Directed by Ashley McCormack

Assistant Director - Mary Helen McCord

Choreography by K. Brooke Jerome & Riley Payne

Vocal Director - Jennifer Rushton

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Stop the presses! This Disney film turned Tony-winning Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what's right and seize the day.​

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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.

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This production will be presented at the Heindl Center in Senatobia, MS. 

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Audition Information for Disney’s Newsies

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DeSoto Family Theatre is excited to announce auditions for our upcoming production of Newsies, our debut performance at the Heindl Center!

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Audition Workshop
Wednesday, July 9 | 6:00–7:00 PM

• This optional workshop will focus on teaching the audition dance combination. Attendance is strongly encouraged for those planning to audition, especially if you’d like extra time to learn and feel confident before the dance call. CLICK TO REGISTER!

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Auditions - DAY 1
Wednesday, July 9 | 7:00–9:00 PM

• Vocal auditions will take place immediately following the workshop. A mandatory dance audition will begin at 7pm prior to individual vocal auditions. Click here to reserve your audition time.

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Auditions - DAY 2

Saturday, July 12 | 2:00 PM

• We will begin with a dance call at 2pm. All those auditioning are required to attend the dance call. Please wear appropriate footwear and attire for movement.

• Vocal auditions will continue by individual appointment following the dance call. Click here to reserve your audition time.

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Callbacks
Sunday, July 13 | 6:00 PM

• Callbacks will be held by invitation only. Those selected for callbacks will be notified Saturday evening.​

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All performers interested in being considered for a role must reserve a vocal audition appointment on either Wednesday, July 9 or Saturday, July 12. Please click here to select your time slot. In addition, all adult auditionees are required to attend a mandatory dance call on Wednesday, July 9 at 7:30 PM or Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 PM. If you are unable to attend either dance call, please contact us at artisticdirectordft@gmail.com.​​​​​​​

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Audition Location:

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Wednesday, July 9

The Gin at Nesbit

931 Nesbit Rd

Nesbit, MS 38651

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Saturday, July 12

LRP Studios

1672 Mississippi Valley Blvd

Southaven, MS 38671​​

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DeSoto Family Theatre is currently casting all roles in Disney's Newsies. Actors ages 10+.​

WHAT TO PREPARE: Please prepare 32 bars (30-60 seconds) of a song that best suits your vocal range. We recommend you sing a song from the show, but you are welcome to bring a song in the style of the show. We will provide tracks from the show. If you are singing a song that is not from the show, please provide your own track. A bluetooth speaker will be provided. No Acapella auditions. If you have any questions, email artisticdirectordft@gmail.com. Click here to listen to the soundtrack on YouTube.

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 WHAT TO BRING:   Please bring an 8x10 headshot and résumé stapled. If you do not have a headshot, please bring a current photo. Bring a completed audition form. You can find this form at the bottom of this page. 

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If you are unable to attend auditions on July 9 or July 11, please contact artisticdirectordft@gmail.com for details on how you may submit a video audition. ​

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Rehearsals begin August 5. A tentative rehearsal schedule can be viewed here.​
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​CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

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Jack Kelly

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 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. **Please prepare end of "Santa Fe" for your initial vocal audition. You should begin at "Santa Fe, my old friend..."** Click here for instrumental track to rehearse.

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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. **Please prepare the end of "Watch What Happens" for your initial vocal audition. You should begin at "Give those kids and me..."** Click here for intrumental track to rehearse.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Scabs

Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.

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Spot Conlon

The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”

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Darcy

The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. 

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Bill

The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause.

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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.

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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.

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Goons

Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies.

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Seitz

Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.

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Bunsen

Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.

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Hannah

Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.

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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.

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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.

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The Bowery Beauties

Female performers at Medda’s Theater.

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Ensemble 

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DFT is committed to equitable and inclusive casting practices.​​​​​​​​​​​​