• You need to thoughtfully and carefully complete the conflicts calendar. Casting will be partially based on availability.

• It is not fair to the show for you to give us a wide-open availability calendar and then after casting, start giving us dates you can’t attend. Any absences that come up after auditions that are not on your conflict calendar, other than illness or bereavement, are 100% unexcused. This includes school conflicts, family conflicts, fun, amazing opportunities, etc. Forgetting you have rehearsal or misreading the rehearsal calendar is also an unexcused absence. 

• 3 or more accidental unexcused absences is possible cause for dismissal from the production. 

• ​1 or more intentional unexcused absences is possible cause for dismissal from the production.

• When students make a commitment to the play, they are making a commitment to the entire cast and crew to attend every called rehearsal unless an unavoidable circumstance comes up.

• Rehearsing "on your own"  NEVER makes up for time missed at rehearsal with your fellow cast and crew members. When you are absent, we have to work AROUND you. It causes extra work for everyone else when YOU are GONE. SHOWING UP IS THE FIRST RULE OF SHOW BUSINESS! 

• ​Excused absences are times that you put on your conflicts calendar, bereavement with a note from a parent, or illness with a note from your parent. You may be dismissed from the show for 5 or more excused absences, because we have to rehearse and go on with the show, and sadly, even with good reason, without you. ​

• If you need to be absent for any reason, your parent must email Mrs. Ackerman at least one week in advance (unless the absence is due to sickness or a family emergency). 

• No absences other than bereavement and illness are allowed during tech week. 

• For sickness or family emergencies, your parent MUST email Mrs. Ackerman each day you will be absent. 

• Attendance will be taken each day and you need to EXPECT to be recast if you have violated attendance policies even if it is the week of the show. ​

• Rehearsals are typically weekdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. We may run rehearsals until 6 pm some days. The time commitment will vary from role to role. The director will share a comprehensive rehearsal calendar on the OTMS Theatre website that outlines who needs to attend rehearsal when. Lead actors and crew heads typically attend most rehearsals, while characters will smaller parts will only come a few days a week until tech week. For crew, it really just depends on the job. Some roles don't require attendance at any rehearsals, such as Front-of-House crew. 

• The rehearsal schedule is always posted on the OTMS Theatre Website. Please bookmark the Website to refer to for all rehearsal scheduling. You are responsible for knowing when you need to be at rehearsals. Should you need assistance managing your calendar or understanding it, please come to Mrs. A’s room before school for support. ​

• The rehearsal schedule IS subject to change, but the days and times typically will not change. I will send emails to parents and students if we make changes after the initial schedule is posted after auditions.  ​

• Punctuality & Preparedness is everything in the theatre. You are expected to be ON TIME and PREPARED. Prepared means you are on time, are wearing the right clothes (clothes and shoes you can move in), have your script and a pencil in hand, and you have a water bottle at the ready. Our student director will be taking attendance at every rehearsal. If you are late or unprepared, they will be making note of that. If you are excessively late or unprepared, expect for your role to be recast. Your directors will determine what “excessively” means, because this really varies. For a person that is a lead, they may get more chances than a person who is only called to one or two rehearsals a week. ​

• Do be on time for rehearsals. Bring a snack and a water bottle. Snacks must be consumed in the lunchroom. Food is not allowed in the auditorium. 

• Please note, tech week is Feb. 26-March 3 and students must attend all tech week rehearsals. Tech week rehearsals run late, typically until 7 or 8 pm. 

• Performances are March 4, 5 and 6. Students must attend all performances. 

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. Look for an actor who can command the stage with ease, possesses strong vocal abilities, and can exude Jack’s tough-guy exterior and his big heart.

Gender: male

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Les

Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is excited by the newsies’ freedom and loves their independent lifestyle. This pint-sized charmer should present as younger than the other newsies

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: B3

Crutchie

Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with a “bum leg” from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papes. Walking with the assistance of a crutch doesn’t define the ever-positive newsie, so look for an actor who can portray Casey’s goofy-sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is accustomed to modifying daily activities for their disability, so consider both the character and actor’s abilities when blocking and choreographing.

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: A3

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, cast a strong actor and singer who can lead “Seize the Day” while smartly portraying the brains of the resistance.

Gender: male

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: B3

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, Katherine should be a strong singer with excellent diction for her showstopping number, “Watch What Happens.” Because Katherine and Jack possess a strong bond, consider auditioning these roles together to get a sense of the performers’ repartee.

Gender: female

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Medda Larkin

Inspired by the African- American vaudeville performer, Aida Overton-Walker, A big-voiced singer and star of the Bowery (see the “Dramaturgy” document in Downloadable Resources). 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.

Gender: female

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: G3

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. Feel free to incorporate this actor into the newsies ensemble when possible.

Gender: male

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. For this non-singing role, cast a strong actor with a sharp and imposing presence.

Gender: male

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.

Gender: female

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.

Gender: male

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. Look for an actor who can evoke an imposing and sinister presence.

Seitz

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

Bill

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

Gender: male

Dorothy

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

Gender: female

Darcy

A photographer who works with Katherine.

Oscar & Morris Delancey

Toughs who work distribution for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point. Look for actors who can believably portray these threatening goons. With a few smart and quick costuming changes, these two actors can also join the newsies ensemble if needed.

Gender: male

Ensemble  

• 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

• corrupt POLICE OFFICERS, including the POLICE CHIEF

• WORKING CHILDREN of New York City