack- kiss on the lips (p. 91)

Katherine and Jack- a physical touch to stop her from leaving (p. 92)

Katherine and Jack- kiss on the lips (p. 94)

Katherine and Jack- kiss on the lips (p. 95)

Katherine and Jack- kiss on the lips (p. 111)

Regarding Awareness of Violent Moments Onstage

Participants in the production will be asked in the audition form to acknowledge that the performance may contain scenes depicting moments of violence as an essential part of the storytelling, understanding that these moments are carefully staged for dramatic effect and do not reflect real-life behavior or encourage violence in any form.