NEWSIES - Theatre Under the Stars Auditions

Posted January 30, 2024

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NEWSIES - Theatre Under the Stars

NEWSIES - LA EPA/singers ECC Theatre Under the Stars | Houston, TX

Notice: Audition Call Type: ECC

AUDITION DATE

Friday, February 16, 2024

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (P)

Lunch 12:00 noon-1:00 pm

CONTRACT

WCLO

$1328 weekly minimum

SEEKING

Strong singers who move well for NEWSIES (see breakdown).

Local actors encouraged to audition.

TUTS is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities to attend this call.

All stage manager positions have been filled.

PREPARATION

Please prepare a 32-bar musical theater vocal cut to perform. You may be asked to perform an additional 32-bar musical theater vocal cut in a contrasting style, so we suggest preparing more than one in case casting asks to see an additional option. There will be an accompanist on site.

BREAKDOWN

LOCATION

Actors' Equity Association LA Audition Center 5636 Tujunga Ave

North Hollywood, CA 91601

PERSONNEL

Expected to attend:

Laura Nan Peete - Artistic Line

Producer/Casting Director

Kelle Meschede, dance facilitator

Miloš Veljkovi?, accompanist

OTHER DATES

First rehearsal: 04/23/24

First preview: 05/21/24

Closes: 06/02/24

OTHER

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

JACK KELLY (Presenting late early 20s, Male-identifying, Tenor, Any Ethnicity) - 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 friends 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. Sings solo, many lines, some dancing, stage combat.

DAVEY (Presenting late early 20s, Male-identifying, Tenor, Any Ethnicity) - 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.

LES (Presenting pre-teen/teen, Male-identifying, Tenor, Any Ethnicity) - Davey’s cheeky little 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 pintsized charmer. Sings solo, many lines, featured dancer.

CRUTCHIE (Presenting late teens-early 20s, Male-identifying, Tenor, Any Ethnicity) - 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 newsies’ resistance. The performer in this role must be able to dance enthusiastically in character while still physically portraying Crutchie’s “bum” leg. Actors of all genders encouraged to audition for this role, sings solo, many lines, character dancing feature, stage combat

KATHERINE PLUMBER (Presenting late early 20s, Female-identifying, Soprano/belt, Any Ethnicity) - An ambitious young reporter working hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, and resourceful, she boldly 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. Sings solo, many lines, some dance, stage combat

MEDDA LARKIN (Presenting 30s-40s, Female-identifying, Mezzo/belt, Any Ethnicity) - 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. Sings solo, some dance

SPOT CONLON (Presenting late early 20s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies boasts an intimidating reputation and an unforgettable swagger. One solo, some lines, featured dancer

MR(S). JACOBI (Presenting 30s-50s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - Allows the newsies to congregate in their restaurant to plan their strike – when (s)he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is. This role may be played with an accent of the actor’s choice, and the character can be portrayed as a first-generation immigrant to NY. Several lines, no singing or dance.

STAGE MANAGER (any gender identity or age, Any Ethnicity) - The stage manager of Medda Larkin’s club and also the MC of her show, running the backstage area and introducing performers on stage. This performer must be able to switch from a practical, efficient stage manager personality to an energetic and entertaining ‘host of the show’ when they are ‘on stage’ at the club. Some lines, no dance.

DARCY AND BILL (any gender identity or age, Any Ethnicity) - Other publisher’s children who help Katherine break in to use the basement printing press to print the newsies’ paper. These actors will double in other roles. Some lines, some dance

MAYOR OF NEW YORK (any gender identity or age, Any Ethnicity) - The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike. This performer will double in other roles. Some lines.

GOVENOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT (Presenting 30s-50s, Male-identifying, Any Ethnicity) - A well respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. This performer will double in other roles. Actors of all genders encouraged to audition for this role, some lines, no singing or dance

JOSEPH PULITZER (Presenting 30s-50s, Male-identifying, Any Ethnicity) - A pompous businessman through and through, owns the World (a major NY newspaper) 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. Sings solos and many lines.

WIESEL (Presenting 20s-30s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - 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, and requires an exaggerated, cartoonish vocal and physical performance. Sings ensemble only, several lines, no dance.

OSCAR AND MORRIS DELANCY (Presenting 20s-30s, Male-identifying, Any Ethnicity) - 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. These roles require two performers who work together well with good comic timing, but can also be physically intimidating. Although they do not dance, these roles still require a strong physical performance with excellent self-control for stage combat sequences. Several lines, no dance, stage combat.

SEITZ (Presenting 20s-50s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - An editor at the World who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the newsies’ paper. Small solo, some lines, limited dance

BUNSEN (Presenting 20s-50s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper. small solo, some lines, limited dance

HANNAH (Presenting 20s-50s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary. Some lines, limited dance.

NUNZIO (Presenting 20s-50s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - Pulitzer’s barber, who is trying to cut Pulitzer’s hair during the song The Bottom Line and the scene prior. This role requires a strong physical comedy performance. Italian accent optional. does not sing, some lines, character movement feature.

SNYDER (Presenting 40s-60s, any gender identity, Any Ethnicity) - 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. Though he doesn’t work for Pulitzer, he’s happy to team up with him to take down the newsies and get his hands on Jack. This role requires a strong physical and vocal character performance. Several lines, no dance.

OTHER NEWSIES (presenting late teens-early 20s, any gender identity, Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Baritone, Any Ethnicity) - The core group of newsies who work the same neighborhoods as Jack, Crutchie, Davey, and Les, these hard-working kids function as a family that cares for and helps one another. Many of them are orphans, have families outside of NY who they send their money to, or have such poor families that they can’t live at home, so they become “roommates” with the other newsies as well as close friends. There are 14 newsies in Jack’s “Gang”: Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy. Performers in these roles must create unique and specific characters with physical and vocal details that distinguish them from the other newsies. All roles have multiple lines and solos and/or dance features. timing. Speaks with a Cockney accent. Actors of all genders encouraged to audition for this role, solos, lines, lots of dance, stage combat.

ENSEMBLE TRACKS:

Ensemble #1 Nun/Hannah/Bowery

Ensemble #2- Morris

Ensemble #3- Weisel/ Stage Manager/ Mr. Jacobi/Mayor

Ensemble #4- Seitz/ Davey u/s

Ensemble #5- Bunsen

Ensemble #6- Nunzio/Guard/Policeman/Roosevelt

Ensemble #7- Oscar

Ensemble #8- Snyder