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Online registration for Newsies JR is closed. Walk-ins are welcome, but we please arrive to the Cultural Arts Center 15 minutes prior to your start time to fill out a form. Parents will need to sign the form.
Description: Newsies JR. is a high energy musical based on the real-life newsboys' strike of 1899, following a group of young newspaper sellers who band together to fight unfair working conditions. Filled with catchy songs and inspiring themes of courage and teamwork, it tells a powerful story about standing up for what's right.
Directors: Brianna Lewis & Dana Peel
Production Manager: Billy Hutto
Questions? Email billyh@seact.com
Age Requirement: 7-18
Style of audition: Auditions will begin with a group warm-up and singing an ensemble cut of "King of New York." All auditionees will have a private audition appointment with the directors and vocal directors to sing a musical cut from the show and perform a very brief monologue. There will also be a group choreography session. Audition material is available below.
Those interested in crew positions should also fill out the registration form and plan to meet the directors. Please be prepared to discuss your theatre experience (if any), backstage roles you would like to learn, and three qualities that make you a great team player.
Location: Cultural Arts Center, 909 S. Saint Andrews St., Dothan, AL 36301
Audition Dates/Times:
Free Workshop - Sunday, March 22 | 4:00-5:30
Audition #1 - Sunday March 29 | 2:00-4:30
Audition #2 - Monday March 30 | 5:30-8:00
Please only attend one audition day.
Callbacks - Tuesday March 31, 5:30-7:30 PM
Those who receive callbacks will be contacted directly at the end of each night. If you do not receive a callback, that does not mean you are not cast; the team might just need to see a little more from some individuals to make a final decision.
Unable to attend auditions? Plan to attend the Newsies JR. Workshop on Sunday, March 22nd from 4:00-5:30. Just indicate your audition date preference on the registration form. We will hold auditions for anyone who will be out of town following the workshop.
A cast list will be posted to SEACT's website and social media pages by noon, Wednesday April 1st, and a first read-through will take place on Thursday, April 2 from 4:30-6:30 PM.
REVIEW THE REHEARSAL CALENDAR HERE.
Please make note of your conflicts BEFORE auditioning and include them on this form.
Character Breakdown
New York Newsies: Race, Albert, Muriel, Nancy, Specs, Pigtails, Hazel, Buttons, Tommy Boy, Romeo, Jo Jo - close friends of Jack Kelly
Jack Kelly - a fiercely loyal and charismatic orphan who dreams of a life out west and boldly leads the Manhattan Newsies
Crutchie - Jack Kelly’s ever-optimistic best friend and fellow newsie; walks with the aid of a wooden crutch
Katherine - an ambitious young reporter who works hard to make a name for herself; courageously uses her voice to cover the newsies’ strike
Morris and Oscar Delancey - toughs who work for the New York World; known to use their fists to make a point
Wiesel - a disgruntled manager of distribution for the World, often called “Weasel” by the newsies
Les - Davey’s cheeky younger sibling who is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle
Davey - Les’s straight-laces, bright older brother who acts as the brains behind the newsies strike
Joseph Pulitzer - a pompous businessman and Katherine’s no-nonsense father; does not sympathize with the strikers, but comes to respect Jack
Snyder - the crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge
Medda Larken - a big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery who offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies
Spot Conlon - the proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies with an intimidating reputation
Governor Teddy Roosevelt - a well-respected, lifelong public servant whom Jack admires
Newsies Ensemble - Scabs (1-3), Brooklyn Newsies, additional newsies ranging from ages 12-18
Junior Newsies Ensemble - Working children, additional newsies ranging from ages 8-11
Dance Ensemble - An ensemble of featured dancers ranging from ages 13-18 for Newsies and Bowery Brigade. (Tap experience preferred but not required. Must supply your own tap shoes.)
Adult Ensemble - Darcy, Bunsen, Seitz, Hannah, Pat, Dorothy, Bill, Customers, Woman, Bowery Brigade, Ada, Olive, Ethel, Police Officers, Police Chief
Audition Material
Songs
Ensemble - King of New York measures 1-20
Link: https://youtu.be/cajkIaacQc0?si=UGx9aHZlbPNfDIMu
0:01-0:27
Katherine - Watch What Happens measures 22-43
Link: https://youtu.be/MVoRqLdv7Ys?si=tJlpF1WpVVu2ncJG
0:30-1:02
Jack - Santa Fe Prologue measures 1-43
Link: https://youtu.be/jMzjfunKeqA?si=DWe2ymJh0hqYc0pC
0:10-1:12
Medda - Just a Pretty Face measures 15-51
Link: https://youtu.be/wFjSwgdyncw?si=vGU8Q0xd0JJSp6Di
0:31-1:02
Davey - Seize the Day Part 1 measure 5-14
Link: https://youtu.be/iHz8d1xf1Bw?si=VSkZoKseaF4_8F1q
0:12-0:39
Crutchie - Letter From the Refuge measures 20-53
Link: https://youtu.be/bGLAoNCjeM0?si=9or-CMc1QFSeCu2k
1:37-2:38
Choreography
Monologue
For all auditioners! Memorization encouraged.
What to work on:
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Characterization (emotion, energy, intention)
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Vocal Delivery (clarity, projection, variety)
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Movement (make a strong & specific gesture or move)
-
Focus (maintain connection to piece throughout)
Here’s the deal: if we don’t sell papes, then no one sells papes. Nobody gets to that wagon ‘til they put the price back where it belongs. Do we roll over and let Pulitzer pick our pockets, or do we strike? STRIKE!