Performers COMPANY
GRADES 7-9- Newsies JR
Our students will focus on character work, acting through singing, and scene basics while putting on the productions of "Newsies JR"
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There will be a balanced emphasis on music, acting, and dance. This program nurtures rehearsal and performance principles, requiring commitment, teamwork, and collaboration within diverse creative processes.
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Our Auditions will be held prior to the start of our sessions. Please prepare 16 measures of a musical theater song of your choice. When choosing a song, consider the style of the show and the range of the character you are auditioning for.
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Due to the intensity of this course, commitment is very important to us. Students will be asked to sign an agreement stating their understanding of our commitment policy.
At our audition, please provide a list of any KNOWN conflicts during our rehearsal period. Further, any student who misses three rehearsals (or the equivalent of six tardies) will lose one of their performances. Please keep this policy in mind PRIOR to signing up.
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September 2nd- November 18
Auditions: Tuesday, August 26 5:00-7:00
**additional Mondays for music and blocking, see below
TUESDAYS 5:00-7:00
SHOW DAYS: November 20,21,22
$375 for Participation
The Daly Theater @ THE SPACE, 56 Island Street, Lawrence
**NO REFUNDS will be provided following casting
ADDITIONAL REHEARSALS
Monday, September 15 5:00-6:30
Monday, September 22 5:00-6:30
Monday, September 29 5:00-6:30
Monday, November 3rd 5:00-7:00
Monday November 10th 5:00-7:00
Tech Week
Monday, November 17
Tuesday, November 18
Wednesday, November 19
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Chraracters
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 very loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City.
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Les
Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is excited by the newsies’ freedom and loves their independent lifestyle.
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Crutchie
Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with a “bum leg” from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papes.
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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.
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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 resourceful.
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Medda Larkin
Inspired by the African- American vaudeville performer, Aida Overton-Walker, A big-voiced singer and star of the Bowery.A proud supporter of the newsies, she offers her theater as a safe haven for their revolution.
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Wiesel
Aka “Weasel”. A disgruntled paper-pusher who uses the Delancey brothers as his muscle, runs distribution for the World and has little patience or sympathy for the 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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Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper who helps Pulitzer come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
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Hannah
Pulitzer’s secretary who is a clever advocate for the newsies.
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Pat
An efficient stage manager who introduces Medda’s act.
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Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
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Snyder
The crooked warden of The Refuge. A filthy and horrible juvenile reformatory, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep their government checks coming.
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Seitz
The editor of the World who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
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Bill
Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Journal and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.
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Dorothy
Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Tribune and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.
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Darcy
A photographer who works with Katherine.
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Oscar & Morris Delancey
Toughs who work distribution 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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Ensemble
includes NEWSIES of New York, RACE, ALBERT, MURIEL, NANCY, SPECS, PIGTAILS, HAZEL, BUTTONS, TOMMY BOY, ROMEO, JO JO, SCABS (1-3) and others; the newsies’ CUSTOMERS; citizens of New York of all stripes, including a WOMAN; the BOWERY BRIGADE, vaudeville performers, including ADA, OLIVE, and ETHEL; and corrupt POLICE OFFICERS, including the POLICE CHIEF; WORKING CHILDREN of New York City
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