Newsies!
is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
This production is for youth ages 10-18. Younger youth are encouraged to audition for our Rudolph Jr. production.
Please read all the info below before registering.
AUDITION LIST IS NOW
FULL & CLOSED
Show Summary
It's time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney's Newsies! 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!
The production capped at 50 students is about 2hrs in length and is rated PG by MTI.
Cast Roles & Other Show Details Can Be Found Here
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Artistic & Leadership Team
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Director​ - Shanae Tullis
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Music Director - Rebecca Stager
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Choreographer - Margaret Goreman
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Producer - Kim Wallace
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A Note About Artistic Direction
Based on the true events of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City, Newsies follows the story of Jack Kelly, a charismatic young man who leads a ragtag group of youth selling newspapers, though he yearns to leave the city behind and head west to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He meets Davey and Les, brothers who are looking for a way to help support their family after their father was injured on the job. As Davey and Les settle into the life of newsboys, newspaper tycoon and owner of The World, Joseph Pulitzer, raises the price newsies must pay for their papers. Jack and Davey, inspired by the idea of unions and driven by the need to protect the vulnerable community of newsboys, rally for a strike: lower the price of the papers back down or no newspapers will be circulated by the newsies. As word spreads, Katherine Plummer, a reporter for a competing paper, The Sun, decides to follow the story and write an article about the struggles of the newsies and their leaders. The effects of that article set into motion a story about speaking truth to power, having the courage to do what is right when the odds are stacked against you, and the importance of community and friendship in times of trouble. ​
Important Dates
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Auditions: September 5th. Audition slots between 6-9pm
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Callbacks: September 6th 9-1pm.
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Rehearsals
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Friday​s 6-9pm. Starting Sept. 12th
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Saturday 9-2pm. Starting Sept. 13th
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No Rehearsal Friday Oct. 31st.
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Required Parent/Volunteer Meeting
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​Sept 12th, 7:30-9pm (New families & Committee Chairs). All others, 8pm-9pm
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Nov 14th, 8-9pm: New families Only (Returning families not required to attend.)
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Tech Week (All Cast & Crew Required)
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Nov. 30th 12pm-6pm - Set Move-In at Milwaukie High School. ​
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Dec. 1st-4th, 6pm-9:15pm
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Performances (All Cast & Crew Required)
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Dec 5th., 7pm (6pm Call Time)​
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Dec. 6th & 7th, 2pm (1pm Call Time)
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HOLD FOR POSSIBLE SHOW ADD: Dec 7th, 7pm (6pm Call)
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Dec. 12th, 7pm (6pm Call Time)
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Dec. 13th, 2pm (12pm Call time for cast photos)
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HOLD FOR POSSIBLE SHOW ADD: Dec 13th, 7pm (6pm Call)
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Dec. 14th: 2pm Show (12:30 Call Time) with stike afterwards. ​​
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Questions? Email Production Coordinator Kim Wallace at kimw@imaginetheatre.org
Cast Participation Details
Age, Cost, Expectations, & More!
​Imagine's heart is to allow all students to experience the arts. The following requirements/expectations are in place to ensure a well-maintained community and efficient program. ​
Age: This production is open to youth ages 10-18. Younger youth are encouraged to audition for our Studio Production, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. Youth aged 10-11 will be primarily cast in limited ensemble roles due to the content of the shows (on-stage combat, language, etc.).
Pre-Requisites: No prior drama/dance/music experience required. ​
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Community Commitment: Imagine's Student Expectation & Code of Conduct communicates the expectations of students who participate in Imagine Programming. This covers electronic/cell phone expectations, behavior expectations, and general safety considerations.
Students and families/guardians will be required to sign the Student Expectations document, affirming that they have read it and agree to uphold these standards. ​Read the document here.
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Our Class-Show Promise: Enrollment in an Imagine class in not required BUT students enrolled in a class, private lessons, or are in the Thespian Troupe through Imagine are guaranteed a role in the show. This means students in these programs will not be cut from the production if the cast limit is exceeded.
Students enrolled in a class/lesson/troupe will also receive $20 off their production fee. To learn about our class options and to register, please imaginetheatre.org/class visit imaginetheatre.org/classes.
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- ​*For Fall '25 students ages 7-18 may use our Class-Show Promise for Rudolph Jr. Students ages 12-18 may use the Class-Show Promise for Newsies. Students ages 10-11 who audition for Newsies may still be cut due to cast size, but will be guaranteed/offered a role in Rudolph Jr but will be required to attend the callbacks for Rudolph. ​​​​​​​
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Production Cap: The production capped at 50 students. Students ages 12-18 may use the Class-Show Promise to secure their spot in this production. If you do not qualify for the Class-Show Promise then you are will be offered a Newsie Crew role, or the option to be in the Rudolph Jr Cast.
Parent/Adult Volunteer: Imagine Theatre cast members are expected to have one adult (typically a parent, relative, or guardian) participate in a Show Committee(s). The cast member may not be their own representative. Shows take lots of work, plus show committees are a fun way to meet other families and bond as a community!
More information about the show and committees will be discussed at the required committee meeting. Committee members will communicate their schedule and skills for committee placement consideration.
​Read about volunteer/parent/guardian involvement expectations here
Costs
- ​Show Fee: $190 (payable in two installments) for cast members. No fee for crew members. This fee covers administrative costs and gets students a show sticker, digital link to photos, and 1 comp (free) ticket. (Max of 3 comp tickets per family unit) ​
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​Optional Items For Purchase: When paying for the production fee, cast members are given the opportunity to purchase a show shirt (not required), and other additional items (Show Posters, digital recording, show button, etc.). Cost for these optional items listed here.
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Other Costs: Students/families should be prepared to have/provide:
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A simple base layer of clothing that will be under their costumes (Costumes are provide. Generic clothing items, like a t-shirt, may be requested from home.)
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Generic socks. (Specialty socks provided.)
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Appropriately sized basic Character & Jazz shoes. Tap shoes required if student is tapping in the production
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Generic make-up if required (Specialty make-up and training provided if required)
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Showbox: A storage container that holds their person items, makeup, street clothes, snacks, water, etc. during the show run.
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*Please let us know if you do not have any of these items and we will happily work with you to find a solution.
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​Scholarships: Scholarships are available for any Imagine Theatre program, including production fees. ​View our Scholarship Guidance document, and the required steps, here!​
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Accepting Roles: Per Imagine policy it is assumed students will accept any role they are given. As an educational organization, we are focused on placing students in roles that will encourage growth. Imagine does not refund class/program costs due to casting drops post-cast list.
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Attendance: Prior to the casting process, students/families will be given the opportunity to declare any date conflicts. These conflicts will be considered when casting and crafting the schedule. Conflict disclosed after the casting process will be considered on a case-by-case basis as last-minute conflicts place a huge strain on the whole schedule and cast. Students who have unapproved/undeclared absences (beyond being sick or having family emergencies) may be pulled from the numbers/scenes that are missed. Multiple unapproved absences may result in being cut from the cast with no refunds. ​
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Health & Safety:
Questions? Email Production Coordinator Kim Wallace at kimw@imaginetheatre.org
Crew Participation Details
Age, Cost, Expectations, & More...
We are looking to fill the following crew roles for this production of Newsies!
Cost: Free!​
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Attendance: Crew must attend Move-In, ALL of tech week, and each performance dates/times as listed above. Other rehearsals (such as stumble throughs) may be added in coordination with the crew team's schedules.​​
Crew Role:
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Stage Manager (ages 14+): The Stage Manager keeps track of cast members, attendance, blocking, set movement and miscellaneous details during rehearsals and production of a stage performance. They also attend all rehearsals and shows as well as move in day at the theater. The Stage Manager will need to arrive 20 minutes before all call times. APPLICATION for this role DUE Aug. 29th
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Assistant Stage Manager (ages 14+): The Assistant Stage Manager is responsible for assisting the Stage Manager in helping keep track of cast members, blocking, set movement and miscellaneous details during rehearsals and production of a stage performance. They also attend all rehearsals and shows as well as move in day at the theater. The Assistant Stage Manager fills the role of Crew Chief during the show run. The Assistant Stage Manager will need to arrive 15 minutes before all call times. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 5th
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Light Board Operator (ages 13+): The Light Board Operator is responsible for operating the light board during all performances. Performs daily light checks at the beginning of all technical rehearsals and performance call times to ensure that all lighting equipment is working properly. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 5th
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Spot Operator (ages 12+): The Spot Operator will be responsible for all spotlight cues during all performances. Performs daily light checks at the beginning of all technical rehearsals and performance call times to ensure that the spotlight is working correctly. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 5th
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​Stage Crew (ages 12+): Crew members assist with props, moving set pieces, charging glow tape, cleaning, etc. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 5th
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Health & Safety:
Read our Communicable Disease Management Plan Here.
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Community Commitment: Imagine's Student Expectation & Code of Conduct communicates the expectations of students who participate in Imagine Programming. This covers electronic/cell phone expectations, behavior expectations, and general safety considerations.
Students and families/guardians will be required to sign the Student Expectations document, affirming that they have read it and agree to uphold these standards. ​Read the document here.​
Questions? Email Production Coordinator Kim Wallace at kimw@imaginetheatre.org
Audition, Callbacks, & Casting
(How to Sign Up & What to Expect)
How to Audition:
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Sign up for an audition slot - Here. ​(Each 20-minute audition time will have space for 8 auditioners. Please come 15 minutes early to ensure you are checked in and have proper paperwork completed. You may bring someone with you into your audition time as a support person.) Audition slots and sign-ups close on Sept. 3rd at 12am.
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Prepare A Song with Music: Please come prepared to sing 1 minute of a musical-theatre-show song with a backing track. Bring your own accompaniment (instrumental/karaoke, no vocals) on a phone, or tablet and we will play it for your turn. If you are using a phone, please have the appropriate dongle to connect to a speaker.
What Are Auditions & Callbacks Like?
​The audition process is a fun and integral part of the production! We understand that auditions can feel stressful, but everyone you see is your biggest cheerleader! When you thrive, we thrive.
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ARRIVING: When you arrive for auditions, you will check in and make sure all your information is in order. You will have your headshot taken and receive any additional information. One adult may accompany each student into the audition room as moral support.
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AUDITIONING: You and seven other auditioners, along with their support people, will go into the audition room as a group. When it is your turn to perform your song, you will be called up. Hand your accompaniment device to the audio person cued up to the spot you want to begin singing. Stand in front of the artistic team and they will let you know when you may begin. When prompted, “slate”, which means introduce yourself by name and age, then tell us which song selection you have chosen. Then you will indicate for the audio person to begin your song and you can sing. When you have completed, say, “Thank you.” You will get to watch five other students audition, so please show encouragement by staying engaged and applauding when appropriate.
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CALLBACKS: Callbacks will be requested at the discretion of the Artistic Team. If you are called back, you will receive notice before 11pm on Friday, Sept. 5th. Callbacks will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6th from 9am-1pm at Oak Grove UMC. You will be notified if you are to attend the entire time, or just a portion thereof. If you are NOT called back, that does not mean you are not getting considered for a part. Being “called back” simply means the directors would like to see you read/perform something specific. For this production, callbacks will consist of a dance, music, and cold readings from the script.
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Casting
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The Cast List will be sent out via email & posted in the shared Google Classroom on the Sunday after auditions at 3pm. As an educational opportunity we assume all students accept their role. The cast list will also be shared on social media that evening.
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The cast size of this show is capped at 50 due to space at the performance facility.
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Students ages 12-18 who are registered for a Fall 2025 Class/Lessons/Thespian Troupe are guaranteed a spot in the show and additionally receive $30 off the Production Fee.
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Imagine Theatre values diversity on our stage and in our theater. In casting, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, body diverssity, or national/ethnic origin. We aim to cast respectfully and appropriately to all cultures and identities.​​
Questions? Email Production Coordinator Kim Wallace at kimw@imaginetheatre.org