YOUTH AUDITION NOTICE: Newsies - Communication in Action

Title: Newsies

Presented By: Communication in Action

Genre: Musical Theatre / Youth Production

Synopsis: Inspired by the true story of the Newsboys’ Strike of 1899, Newsies follows a group of young newspaper sellers in New York City who take on the city’s powerful publishers. Communication in Action describes the show as a true ensemble production with a large cast, numerous characters, and plenty of featured roles for both girls and boys.

Audition Date: Sunday 25 October 2026

Audition Time: Individual audition times are selected after enrolment.

Audition Location and Address: Thomas Dixon Centre, 406 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101

Audition Self-Tape Due (if applicable): Alternative times or video auditions can be arranged for students unable to attend the available audition sessions. Contact Jules via the email provided on the Communication in Action website.

Audition Requirements:

• Students must be enrolled and have paid for the Newsies program before auditioning.

• After enrolment and payment, the receipt includes a link allowing families to select an audition time for Sunday 25 October.

• An optional two-day Newsies Audition Masterclass is available on Sunday 11 and Sunday 18 October, 9:00am–11:30am at the Thomas Dixon Centre. It covers singing and vocal performance, dance and movement, acting and characterisation, audition technique, confidence, and stage presence. Attendance at the masterclass is not required to audition.

Audition Registration: Newsies Enrolment & Audition Information

Performance Dates: Saturday 16 January 2027

Performance Times: 2:00pm & 5:00pm

Performance Location: Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, West End

Rehearsal Dates:

• Sunday 13 December 2026

• Monday 14 December 2026

• Tuesday 15 December 2026

• Monday 11 – Saturday 16 January 2027

Rehearsal Times:

• December rehearsals – 9:00am–3:00pm

• January rehearsal/performance week – 9:00am–3:00pm

• Some cast members may be required until 5:00pm, with individual call times advised after casting.

• Students are asked to attend all December rehearsals wherever possible, although Communication in Action can accommodate pre-existing December holidays or commitments if these are disclosed.

• The 11–16 January rehearsal and performance week is compulsory for all cast members.

Performer Age: Open to students in Year 4 and above in the 2027 school year.

Creative Team:

• Director – Tim Hill

• Choreographer – Justin Anderson

• Vocal Coaches – Jacqui Devereux & Sophie Moman

Production Website: Communication in Action – Newsies Summer Holiday Production

Other information:

• The participation fee is $600 + GST ($660 total). This covers the complete nine-day program, specialist musical theatre tuition/rehearsals, and two performances. Families can pay $660 in full on enrolment or two instalments of $330, with the second payment due by 11 December 2026.

• The optional audition masterclass costs $150 for both sessions or $75 for one session.

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

• Jack Kelly - The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies. Jack is a streetwise, fiercely loyal dreamer who longs to leave New York for a better life out West. Protective of his fellow newsies, particularly Crutchie, he combines confidence and toughness with considerable vulnerability. A major singing, acting, and movement role requiring strong stage presence and a contemporary/pop musical theatre sound.

• Katherine Plumber - An ambitious young reporter determined to establish herself as a serious journalist. Katherine is intelligent, quick-witted, resourceful, and confident, and becomes both an important supporter of the strike and Jack's romantic interest. Requires strong vocals, clear diction, comic timing, and chemistry with Jack.

• Crutchie - Jack's best friend and one of the Manhattan newsies. Crutchie uses a crutch and lives with a physical disability but is defined much more by optimism, humour, resilience, and loyalty.

• Davey - A bright, responsible newcomer to the newsies who begins selling papers with his younger brother Les to help support their family. Strong singing and acting role with movement.

• Les - Davey's cheeky younger sibling. Clever, charming, confident, and immediately fascinated by the newsies' independent lifestyle, Les quickly discovers a natural talent for selling papers. The performer should read noticeably younger than the other newsies.

• Joseph Pulitzer - The powerful publisher of the New York World whose decision to increase the price the newsies pay for their papers sparks the strike. An imposing businessman and Katherine's father who becomes Jack and the newsies' principal adversary.

• Medda Larkin - A successful Bowery performer and friend of Jack who provides the newsies with support and a safe haven. Warm, confident, astute, and larger than life, Medda is a strong singer with plenty of personality and comic flair.

• Spot Conlon - The formidable leader of the Brooklyn newsies. Spot has a big reputation despite limited stage time and arrives as an important ally during the strike. Requires confidence and strong stage presence.

• Wiesel ("Weasel") - Runs newspaper distribution for Pulitzer and has little sympathy or patience for the newsies. He relies on the Delancey brothers as his muscle.

• Oscar & Morris Delancey - Brothers who work for Wiesel and act as intimidating enforcers against the newsies. Physical character roles that function as antagonists throughout the story.

• Snyder - The intimidating warden of the Refuge, the juvenile detention centre from which Jack has escaped. Primarily an acting role.

• Governor Theodore Roosevelt - The Governor of New York and an important figure in the resolution of the newsies' struggle. A featured acting role.

• Ensemble - Energetic ensemble roles with extensive singing and movement, with opportunities for featured lines, solos, dance, and individual characterisation.