Southeast Missouri State Universitys Earl and Margie Holland College of Arts and Media will hold auditions for the 2019 River Campus Summer Arts Festival production of Disneys Newsies on March 23 and 24.

Auditions will begin at 10 a.m. March 23 for University members and the general public and will continue at 1 p.m. March 24 for high school students. Auditions are open to those currently in their freshman year through students currently in their senior year of high school. Both auditions will take place in the Kenneth and Jeanine Dobbins River Campus Center Room 114 and will include a dance call. Those auditioning should bring a change of clothing that is suitable for dancing and movement.

Headshots and resumes are not required, but actors are encouraged to bring them if they have them available. An audition form will be available on site for actors to complete upon arrival. Newsies will be comprised of an ensemble cast of 21 people, with females playing some of the roles of males.

Actors should prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo Broadway song and should bring music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided.

Rehearsals will begin at the end May. A full schedule of rehearsals will be provided at auditions.

Newsies is based on a Disney movie from 1992 and inspired by a true story.The musical was honored at the 2012 Tony Awards, where it won awards for Best Choreography and Best Original Score.

This show is about a newsboy Jack Kelly, who convinces fellow newsies from across New York City to strike against the rich publishers about unfair conditions against teenage newsboys. The story takes place at the turn of the century. The production is appropriate for family audiences.

Newsies will open at the River Campus Summer Arts Festival June 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre. Other evening performances are scheduled for June 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22. This show will also run two matinee performances on June 16 and June 23 at 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Theresa Messmer at tmessmer@semo.edu or (573) 651-2210.