Auditions are now closed
Thank you to everyone who auditioned!
If I am not cast in the show, will I get a phone call?
No, only those who are cast will receive a phone call. There are simply too many people to call in a timely manner. Please check our website on Saturday, September 28th after 8:00 PM to see the cast list.
Newsies
Director: Megan Healey
Musical Director: Cindy Naughton
Choreographer: Sue Dresser
Conductor: Ray Dandurand
Audition Survival Guide
A message from the Amherst Community Theater board about auditions and casting can be found here (PDF).
Our shows are multi-generational for children and adults.
Children must be at least 7 years old and entering 2nd grade to audition.
Questions? Please contact producer@amherstacts.org or call Sam Karlin, Producer, at 413-992-8039
Performances of “Newsies’ will be presented on
January 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 2025
When will I know if I have a callback?
Callback phone calls will be made in the evening on Sunday, September 22nd.
Will there be callbacks for chorus members, or just for lead roles?
Callbacks will likely be for lead roles only. There may be a callback for major dancers, however.
When are callbacks?
Callbacks will be on Monday, September 23rd from 6:00-9:00 pm – Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA 01002 (Link to Google Map)
If I don’t get a callback, is it possible that I will still be cast in the show?
Yes. Callbacks are not necessary for all parts.
When will I know if I have been cast in the show?
Everyone who is cast in the show will be notified by phone by Saturday, September 28th, by 8:00 pm at which time the complete cast list will be posted on the web page.
If I am not cast in the show, will I get a phone call?
No, only those who are cast will receive a phone call. There are simply too many people to call in a timely manner. Please check our website on Saturday, September 28th after 8:00 PM to see the cast list.
From Music Theatre International:
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about auditions is explained in the Audition Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (and answers) document.
Audition Survival Guide
A message from the Amherst Community Theater board about auditions and casting can be found here (PDF).
Important Information and Dates – this handout has detailed information regarding rehearsals, performances, and cast obligations.
Audition Information from the Director
If you are auditioning for a lead, you will be required to sing a song from the show. An accompanist will be available for you to use. No a cappella auditions, please. Below is a list of suggested songs by character. Sheet music for these songs can be found below. Please sing the measures indicated (ex: m1-m29) and in the given key. Our preference is that you sing a song from the show, but if you choose to sing a song that is not from the show please bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist. Each person auditioning should expect to sing one song, even if they wish to be considered for multiple roles. Some people may be asked to sing more than one song if the director so desires. If multiple songs are listed for callbacks, please prepare all of them.
Note: We hope to create a cast of the best performers possible. We will cast based on skills and chemistry with other actors, not on look, gender, age, race, body type, or anything else. Audition for a part you can perform and do not self-select out because of any preconceived notion of who the part might be for.
Please also note that while this is a “dance-heavy” show, there are many ways to contribute. Please be prepared to showcase all your movement skills in the audition. There will be a time to learn choreography, and there will also be a time to showcase special movement skills and tricks including tap, partnering, stunting, tumbling, juggling, acrobatics, parkour, other circus-type skills, and etc. All tricks and skills need to be safely performed on a hard surface, and the audition room is not the place to attempt skills for the first time.
What we are looking for at auditions:
- Do you have any spontaneous, creative acting skills?
- Are you willing to take risks?
- How well do you work with others?
- Can you take direction?
- How well do you move?
- Can you learn choreography?
- Can you dance and act at the same time?
- Can you tap dance?
- Can you tumble and/or lift people?
- What is your vocal range?
- Can you project your voice?
- Can you learn music?
- Can you sing and act at the same time?
Role (Vocal Range, Gender, & Age) | Character Notes | Audition Music Song (measures) | Callbacks (note: you may be asked to sing the regular audition music again at callbacks) |
Jack Kelly (A4-Bb2) Gender: Male identifying Presenting Age: 16-20 | The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an orphaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of New York and make a better life for himself out West. Fiercely protective of his best friend, Crutchie, and strongly loyal to his friends. Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability – especially when it comes to bantering with Katherine Plumber. | Santa Fe (m80-end) | Jack/Crutchie Santa Fe Prologue (m99-end) Jack/Katherine Something to Believe In (m. 99-end) Jack/Davey Seize the Day (pick up to m30-52) Jack/Katherine/Davey Once and For All (m9-27) |
Crutchie (A4 – C3) Gender: Any Presenting Age: 13 to 17 | A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. Though he/she walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him/her; 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. | Letter from the Refuge (pick up to m42 – end) | Jack/Crutchie Santa Fe Prologue (m99-end) |
Davey (A4-D3) Gender: any Presenting Age: 15-20 | Les’s straight-laced, bright older sibling starts selling newspapers to help their family earn a living, but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A leader in their own right who is learning to use their voice to uplift others, Davey is the brains of the resistance. | Seize the Day (pick up to m30-52) | Jack/Davey Seize the Day (pick up to m30-52) Jack/Katherine/Davey Once and For All (m9-27) |
Les (Bb3 – Db3) Gender: Any Presenting Age: 8-15 | Davey’s cheeky younger sibling is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive saleskid and a pint-sized charmer. They should present as younger than the other newsies. | Carrying the Banner (m66-98) & King of New York (m4-20 & 175-end) | |
Katherine Plumber (F5-A3) Gender: Female Identifying Presenting Age: 17-20 | 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, 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. | Watch what Happens (Beginning through 41 & pickup to m125-end) | Jack/Katherine Something to Believe In (m. 99-end) Jack/Katherine/Davey Once and For All (m9-27) |
Joseph Pulitzer (F4-C3) Gender: Male Identifying Presenting Age: 35-50 | 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. | The Bottom Line (m37-52) | |
Medda Larkin (E5-F3) Gender: Female Identifying Presenting Age: 25-50 | 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. | That’s Rich (m36-end) | |
Spot Conlon Gender: Any Presenting Age: 17 to 20 | The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation. | Brooklyn’s Here (m27-47) | |
Featured Ensemble: Newsies Gender: Any Presenting Age: 7-20 | 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. **May double as Delancey Bros., goons, scabs, other burroughs, photographer, Darcy or Bill** | Carrying the Banner (m66-98) & King of New York (m4-20 & 175-end) | |
Featured Ensemble: Nuns Gender: Female Identifying Presenting Age: 18-60 | The nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. **It is possible that some nuns will double as Bowery Beauties and/or Newsies** | Carrying the Banner (m98-113) | |
Featured Ensemble: Adults Gender: Any Presenting Age 18-75 | Including Bowery Beauties, Wiesel, Bunsen, Seitz, Hannah, Nunzio, Guard, Snyder, Stage Manager, Customer, Mr. Jacobi, Police Officer, Mayor or Governor Teddy Roosevelt | Carrying the Banner (m66-98) & King of New York (m4-20 & 175-end) **to be considered for a nun please sing Carrying the Banner (m98-113)** |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about auditions is explained in the Audition Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (and answers) document.
Amherst Community Theater acknowledges, respects, and celebrates the diversity within our organization and local community.
We seek to create community musical theater that enables people of different genders, races, cultures, sexual orientations,
levels of physical ability, ages, beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds to be represented in our productions.
Still have questions? If so, please send an email to producer@amherstacts.org