November 24, 2019 1:00 pm CST
Are you ready to seize the day? Are you athletic and/or do gymnastics? If yes, then you should audition for this award winning Broadway musical. We will be auditioning ages 8-14 for the character of “Les” and ages 15+ for all other roles. All GREAT actors are volunteers cast through open auditions. We are proud to cast both new and returning actors and encourage everyone of all abilities, experience, and backgrounds to audition and discover the artist within yourself!
DATES:
- Sign Up: The link to sign up for an audition date and time will be live Monday, November 11th
- Auditions: Sunday, November 24th, 1:00pm, 2:00pm 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm & 8:00pm
- Callbacks: If needed, will be Tuesday, November 26th
- Rehearsals: Please review the tentative REHEARSAL SCHEDULE to prepare conflicts for your audition form.
- Auditions will take place at GREAT World Headquarters, Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre, 710 Sundial Drive, Waite Park (next to Crafts Direct). Lots of close free parking available.
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS:
Will be posted by October 21st
Plan to arrive ten minutes early and dress for movement
NEWSIES 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 – especially when it comes to bantering with a certain female reporter. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality. Gender: Male, 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. Gender: Any, 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, 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. Gender: Male, Vocal range top: Bb3, Vocal range bottom: Db3
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
SCABS: Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike. 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
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. Gender: Female, 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
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. Gender: Male
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
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: 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
HANNAH: Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary. Gender: Female
NUNZIO: Pulitzer’s barber. Gender: Male
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
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
THE BOWERY BEAUTIES: Female performers at Medda’s Theater. Gender: Female
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
ENSEMBLE: Comprised of eight actors the ensemble will play Nuns, Hannah, Policemen, Guards and many other speaking roles. Gender: Any
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER: Michael Ferrell
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Aaron Vandanacker
STAGE MANAGER: Mickey Morstad
Please reach out to Dennis Whipple at 320.258.2787 or dennis@GreatTheatre.org with any questions about auditions.