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SEIZE THE DAY
AUDITION DATES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9th from 6:00-9:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th from 6:00-9:00 PM
Auditions are by appointment only.
See the audition form down below.
CALLBACK DATE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11th from 7:00-9:00 PM
Callbacks are by invitation only.
AUDITION LOCATION
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(132 Argyle St. North. Cambridge, ON.)
SHOW SYNOPSIS
It's time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney's Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO AUDITION?
NEWSIES is open to performers ages 12-30.
Penny & Pound Theatre Productions is a safe and inclusive youth and young adult production company with a mission to offer the best in community arts and youth theatre education in the Region. We encourage full participation from performers identifying as members of the BIPOC community and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as performers with disAbilities and those of all gender identities, social and economic backgrounds and beliefs. We are looking for enthusiastic performers with a keen knack for singing, acting, dancing or all three! No previous experience is necessary. All we ask is that auditionees enjoy creative challenges, are hardworking and have a love of the theatrical arts!
WHAT TO PREPARE
PLEASE PREPARE A ONE-TWO MINUTE BROADWAY SONG THAT SHOWCASES YOUR RANGE.
DANCE AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD EVERY HALF HOUR.
IMPORTANT DATES
REHEARSALS | Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays from 6:00-10:00 PM
FIRST REHEARSAL | Monday, April 1st
PERFORMANCE DATES | Thurdsay, July 11th- Sunday, July 14th, 2024
CUE TO CUE | Monday, July 8th from 5:00-10:00 PM
TECH REHEARSAL | Tuesday, July 9th from 5:00-10:00 PM
DRESS REHEARSAL | Wednesday, July 10th from 5:00-10:00 PM
WHAT TO EXPECT
At Penny & Pound, it is our goal to make all performers feel as comfortable and confident as possible during the audition process. Below is a detailed account of what your audition will look like.
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Please arrive at the venue 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled audition slot. You will be greeted by a volunteer who will ask that you fill in an audition form and/or a photo release form. They will be welcome to answer any questions you might have about the company or show process.
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When your audition time comes, you will be asked to enter the audition room where you will be greeted by THE CREATIVE TEAM. This team will consist of THE DIRECTOR, STAGE MANAGER, MUSIC DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHY TEAM and PRODUCER.
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You will be asked to perform your song. If you are also auditioning for a dance role, you will be put in a small group and asked to perform a short choreography routine.
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After the audition, you will be welcome to ask THE CREATIVE TEAM any questions you might have about the company, vision or process.
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In total, all auditions should take less than 25 minutes to complete.
SHOW FEE
Those cast in NEWSIES are asked to pay a show fee of $200. Payments made me made in installments during the rehearsal period.
As a not-for-profit, education-based company, Penny & Pound Theatre Productions rely on the support of grants and donors in order to operate. Program fees are used to cover the costs associated with producing a full-scale production, including (but not limited to): licensing rights, venue rental, sound and lighting rental, costuming, marketing and set construction. Program fees do not pay THE CREATIVE TEAM or STAFF.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
* All roles in NEWSIES are currently available! No prior casting has been done for this production.
JACK KELLY | Masculine, Range: (Bb2- A4)
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies. Jack is a dreamer and an artist who is fiercely protective of his friends. Though the streets have given him a 'tough-guy' exterior, Jack has a big heart. Must have a strong voice and sense of physicality.
CRUTCHIE | Any, Range: (C3-A4)
A dedicated newsie with a bad leg, Crutchie is Jack Kelly's best friend. Crutchie has a goofy sense of humour and an optimistic resilience. Crutchie is the heart of the resistance. Must have a strong sense of physicality.
KATHERINE PLUMBER | Female, Range: (A3-F5)
An ambitious young reporter, Katherine works hard to make a name for herself. She is bold, witty and resourceful. Must have a strong voice and sense of physicality.
DAVEY | Male, Range: (D3-A4)
A straight-laced, bright young man who begins selling papers to help his family earn a living. A leader in his own right. The brains of the resistance.
LES | Any, Range: (Db3-Bb3)
Davey's cheeky younger brother. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesboy and pint-sized charmer.
MEDDA LARKIN | Female, Range (F3-E5), BIPOC performer
This big-voiced saloon singer is the star of the Bowery. She's an astute entertainer with great comic delivery.
JOSEPH PULTIZER | Male, Range (F4-C3)
A pompous businessman who owns 'The World.' Pulitzer doesn't sympathize with the strikers.
SPOT CONLON | Any
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies.
DARCY | Any
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. May double as ENSEMBLE.
BILL | Male
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. May double as ENSEMBLE.
WIESEL | Male
Nicknamed 'Weasel,' he runs the distribution window for 'The World' and knows the newsies by name. Assisted by the Delancey brothers, he keeps order by any means necessary.
OSCAR and MORRIS DELANCEY | Male
Tough brothers who work at the distribution window for 'The World.'
HANNAH | Female
Pulitzer's practical and insightful secretary.
SNYDER | Any
The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage. May double as ENSEMBLE.
MR. JACOBI | Male
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike. May double as ENSEMBLE.
GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT | Male
A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
NEWSIES (ALBERT, BUTTONS, ELMER, FINCH, HENRY, IKE, JO JO, MIKE, MUSH, RACE, ROMEO, SPECS, SPLASHER, TOMMY BOY); Any
The hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage. Must have a strong sense of physicality.
PULITZER'S STAFF (SEITZ, NUNZIO, BUNSEN), Any
Pulitzer's faithful staff; Seitz, his advisor; Bunsen, his bookkeeper; Nunzio, his barber. May double as ENSEMBLE.
DANCE ENSEMBLE (NEWSIES, THE BOWERY BEAUTIES), Any
An small ensemble of strong, experienced dancers. May play multiple roles.
ENSEMBLE (NEWSIES, NUNS, GOONS, POLICEMEN, CUSTOMERS, GUARDS), Any