Thalian Association Community Theatre will hold auditions for the final youth show of the season, Disney’s Newsies JR, Saturday. Auditions will be held and the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center at 120 S 2nd St Wilmington NC at 9 am. The musical, directed by Lily Goddard, will run at the Community Arts Center May 1 through May 10. If needed, callbacks will be that afternoon and will include a dance call as well as reading and singing from the show.
All roles are available.
Youth performers of all races and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition.
Those new to Thalian Association should bring an up-to-date picture with them.

To sign up for an audition time, please call 910-251-1788.

For auditions, performers should prepare 30 seconds of a song they feel confident singing.

A typical rehearsal week would be Monday- Thursday, 5-7 pm and Saturdays 10-2 pm.

Conflicts are allowed if given up front. Please arrive early enough to fill out both sides of the audition form.

Synopsis
Disney’s Newsies JR. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies JR. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

Including the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies JR. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.

Available Roles:
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.

Les

Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is excited by the newsies’ freedom and loves their independent lifestyle.

Crutchie

Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with an injured leg from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papers.

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.

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.

Medda Larkin

A proud supporter of the newsies, she offers her theater as a safe haven for their revolution. Look for a performer who can portray this astute entertainer with great comic delivery, while standing firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.

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.

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.

Bunsen

Pulitzer’s bookkeeper who helps Pulitzer come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.

Hannah

Pulitzer’s secretary who is a clever advocate for the newsies.

Pat

An efficient stage manager who introduces Medda’s act.

Governor Teddy Roosevelt

A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. Cast an actor with the ability to portray the maturity and stature of this well- respected leader.

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..

Seitz

The editor of the World who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.

Bill

Katherine’s upper-class friend whose parents own the New York Journal and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.

Dorothy

Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Tribune and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.

Darcy

A photographer who works with Katherine.

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