Newsies Auditions – June 17 and 18, 2024 at Paliku Theatre
Auditions are Monday, June 17th and Tuesday, June 18th, at 7:00pm in Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College. Check-in begins at 6:30pm. Enter through the main lobby. Registration will be in the second floor lobby.
Vocal auditions begin at 7:00pm, with dance auditions to follow on stage.
ALL PERFORMERS MUST BE PREPARED TO SING AND DANCE, unless auditioning for non-singing/dancing roles. See character descriptions below for role requirements. All roles are available.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:
- Auditions will take place on stage at Paliku Theatre.
- Please come with comfortable clothes that you can move in and appropriate footwear.
- Please come prepared with approximately 32 bars (one minute) of a memorized up-tempo song or ballad that shows off your vocal range and personality. Song selections from Newsies are allowed.
- Please bring sheet music in your own key (no onsite transpositions). An accompanist will be provided.
- There will be callbacks as needed on Wednesday, June 19 beginning at 6:30pm. If you are not called back, it does not mean you are not being considered for the show.
- Newsies is scheduled to run from August 8 to August 25th, 2024. There is the possibility of extending internally, but we will not run beyond August 25th.
- Rehearsals will begin on Monday, June 24th. Rehearsals are Monday – Friday 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Paliku Theatre (and at 24-VII Danceforce Studio at the Windward Mall). There may be rehearsals on occasional weekend afternoons as needed.
- Please list on this form, and bring a complete list with you, of any conflicts or possible conflicts you may have with rehearsals/performances between June 24th and August 25th. If you are cast in Newsies no additional conflicts except those presented at your audition will be accepted.
NEWSIES CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
*indicates NON-DANCING role
Jack Kelly
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.
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. Though his movement will suggest his bum leg, Crutchie should still be included in the dance numbers.
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.
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. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Vocal range top: Bb3; Vocal range bottom: Db3
Newsies
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.
Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
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 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.
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.
Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
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.
Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
*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.
Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range bottom: C3
*Seitz
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
*Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
*Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
*Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
*Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
*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.
*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.
Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Will also double as Nuns.
*Stage Manager
Introduces Medda’s act.
*Mr. Jacobi
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
*Policemen
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
*Mayor
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
*Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.