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! 

Newsies Character Breakdown  (Annie Character Breakdown follow these)
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

Annie Character Breakdown:
Annie
Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound "family" who loves her. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
Named Orphans: Molly, Tessie, July, Duffy, Kate and Pepper. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as "sibling-style" fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong.
Orphans: These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as "sibling-style" fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character.
Gender: female
 
Miss Hannigan
This woman is definitely a "has-been." Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing.
Gender: female/ Vocal range top: D5- Vocal range bottom: G3
 
Grace Farrell
Grace is mature, calm, cool and "together." She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
Rooster
Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His "moves" should be as smooth as a gambler's, as should be the message he sells in "Easy Street." "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
 
Lily
Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. She never acts as the leader, always bringing up the rear while tripping over her own feet (it is difficult to walk and check your makeup in a compact at the same time). "Easy Street" is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
 
Warbucks
This may be the most challenging role for a student in this age group. He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. He begins his transformation when he views "N.Y.C." through Annie's eyes and falls in love with the city again...and with her. The student who plays Warbucks will need to be extremely focused throughout the show. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
 
Sandy
In this production, Sandy is played by a human. Sandy is Annie's canine friend and scrappy in her own right. This dog also has to sing.
Gender: any
 
Servants: Drake/Mrs. Greer/Mrs. Pugh
From the moment these characters enter the acting area, their presence, posture and speech should suggest the most fastidious of domestic help.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
Bundles: Laundry Man
Gender: Male
 
Louis Howe:
Gender: male
 
Additional Ensemble characters/Chorus
Servants, NYC pedestrians, the chauffer, the apple seller and the dogcatcher.