Audition Notice
Show: Disney’s Newsies
Rehearsal Dates:
August 22-23, 2026 (Saturday- Sunday): Jump start rehearsals for Blue Star Students only
August 28–30, 2026 (Friday–Sunday): Newsies Ensemble Only Rehearsal
August 31–September 7, 2026 (Monday–Friday): Full Cast Rehearsals
Performance Dates: Tuesday, September 8 – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (six performances)
Location:
Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight Road
Kansas City, MO 64132
Creative Staff:
- Executive Producer: Caroline Gibel
- Director & Choreographer: David Grindrod
- Music Director: Anthony T. Edwards
- Associate Choreographer: Sierra Lai Barnett
- Assistant Teen Choreographer: Christina Burton
Equity Agreement: SMTA
By agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, Equity members must receive priority at all auditions. Non-union performers will be seen as time allows after all Equity members have auditioned.
Starlight Theatre is committed to inclusive, diverse casting and maintaining a safe, welcoming creative environment for all performers. Any questions? Please email auditions@kcstarlight.com
To be notified of future opportunities, please be sure to join our auditions email list below. We are not accepting online submissions at this time. Thank you.
Principal Adult Roles
Vocal: Tenor/High Baritone (Bb2–A4)
Character Age: 15–20
The charismatic leader of the newsies. A street-smart young man with artistic dreams. Tough, loyal, and protective of his chosen family.
Vocal: Mezzo-Soprano with mix (A3–F5)
Character Age: 17–20
A sharp, ambitious reporter determined to break barriers. Witty, independent, and never a damsel in distress. Romantic interest for Jack.
Vocal: Tenor (D3–A4)
Character Age: 15–20
Bright, principled, and cautious at first. Finds his voice as a strategist and leader. Protective of his younger brother, Les.
Vocal: Tenor (C3–A4)
Character Age: 13–17
A newsie with a mobility disability who refuses to be defined by it. Optimistic, loyal, and deeply heartfelt. Actors of all abilities are encouraged to audition.
Vocal: Alto/Mezzo with belt (F3–E5)
Character Age: 25–45
The warm, larger-than-life owner of a vaudeville house. Strong comedic timing and vocal presence.
Vocal: Baritone (C3–F4)
Character Age: 35–50
Powerful and calculating. A savvy newspaper magnate who becomes the newsies’ primary opponent.
Adult Ensemble / Featured Roles
Must be age 18+ on audition day.
Strong dancers of all vocal ranges. Featured solos and lines will be cast from the adult ensemble. Includes:
- Race – quick-witted and streetwise
- Albert, Specs, Henry, Romeo, Elmer, Finch, Jo Jo, Mush, etc. – featured newsies personalities
- Spot Conlon – formidable Brooklyn newsie leader
- Oscar & Morris Delancey – tough enforcers who antagonize the newsies. Doubles as newsies.
Female-presenting performers are strongly encouraged; production may feature a mixed-gender newsie ensemble.
Approximately seven adult ensemble members will cover the following roles:
- Wiesel – Gruff, comedic distribution boss
- Snyder – Harsh warden of The Refuge
- Nuns, Bowery Bruisers, Policemen, Stagehands
- Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah, Nunzio – Pulitzer’s staff
- Mayor, Governor Roosevelt
Example tracks may include:
- Female Ensemble 1: Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty / Katherine Understudy
- Female Ensemble 2: Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty / Medda Understudy
- Male Ensemble 1: Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Pulitzer Understudy
- Male Ensemble 2: Seitz / Roosevelt Understudy
- Male Ensemble 3: Bunsen / Male Ensemble 1 Understudy
- Male Ensemble 4: Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
- Male Ensemble 5: Snyder / Pulitzer Understudy
Juvenile + Blue Star Teen Ensemble
Vocal: Boy Soprano / unchanged voice (B3–E5)
Character Age: 10–15
Davey’s fearless younger brother. Clever, enthusiastic, and charming. Looks up to Jack as a mentor.
Candidates must be ages 10–14 on audition day. Role will be provided a non-union contract.
Participants must be 15–18 years old and must attend a high school that is participating in the 2025–2026 Blue Star Awards program or be part of any 2025–2026 Starlight Community Engagement program.
Blue Star Teen Newsies will appear in large-scale dance numbers and will not have speaking roles. Strong dancers encouraged. All genders welcomed; production may feature a mixed-gender newsie ensemble.
Audition Information
For the role of Les only (ages 10-14)
Location: Starlight Theatre
Friday, January 23, 2026
4:00 PM – Sign-In
4:30 PM – Auditions Begin
6:00 PM – Auditions Conclude
Preparation
- Pre-registration required — Registration Form
- Bring a headshot and résumé
- Bring jazz shoes and/or sneakers
- Please prepare the provided audition materials
Equity Principal Auditions & Equity Chorus Call
Location: Starlight Theatre
Saturday, January 24, 2026
All Adult Performers (18+)
10:00 AM – ECC Dance Call Registration
10:30 AM – Dance Call Block 1 (Learn Combination)
11:00 AM – Dance Call Block 2 (Learn Combination)
11:30 AM – Dance Audition Block 1
12:00 PM – Dance Audition Block 2
1:00 PM – Singing Callbacks from Dance Call
1:30 PM – Equity Principal Audition Registration
2:00 PM – Equity Principal Auditions*
5:00–7:00 PM – Reading Callbacks (Invite Only)
7:00 PM – Estimated End of Day
Preparation
- Pre-registration required — Registration Form
- Bring headshot and résumé
- Dancers should bring jazz shoes, tap shoes, and/or sneakers
- Music: 16 bars of a Broadway song requested (songs from Newsies welcome)
- Bring sheet music in your key; accompanist will not transpose
* By agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, Equity members must receive priority. Non-union performers are encouraged to audition but will be seen throughout the day as time allows.
For Blue Star Awards high school students (ages 15–18)
Location: Starlight Theatre
Sunday, January 25, 2026
11:30 AM – Teen Dance Call Registration
12:00 PM – Learn Dance (All Together)
12:30 PM – Dance Call Block 1
1:00 PM – Dance Call Block 2
1:30 PM – Singing Callbacks from Dance Call
3:30 PM – Estimated End of Day
Preparation
- Pre-registration required — Registration Form
- Advanced dance skills required
- Bring résumé and photograph
- Bring jazz shoes, tap shoes, and/or sneakers
- Bring sheet music and prepare 16 bars of a Broadway song if called back
- No recorded accompaniment; accompanist will not transpose
- Must attend a 2025–2026 Blue Star Awards participating high school or be part of a 2025–2026 Starlight Community Engagement program to audition.
Location: New York City
March 2026- details forthcoming
Please note, the official casting notices and detailed character breakdown of available roles will be shared through the Actors’ Equity Casting Call website www.actorsequity.org and other industry trade publications. Audition notices are typically shared two weeks prior to each specific call.
Auditions Email List
To be notified of future opportunities, please join our auditions email list below: