LET YOUR LIGHT
SHINE ON STAGE

When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.

Prior to auditions, ask the admin staff at info@shineplano.com.

During auditions, ask the box office staff.

After auditions, ask the stage manager at stagemanager@shineplano.com.

January 17-18, 2026

Newsies Jr. performs at The Courtyard Theater in Downtown Plano May 8-10, 2025. There is one Friday performance at 7:30, one Saturday performance at 7:30 and one Sunday performance at 2:30.

Actors must be ages 8-12 on the day of auditions to be eligible to audition.

There is no tuition associated with the show other than the non-refundable and non-transferrable $30 audition registration fee.

Participate in our Audition Workshop taught by the Director. When you can be seen by the casting team prior to the audition, take advantage of it! Click here to register.

If you want to know what role is perfect for you, we recommend reading the PERUSAL SCRIPT available in the box office. But please keep in mind the role you think is perfect for you may not be the role the director chooses to challenge you with.

There is a place on the audition form to state this. If the director chooses not to cast you in the “only” roles you’ve chosen, one of two things will happen:

1. You will not be cast in the show, or

2. You will receive a phone call from the producer or stage manager offering you another role in the show. It is probable that if you do not receive the specific role(s) you listed, you will not be offered an alternate role.

The director evaluates:

VOCAL QUALITIES — pitch, resonance, articulation, and projection

DANCE SKILLS — do you have the dance technique and memory to execute choreography and learn quickly?

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT — do you embody the character or simply read the words on the page?

SENSE OF FOCUS — do you live in the world or are you too distracted by your thoughts or external factors?

IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY — your unique interpretation of language and character EXPRESSIVENESS — is it in your words? your face? your body?

HONESTY — are you reacting and speaking as your character would?

PRIOR EXPERIENCE - if the director hasn’t worked with you before, we are thrilled to have you audition! If we have prior experience working with you, we take it into consideration. Were you reliable? Prompt? Kind? Directable?

THEN we look at things like age and height to think about what role you might fit into and which of the other people that auditioned might match up with you. The same criterion is true for callbacks.

The principal characters in Newsies Jr require strong vocalists and dancers and excellent acting skills. The Ensemble requires strong singing and dance skills. Students do not need past experience in any of these areas, but a bold audition and courage to take risks will help them to portray the characters coming to life on stage.

Rehearsals will begin on February 27 and will be held Wednesday and Friday from 5:00-8:00 pm. Not every character will be called for every rehearsal, though central characters will attend almost every rehearsal. The number of rehearsals you attend depends on your role.

Actors will be called in for 30-60 minutes on a Saturday for a costume fitting.

Technical rehearsals are May 4-7 from 5:00-9:00 pm and all cast members must be present. We permit NO absences or conflicts of any kind during tech week.

Actors must state all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule on their audition form, which will go out one week prior to auditions. Shine will be unable to accept rehearsal and performance conflicts after casting except in the case of an emergency.

When you sing and do cold reading, wear nice but comfortable clothing that allows you to move without risk of embarrassment and does not mask the size and shape of your body. Wear closed-toed shoes.

Since a professional headshot will be taken during your audition, dress in a way that makes you feel confident on camera. Avoid busy patterns, hats, or anything that covers your face.

If you are called back it is a good idea to wear the same clothing you wore on the day of your audition unless otherwise specified.

• Your completed audition form (front and back)

• Sheet music in a 3-ring binder for piano accompaniment for 32 bars of a song from a musical in the style of the show. No singing acapella. No singing to accompaniment recordings.

• Headshot

The front has fields for your contact information so we know how to get hold of you (and your parents), your availability for callbacks and rehearsals, a space for listing conflicts, and a place to list your theatre experiences, training, and special talents. Resumes are not necessary.

With the number of people coming through the door, it is important that we have a picture of you.

Arrive for your audition 15 minutes early and check-in at the front desk. You will turn in your form, take a headshot, and have your measurements taken. The actor and their parent will be asked to watch a 10-minute video from the producer prior to your audition.

If needed, callbacks will be held on January 22. The actual times and dates will be determined once we know the number of actors who will attend.

It’s a director’s opportunity to get more information before casting specific roles in the show. If you do not get a callback, it does not necessarily mean you will not be in the show. You may have been perfect for the role the director is using you for and consequently, they do not need a second look at you.

You will receive an email with a list of those who should attend callbacks. If you do not receive an email from us you should call Shine on January 22.

We cannot answer this question until after auditions and callbacks have concluded.

The target announcement date is February 6.

Everyone who auditions will either receive a phone call or email by February 6.

Actors are required to provide specific shoes, socks, tights, underwear, and all make-up supplies as determined by the costume designer. Stage make-up costs approximately $15 to $30. Shoes may run between $20 and $60 dollars. Undergarments such as leotards, camisoles, and undershirts may also be required.

There are four times that parents/guardians are required to be involved if your child is cast in the show. Cast members are also required to be at the following dates and times:

1. Informational meeting on February 27 at 6:00 pm - 45-minute commitment

2. Pick one time to volunteer at a set build or paint call - 4-hour commitment

3. Load in on Sunday, May 3 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

4. Strike on Sunday, May 17 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

It's time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney's Newsies! 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!

Prior to auditions, ask the admin staff at info@shineplano.com.

During auditions, ask the box office staff.

After auditions, ask the stage manager at stagemanager@shineplano.com.

January 24-25, 2026

Newsies performs at The Courtyard Theater in Downtown Plano on May 15-17. There is one Friday performance at 7:30, one Saturday performance at 7:30 and one Sunday performance at 2:30.

Actors must be ages 13-18 on the day of auditions to be eligible to audition.

There is no tuition associated with the show other than the non-refundable and non-transferrable $30 audition registration fee.

Participate in our Audition Workshop taught by the Director. When you can be seen by the casting team prior to the audition, take advantage of it! Click here to register.

If you want to know what role is perfect for you, we recommend reading the PERUSAL SCRIPT available in the box office. But please keep in mind the role you think is perfect for you may not be the role the director chooses to challenge you with.

There is a place on the audition form to state this. If the director chooses not to cast you in the “only” roles you’ve chosen, one of two things will happen:

1. You will not be cast in the show, or

2. You will receive a phone call from the producer or stage manager offering you another role in the show. It is probable that if you do not receive the specific role(s) you listed, you will not be offered an alternate role.

The director evaluates:

VOCAL QUALITIES — pitch, resonance, articulation, and projection

DANCE SKILLS — do you have the dance technique and memory to execute choreography and learn quickly?

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT — do you embody the character or simply read the words on the page?

SENSE OF FOCUS — do you live in the world or are you too distracted by your thoughts or external factors?

IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY — your unique interpretation of language and character EXPRESSIVENESS — is it in your words? your face? your body?

HONESTY — are you reacting and speaking as your character would?

PRIOR EXPERIENCE - if the director hasn’t worked with you before, we are thrilled to have you audition! If we have prior experience working with you, we take it into consideration. Were you reliable? Prompt? Kind? Directable?

THEN we look at things like age and height to think about what role you might fit into and which of the other people that auditioned might match up with you. The same criterion is true for callbacks.

The principal characters in Newsies require strong vocalists and dancers and excellent acting skills. The Ensemble requires strong singing and dance skills. Students do not need past experience in any of these areas, but a bold audition and courage to take risks will help them to portray the characters coming to life on stage.

Rehearsals will begin on February 26 and will be held Monday and Thursday from 6:00-9:00 pm. Not every character will be called for every rehearsal, though central characters will attend almost every rehearsal. The number of rehearsals you attend depends on your role.

Actors will be called in for 30-60 minutes on a Saturday for a costume fitting.

Technical rehearsals are May 11-14 from 5:00-10:00 pm and all cast members must be present. We permit NO absences or conflicts of any kind during tech week.

Actors must state all conflicts with the rehearsal schedule on their audition form, which will go out one week prior to auditions. Shine will be unable to accept rehearsal and performance conflicts after casting except in the case of an emergency.

When you sing and do cold reading, wear nice but comfortable clothing that allows you to move without risk of embarrassment and does not mask the size and shape of your body. Wear closed-toed shoes.

Since a professional headshot will be taken during your audition, dress in a way that makes you feel confident on camera. Avoid busy patterns, hats, or anything that covers your face.

If you are called back it is a good idea to wear the same clothing you wore on the day of your audition unless otherwise specified.

• Your completed audition form (front and back)

• Sheet music in a 3-ring binder for piano accompaniment for 32 bars of a song from a musical in the style of the show. No contemporary or pop material. No singing acapella. No singing to accompaniment recordings.

• Headshot

The front has fields for your contact information so we know how to get hold of you (and your parents), your availability for callbacks and rehearsals, a space for listing conflicts, and a place to list your theatre experiences, training, and special talents. Resumes are not necessary.

With the number of people coming through the door, it is important that we have a picture of you.

Arrive for your audition 15 minutes early and check-in at the front desk. You will turn in your form, take a headshot, and have your measurements taken. The actor and their parent will be asked to watch a 10-minute video from the producer prior to your audition.

If needed, callbacks will be held on January 28. The actual times and dates will be determined once we know the number of actors who will attend.

It’s a director’s opportunity to get more information before casting specific roles in the show. If you do not get a callback, it does not necessarily mean you will not be in the show. You may have been perfect for the role the director is using you for and consequently, they do not need a second look at you.

You will receive an email with a list of those who should attend callbacks. If you do not receive an email from us you should call Shine on January 28.

We cannot answer this question until after auditions and callbacks have concluded.

The target announcement date is February 6.

Everyone who auditions will either receive a phone call or email by February 6.

Actors are required to provide specific shoes, socks, tights, underwear, and all make-up supplies as determined by the costume designer. Stage make-up costs approximately $15 to $30. Shoes may run between $20 and $60 dollars. Undergarments such as leotards, camisoles, and undershirts may also be required.

There are four times that parents/guardians are required to be involved if your child is cast in the show. Cast members are also required to be at the following dates and times:

1. Informational meeting on February 26 at 6:00 pm - 45-minute commitment

2. Pick one time to volunteer at a set build or paint call - 4-hour commitment

3. Load in on Sunday, May 3 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

Strike on Sunday, May 17 - 2-4 hour commitment, exact time varies from production to production

Technical positions

On your audition form, you will be asked if you are interested in volunteering for a technical position if you are not cast in the show. Your answer to this question will not affect your casting in any way. Positions may include stagehand, wardrobe/dressers, board operator, or assistant stage manager.