Auditions

Students ages 8-18 who are enrolled in CYT classes are invited to audition for the current production. Auditions consist of a one-minute audition side, chosen from the list HERE.  Each singing role generally has a specific range the student must be able to sing.  The Students will perform their vocal cut live for the Artistic Team, and then learn and perform a short dance routine. The audition process may also include a “callback” in which a student may be asked to read for a speaking role in the show.  Auditions are a wonderful way for students to gain self-confidence and to show the best of their talents! 

Character Breakdown
Jack Kelly
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an oprhaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West.
Gender: male
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.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
 
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
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
 
Les
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 salesboy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3
 
Newsies
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. Plus other Newsies in the ensembles.
  
Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: any
 
Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
 
Gender: Male
 
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 boldy captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. 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
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
Darcy
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie. 
Gender: any
 
Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. Can double as a newsie. 
Gender: male
 
 
Wiesel
Or “Weasel,” runs the distribution window for the World and knows most of the newsies by name.
Gender: male
 
 
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
 
Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
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.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3
 
Seitz
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Gender: any
 
Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: any
 
Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female
Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
 
Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: any
 
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.
Gender: any
 
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
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
 
The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female
 
Stage Manager
Introduces Medda's act. 
Gender: any
 
Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: female
 
Photographer
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: any
 
Woman
A newspaper customer. 
Gender: any
  
Mr. Jacobi
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Gender: any





 

How do auditions work?

At CYT, auditions are an open casting call; nothing is precast.  Any student 8-18 enrolled in classes is eligible to audition.   All students must choose from the provided song/side cut options. Students should choose the song option that best highlights their voice and that they can act well through their performance. Please get to know the characters in the show in the event that you are asked to stay to read and sing for callbacks. 

If you plan to audition for our Spring production, you will need to complete and upload the Audition Forms prior to live auditions on Saturday, April 11, 2026 @ Hope Chapel   Auditions & 1st Callbacks will be held from 9am to 3pm.  There will be a 2nd callback for some students Tuesday, April 14th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Hope Chapel.

You can download the Audition Forms through the link in the confirmation email you will receive when you sign up for a fall class.  Students must be enrolled in a CYT class to audition for Newsies. Completed Audition Forms should be uploaded to the link HERE by Thursday, April 9th.   Audition music should be one of the vocal side audition tracks that can be found HERE. No other music is allowed.  Students must bring a copy of their Audition form with their photo to the live auditions.

What do I have to do for my audition? What do I need for my audition?

All students must choose a side highlighting your vocals and acting, using one of the song options.    


The audition form is where you will upload all of your information. You will also need to upload a close-up photo and note all of your rehearsal conflicts on the conflict form. All of the information required is on the audition form, please look over in advance and do not submit until you have all of the information.  You can upload your forms Audition Forms HERE.

Come to auditions on Saturday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m. @ Hope Chapel. Auditions begin at 9:00 a.m.; please arrive early to have time to check in and get settled in your seat. You should bring:
  1. The printed forms in your audition packet that you have also uploaded to Dropbox.
  2. Dance shoes (or shoes you can move well in. (No boots/crocs/sandals/flip flops/Birkenstocks, etc.) Dance shoes can be changed into prior to the dance segment. 
  3. Wear easy to move in clothing that is in CYT dress code. (No tummies showing, spaghetti straps, etc.)
  4. A lunch and water bottle with your name on it. No peanuts or tree nuts allowed.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS:

We have a lot of fun at CYT auditions - the environment is welcoming and supportive! Auditions are open; this means that everyone is free to stay and watch. After a brief introduction, auditions will begin. When it is your turn you will:
  1. Walk up to the front, hand the director your paperwork, go to the microphone and introduce yourself (slate your name and what song (side) you will be singing). You will then perform your chosen song side.
Callbacks will be the same day! After everyone has auditioned, students will go to a common area to have a supervised lunch. (No peanuts or tree nuts allowed) After lunch, those students being called back will go into the audition space for closed callbacks. Parents will need to be on stand-by to pick up their student between 12:30-3:00 p.m. Callbacks are closed, but parents are welcome to wait on campus in a designated space. 

Students are not allowed to have their cell phone out or in use at anytime during their time at CYT. There will be an adult that will call parents for pick-up if the parent is not staying on campus.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER AUDITIONS
  1. The cast list will be published after classes on April 16th, 2026.
  2. The first rehearsal is Saturday, April 18th, from 12:00pm - 5:00pm at Studio Prep (5925-B Dillard Cir, Austin, TX 78752). All cast parents must attend a parent meeting from 12:00pm-1:30pm that day.
*Rehearsals for the Spring 2026 production are each Saturday from April 11th - June 13th. There will also be 4 daytime rehearsals the first two weeks of June (2,3,9,11), and Friday night rehearsals required for specific dances and scene work/blocking.  

A list of each character's vocal ranges will be posted here soon.


 

 

Do I have to dance/sing for my audition?

All students will perform a vocal side chosen from the options and learn a dance for CYT auditions. 

How do absences play into casting?

The directing team needs to know what rehearsals you will be missing.  It is imperative that they have this information on the audition form.  Absences that come up after casting will not be excused.  There is no “magic number” of excused absences that will make or break getting cast, however, the more absences you have directly affects casting.  CYT understands 2 absences at the most during a rehearsal process. Students with multiple conflicts could result in being cut from the show. 

Can I watch/videotape auditions?

We encourage parents to attend Auditions and you may videotape your child's audition.   You may not record other children's auditions.

What if my child is out of town on audition weekend?

If you are unable to attend auditions, we do accept video audition submissions through a private Dropbox Link. Please work this out in advance with your Program Coordinator. All video submissions must be submitted before the first night of auditions.

How should I help my child with the audition process?

Be a support. Help them find the right song of the 7 selections for their voice. Let them practice in front of you. Obviously, the younger the child, the more you may want to help steer them towards a successful audition yourself. Help your student choose the song that best showcases their voice (which may not be the character side of the role they are desiring.) 

What if I am unsure about my rehearsal conflicts?

Any information is helpful. Please list any dates that are potentiall "conflicts" and then give us more information in any of the "notes" fields on the form. 

Rehearsal schedules may vary by show, but typically CYT AUSTIN rehearses on Saturdays from 9am-3pm.

What if my child is almost 8 or almost 19? Does it affect show eligibility?

Our shows are for ages 8-18. A child must be no older than 18 at the time of auditions in order to participate & audition for the show, but can turn 19 during the session. A student age 7, must turn 8 before the last performance of the show in order to participate in the production. 

How many students usually audition for the production?

It varies greatly by production and session, though most shows see numbers between 35 and 70.

Have You Ever Wanted to Understand the Casting Process?

The Casting Process where Dr. Heather LaForge discusses the CYT casting process.