Audition for our 2025 Production!
*2024 auditions have now closed. If you’d like to be a part of Newsies Jr., check out MTC Expanded to join the Newsies Chorus!
Audition Central
“Disney’s Newsies JR. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies JR. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.
Including the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies JR. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.”
Overview
Auditions open September 1st and the submission window closes September 22nd 2023 at midnight
Callbacks are October 2nd - 6th. Auditionees will be contacted directly if they require a callback
MTC accepts auditions from 7 - 18 year olds
All 2024/2025 season auditions are virtual and will be submitted by video (details below)
Admittance to the MTC program results in a weekly Thursday night rehearsal from 5:00pm - 8:00pm/9:00pm at the Teeswater Town Hall (*please note, there are some rescheduled Wednesday classes this year), weekend rehearsals beginning in the New Year, and commitment to the rehearsal and performance schedule in the spring of 2025. CLICK HERE to review the full season schedule. All dates and times are subject to change.
How to Audition
Memorize the material below for the character of your choice (please note that you may be cast as a different character than what you audition for - choosing a character for an audition is just a vehicle for you to show us what you do and who YOU are!)
Record a SLATE - A slate is a video introduction of yourself. Record yourself saying your name, age, and role you are auditioning for
Record yourself performing the audition material provided below
Once your slate and materials are all recorded, return to this page and submit via the audition form below (the AUDITION HERE Button), between September 1st - 22nd.
Click here to view Studio 410’s self-tape guide
CLICK HERE for Audition Resources
What you can expect:
Everyone on the panel wants you to succeed!! SHINE BRIGHT!
Your audition video will be shared with the panel
We accept 18-22 performers for the production. All auditionees will receive an email October 7th inviting them into either our MTC Program (for Disney’s Newsies Jr), or to our Bite-Size Broadway program.
What we expect:
Submit on time, and prepared. We are not just auditioning talent, we audition preparedness, effort and coachability.
Have your script memorized and performance ready. You only need to choose ONE character to audition for.
Audition Techniques:
Smile and enjoy the audition process. Be your best YOU!
There’s no right or wrong way to do an audition, show your own unique colours and we do the rest!
Show good behaviour
Trust the director's choices
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Audition Material
*Please note that every audition requires a vocal song of choice in addition to the material provided below
*If a role provides 2 sides, please include both in your submission
*A full cast list can be found below
*In addition to being the “right fit”, here is a sample form of what the audition panel is looking for
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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 very loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Look for an actor who can command the stage with ease, possesses strong vocal abilities, and can exude Jack’s tough-guy exterior and his big heart.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range
B3 - F5
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
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Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is excited by the newsies’ freedom and loves their independent lifestyle. This pint-sized charmer should present as younger than the other newsies
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B3
Carrying the Banner Practice Track
Carrying the Banner Performance Track
**remember to include a song of choice in your audition material
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Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with a “bum leg” from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papes. Walking with the assistance of a crutch doesn’t define the ever-positive newsie, so look for an actor who can portray Casey’s goofy-sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Script - Side 1Letter from the Refuge: Practice Track
Letter from the Refuge Performance Track*In the optional tricks video in the submission form, give us your best 'crutch performance.' We'd love to see a video of you manoeuvring with a crutch (either physical or imaginary). Walk around, and bonus if you can 'dance' a little while remaining bound to your crutch.
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
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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, cast a strong actor and singer who can lead “Seize the Day” while smartly portraying the brains of the resistance.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Script - Side 1Seize the Day Performance Track
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
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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, Katherine should be a strong singer with excellent diction for her showstopping number, “Watch What Happens.” Katherine and Jack possess a strong bond.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Watch What Happens Practice Track
Watch What Happens Performance Track
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
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Inspired by the African- American vaudeville performer, Aida Overton-Walker, A big-voiced singer and star of the Bowery. A proud supporter of the newsies, she offers her theater as a safe haven for their revolution. Looking for a performer who can portray this astute entertainer with great comic delivery, while standing firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Just a Pretty Face Practice Track
Just a Pretty Face Performance Track
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
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As a heavy ensemble show, this group of triple threats help carry the storyline.
Passionate, full of character and charm, each of these Newsies share lead and supporting roles.
Includes NEWSIES of New York, RACE, ALBERT, MURIEL, NANCY, SPECS, PIGTAILS, HAZEL, BUTTONS, TOMMY BOY, ROMEO, JO JO, SCABS (1-3) and others; the newsies’ CUSTOMERS; citizens of New York of all stripes, including a WOMAN; the BOWERY BRIGADE, vaudeville performers, including ADA, OLIVE, and ETHEL; and corrupt POLICE OFFICERS, including the POLICE CHIEF; WORKING CHILDREN of New York City.
Ensemble roles require a strong character presence, and quick backstage know-how.
*select one or two Newsies of your choice to read for
Carrying the Banner - Practice Track
Carrying the Banner - Performance Track
*remember to include a song of choice in your audition
*Optional Dance Tricks Video
Above are the roles we will use to gather audition submissions. Other roles that we’ll be casting for include:
Wiesel (Male)
Aka “Weasel”. A disgruntled paper-pusher who uses the Delancey brothers as his muscle, runs distribution for the World and has little patience or sympathy for the newsies. Actor may be incorporated into the newsies ensemble when possible.
Joseph Pulitzer (Male)
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. For this non-singing role, cast a strong actor with a sharp and imposing presence.
Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper who helps Pulitzer come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Hannah (Female)
Pulitzer’s secretary who is a clever advocate for the newsies.
Pat
An efficient stage manager who introduces Medda’s act.
Governor Teddy Roosevelt (Male)
A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. Casting an actor with the ability to portray the maturity and stature of this well- respected leader.
Snyder
The crooked warden of The Refuge. A filthy and horrible juvenile reformatory, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep their government checks coming. Look for an actor who can evoke an imposing and sinister presence.
Seitz
The editor of the World who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Bill (Male)
Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Journal and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.
Dorothy (Female)
Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Tribune and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.
Darcy
A photographer who works with Katherine
Oscar and Morris Delancy
Toughs who work distribution for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point. Looking for actors who can believably portray these threatening goons. With a few smart and quick costuming changes, these two actors can also join the newsies ensemble if needed.
Please pick the material from the above materials menu that best shows off who you are and what you bring to the table - even if you’re auditioning for a role that you may not prefer, we use those submissions to cast the aforementioned roles as well.
FAQ
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Please learn ALL songs provided for the character you are auditioning for. Reminder that each audition is required to have a song of choice as well
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You are only required to learn and perform the provided excerpts for the songs. Please consult the score/sheet music provided to see the section of the song we’ll be looking for. You can find the time stamps by practicing along with the guide vocal track - those will apply to the performance track you’ll use for the audition tape.
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Please sing only what is labelled as the character you are auditioning for. Blank space in a song is a great chance to show us your listening and reacting skills. Place yourself in the number and become your character - you can show us your understanding of character both while you are singing and while you are ‘waiting’.
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If you have a friends of family member that can be off-camera reading the lines of other characters in your script. awesome! It’s up to you whether you look at them or just off them off camera as a voice as you picture your scene partner. Either way. make sure you’re looking above the camera and not off to whoever is reading. If you don’t have someone to read the other lines, no problem! Still wait as if the line is being said, and use that time to react and stay in the flow of conversation.
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You can record your dance material submission over the music in the video provided. Just be sure to not be watching the video during your recording. We want to see you PERFORM the number to the camera!
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Choose any song that showcases the individuality of your voice and personality! It can be anything from a radio pop song to a country song to another musical theatre selection. We’d love you to do 1:00 minute of the song to a karaoke track so we can really hear you shine. Choose any song that you love to sing, that is in your range, and that is appropriate for your age.
Audition Panel
PARENT INFORMATION
PLEASE REVIEW OUR MUSIC/DANCE POLICIES HERE