Audition Info for Newsies!
Show Dates: October 16-18 & 23-25, 2026
- Please note that everyone interested in being in the show MUST attend the dance call.
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!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
This production will be directed/choreographed by Gavin Hass, assistant directed by Mitch King
Rehearsals will begin August 21st and run approximately Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, and Sunday 2-5pm.
AUDITION DETAILS:
Dance Call: July 28th 6-8pm – REQUIRED FOR ALL ROLES – SIGN UP HERE!
Acting/Singing Audition Dates: August 6th & 7th – SIGN UP HERE!
Callbacks: August 8th, 10am – 2pm
*If you are needed at callbacks you will be informed.
Location: Cavod Performing Arts – New Holland Location (665 W Main Street, New Holland PA)
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
We are seeking singers/actors/dancers for this production, as well as dancers only!
ACTING/SINGING/DANCING AUDITIONS:
All performers interested in acting/singing roles must come to the dance call AND the general call. Ages 10+ are invited to audition. We will see ages 10-13 for the first half hour of each day. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your selected time.
For men, women, and children, please prepare a one-minute monologue, and sing 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song that shows off your vocal and acting range. An 8×10 headshot with your acting resume stapled to the back is required. Sheet music is also required: an accompanist will be provided. If you are needed at dance call you will be informed.
If you’d like to submit a video audition, please email a HEADSHOT, RESUME, and a VIDEO of you performing a one-minute monologue and singing one 16-32 bar cut (along to a live or pre-recorded instrumental) to monica@cavod.org. DUE: August 4th.
DANCING ONLY AUDITIONS:
Also, those 10+ who are ONLY interested in a featured dancer (no singing or speaking required) role may skip a regular general audition and attend the dance call ONLY from 6-8pm on July 28th. An 8×10 HEADSHOT with your perfomance RESUME stapled to the back is required.
Character Breakdown
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.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 20
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.
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
Age: 15 to 20
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.
Gender: male
Age: 10 to 15
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.
Gender: male
Age: 13 to 20
Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: any
Age: 10 to 20
Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: any
Age: 17 to 20
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.
Gender: female
Age: 17 to 20
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
Age: 15 to 20
Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 25
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
Age: 35 to 50
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
Age: 15 to 20
Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 20
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
Age: 35 to 50
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
Age: 35 to 50
Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40
Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: any
Age: 20 to 60
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
Age: 45 to 65
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
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30
Stage Manager
Introduces Medda’s act.
Gender: any
Age: 25 to 55
Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 60
Photographer
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: any
Age: 15 to 25
Woman
A newspaper customer.
Gender: any
Age: 15 to 45
Mr. Jacobi
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Gender: any
Age: 35 to 55
Policemen
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 60
Mayor
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 60
Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 65
Ensemble Roles:
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty / Katherine understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty / Medda understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Nun / Medda Larkin
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Pulitzer understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Seitz / Roosevelt understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Bunsen / Male Ensemble 1 understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 4 – Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
MALE ENSEMBLE 5 – Snyder / Pulitzer understudy