Show: NEWSIES
Theater: The Candlelight Theatre
Theater Website: https://candlelighttheatredelaware.org/auditions/
Start date of auditions: 10/19/2026
The Candlelight Theatre, located in historic Ardentown, Delaware (30 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia) is seeking non-union, singer/actors/dancers for its upcoming production of Disney’s NEWSIES which runs Saturday January 16 to Sunday February 21, 2027. Director – Amanda Pasquini, Music Director – Julia Kershetsky, Choreographer – Christian Ryan. The Candlelight Theatre encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities to attend auditions.
Auditions will be held by appointment on Monday, October 19, 6:00 – 10:00pm and Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 – 10:00pm. Callbacks will be scheduled if needed. Rehearsals begin on or around Tuesday, November 17, 2026 through Friday, January 16, 2027.
Please send (email) pictures and resumes to Bob Kelly, Artistic Director bob@candlelightde.org and indicate your preference for either a Monday or Tuesday audition slot. Emails will be sent to arrange audition times for selected applicants.
For auditions, please prepare 16 (ballad) – 32 (up-tempo) bars in the style of the show. Songs from the show are acceptable. An accompanist will be provided. Please provide clearly marked sheet music. No recorded tracks please. Readings will be provided. Those being considered for Jack and Katherine may be asked to sing a small section of “Santa Fe” and “Watch What Happens.” Those being considered for the Newsies or Katherine may be asked to stay and dance. Please come with headshot and resume stapled together.
No calls to the theater, please.
The Candlelight Theatre is a professional Dinner Theatre located in Ardentown, Delaware, approximately 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia.
All roles are open and paid. There are 3-5 performances per week. Additional restaurant opportunities, if desired, are available to supplement performance income. Housing is not provided.
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 the true story of The Newsboys’ Strike of 1899, 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, La Cage aux Folles). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”
Auditions for Newsies
Monday, October 19th 6:00 -10:00pm
Tuesday, October 20th 6:00 – 10pm
Location:
The Candlelight Theater, 2208 Millers Rd. Wilmington, De. 19810
NEWSIES – 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.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
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 dance numbers.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Davey-Les’s strait-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.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Les – Davey’s cheeky younger brother, inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesboy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Age: 9 to 15
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3
Newsies – Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage. Must be extremely strong dancers.
Age: 16-32
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.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
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.
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3
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.
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Wiesel – Or “Weasel,” runs the distribution window for the World and knows most of the newsies by name. Assisted by the intimidating Delancey brothers, who keep order by any means necessary, Wiesel is Pulitzer’s disgruntled paper- pusher.
Age: 35 to 50
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.
Age: 18 to 30
Seitz – Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Age: 35 to 50
Bunsen – Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Age: 35 to 50
Hannah –Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Age: 20 to 40
Snyder –The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep his government checks coming.
Age: 45 to 65
Governor Teddy Roosevelt – A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Age: 50 to 65
Ensemble
Includes: Three nuns, the Mayor, Mr. Jacobi, Pat (the stage manager), The Bowery Beauties, a photographer, Nunzio (the barber), Darcy, and Bill.
