Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is seeking actors/dancers/singers for their upcoming production of Disney’s Newsies. This audition is for adult (18+) actors only. Any need for youth actors will be announced at a later date.
Instructions for Non-Union/Equity Membership Candidate Performers
Date: Monday, June 22
Please register below for a morning dance call time. There will be a tap and musical theatre combo to learn. (Please bring tap shoes and kneepads.) If asked to stay to sing, please prepare 60-90 seconds of a contemporary musical theater song in the style of the show. You may sing from the show if that is what you would prefer. Please bring sheet music clearly marked in the key in which you intend to sing. An accompanist will be provided. If called back on Thursday, June 25th, songs and sides will be provided from the show.
NON-UNION/EMC REGISTER HERE
Instructions for Actors' Equity Association Members
Date: Tuesday, June 23
Please prepare 60-90 seconds of a contemporary musical theater song in the style of the show. You may sing from the show if that is what you would prefer. Please bring sheet music clearly marked in the key in which you intend to sing. An accompanist will be provided. If called back on Thursday, June 25th, songs and sides will be provided from the show, and there will be a dance call (tap and musical theatre combo) for any actor being considered for a dance track.
AEA MEMBERS REGISTER HERE
You must be available for in-person callbacks on June 25th to be considered for the show.
Production Dates
First Rehearsal: Tuesday, February 9, 2027
First Preview: Friday, March 5, 2027
Opening Performance: Friday, March 12, 2027
Closing Performance: Saturday, September 25, 2027
Production Personnel
Tamara Kangas Erickson, Director/Choreographer
Andy Kust, Music Director
Mark King, Associate Director
Rush Benson, Associate Choreographer
Solveig Huseth, General Manager
Nick Haug, Company Manager
The Show
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.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
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. Gender: Male Playable Age: 16 to 20 Vocal Range: Bb2 - A4
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 choreography. Gender: Any Playable Age: 15 to 20 Vocal Range: C3 - A4
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. Gender: Male Playable Age: 15 to 20 Vocal Range: D3 - A4
Les - this role will be cast at a later date 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 sales-boy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies. Gender: Male Age: 10 to 15 Vocal Range: Db3 - Bb4
Newsies Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, they are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage. Strong dance skills a must. Gender: Any Playable Age: 13 to 20 Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone
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, 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. 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. Gender: Female Playable Age: 17 to 20 Vocal Range: A3 - F5
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. Gender: Female Playable Age: 25 to 60 Vocal range top: F3 - E5
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. Gender: Male Age: 15 to 20
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. Gender: Male Playable Age: 35 to 50 Vocal Range: C3 - F4
Ensemble The adult ensemble will cover roles that include Wiesel, Seitz, Bunsen, Nunzio, Guard, The Bowery Beauties, Stage Manager, Nuns, Photographer, Mr. Jacobi, Policemen, Mayor, Teddy Roosevelt, Snyder. Gender: Any Age: 30-65 Vocal Range: All
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Actors Equity Association contracts prohibit discrimination. AEA is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, AEA encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages as well as performers with disabilities, to submit. Our AEA contract permits us to hire a very small percentage of non-union actors. An AEA Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Conditions of Employment: It is understood that Actor has no prior offenses that would prohibit them from working with youth performers.
CDT is committed to becoming a more anti-racist organization on stage and throughout the company, and shall conduct all auditions in a manner that promotes fair consideration to all performers. To learn more about the work that we are doing, please visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page on our website.