AUDITIONS
PRODUCTION DETAILS
To be performed at
The Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
8th – 11th APRIL 2027
Disney’s
NEWSIES
Music by ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics by JACK FELDMAN
Book by HARVEY FIERSTEIN
Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI – www.mtishows.co.uk
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 the 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.
Echo Youth Theatre is looking for strong musical theatre performers to audition for this show.
This show is known for its dance elements and we will be looking for strong dancers to play the “newsies”. However, there are plenty of parts that do not require dance, so please do not be put off by the dance requirements!
We are looking for a cast of 31 young people. The “newsie” roles require confident actors who are also strong singers and excellent dancers. The adult character roles require actors who are also excellent singers. The ensemble will all be strong singers and a mix of gender and ages, with some ensemble roles available for non dancers.
Cast Members must be age 10 to 17 years of age as at 5th April 2027.
REHEARSAL DETAILS
Rehearsing at Pilling Park Community Centre
23 Pilling Park Rd, Norwich NR1 4PA
Rehearsals will start Tue 12th Jan 2027 and this rehearsal will be for all cast.
Rehearsals will be every Tuesday 18:00 to 21:00 and every Sunday 14:00 to 19:00 at Pilling Park Community Centre.
We do not routinely call all cast to all rehearsals, and you are only required to attend the rehearsals you are called for. A full rehearsal schedule will be available here before the Audition Information Evening on 29th Nov 26.
During the audition process, you will be asked to let us know of any planned absences – please know your commitments.
We will try to accommodate absences that we know about in advance. Auditionees with excessive absences or who are unavailable for key dates may not be cast, but please come and audition if you are keen to be in the show and discuss any issues you have with us.
Please be honest about any prior commitments. Frequent, undeclared absences could result in being removed from the show during the rehearsal process. If your planned absences have been agreed upon by the team in advance and you are cast in the show, your absence will not be an issue. However, we expect you to have declared all your known absences before casting.
AUDITION DETAILS
Auditions will be at Pilling Park Community Centre
23 Pilling Park Rd, Norwich NR1 4PA
Please make sure you have read all the audition information before applying and that you understand the rehearsal commitment.
There are 3 parts to the audition process and all auditionees are expected to attend all 3 parts of the audition. The Information Evening is optional, but the 3 sessions in Jan 27 are mandatory.
AUDITION DATES
INFORMATION EVENING
Sun 29th Nov 26 : 4.30 – 6.30pm
Prior to our auditions, we will be holding an information evening for potential auditionees, plus parents.
There is no obligation and no need to have already booked an audition, just come along and see and hear what we are about. We will talk about the show, roles, rehearsals and the audition process. Many auditionees find this very useful to understand more abut the show and what the audition panel are looking for.
DANCE / MOVEMENT AUDITIONS
Sun 3rd Jan 27
Movement/Dance auditions will last 1 hr 15 mins and there are 4 slots to choose from. When filling in the audition form, select your chosen time slot. Please wear shoes and clothes you can move in! All auditionees are expected to attend this audition, regardless of the role they are auditioning for.
2.15pm – 3.30pm – Dance/Movement Audition: Session 1
3.15pm – 4.30pm – Dance/Movement Audition: Session 2
4.15pm – 5.30pm – Dance/Movement Audition: Session 3
5.15pm – 6.30pm – Dance/Movement Audition: Session 4
GROUP SINGING AUDITIONS
Tue 5th Jan 27
All auditionees are required to attend this audition, regardless of the role they are auditioning for. The audition pack contains the music for The World Will Know (Resprise). We suggest you all look at that song in advance, but it doesn’t need to be learnt. Please print and bring the sheet music to the audition. There will be two sessions lasting an hour each. When filling in the audition form, select your chosen time slot.
6.15pm – 7.15pm – Group Singing Audition: Session 1
7.30pm – 8.30pm – Group Singing Audition: Session 2
SOLO AUDITION SESSIONS
Sun 10th Jan 27
All auditionees are required to attend for a solo singing audition. We will see you in small groups, where you will perform your prepared audition songs in front of the panel and the group. Each session will last 1 hour, 15 mins. When filling in the audition form, select your chosen time slot.
2.15pm – 3.30pm – Solo Singing Audition: Session 1
3.15pm – 4.30pm – Solo Singing Audition: Session 2
4.15pm – 5.30pm – Solo Singing Audition: Session 3
5.15pm – 6.30pm – Solo Singing Audition: Session 4
AUDITION MATERIAL
Please note that gender or age shown on the character breakdown indicates the gender and age of the character as written; not the age and gender we expect to cast. Feel free to audition for whichever part you wish, and the part that you feel shows you at your best. Please note the audition material includes only a selected number of characters.
Please choose your audition pieces from one of the following – materials you need to learn are in the audition folder:
Jack Kelly
Crutchie
Davey/Featured Newsie
Katherine Plumber
Joseph Pulitzer
Medda Larkin
For other Newsie characters or Newsie ensemble, audition with the Davey/Featured Newsie or Crutchie material. For Adult Character Ensemble, choose from Katherine, Joseph or Medda or use The World Will Know (Resprise) from the Ensemble singing audition.
In order to fully commit to the audition, you are expected to learn the audition pieces and be prepared to perform it several times, taking notes and direction from the panel.
Whilst you may only audition for one character, you will automatically be considered for other roles.
ADMIN DETAILS
Cast members must be aged 10 – 17 to apply to audition for this show. We are unable to accept applications from anyone who is aged 18 or over as at 5th Apr 27. At the younger end, auditionees must be 10 before rehearsals start on 12th Jan 27.
The show fee for cast members will be £80 and this will be due for payment by 1st Feb 27. If this will cause any difficulties, please speak to us and we can discuss payments in instalments or financial support options from our sponsorship fund.
All costumes are provided and cast members are not expected to provide or purchase costumes, other than under-garments and possibly footwear.
Agreement to photographic and video consent for internal use and external marketing is a prerequisite for casting.
Audition results will be emailed on Mon 11th Jan.
There are only a limited number of audition spaces available so book early to prevent disappointment.
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