Auditions

Knoxville Children’s Theatre (KCT) will hold auditions on Monday, April 27, for our upcoming production of DISNEY’S NEWSIES JR. The show will be directed by KCT Director of Education Taylor Wingate, with Teresa Seals as Musical Director and Donya Walker and Elliott Gifford as Choreographers.

The audition will take place from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM at KCT, 747 World’s Fair Park Drive.

To schedule an audition, please use the online audition request form found at:
https://knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/register-for-an-audition/

There are roles for approximately 27 actors, including up to five roles for performers making their KCT debuts.

Disney’s Newsies JR. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies JR. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

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.

Including the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies JR. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.

 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Actors will be required to act and sing at this audition.

The play’s genre is musical drama. Choose material that reflects the world of the play—imaginative, expressive, heartfelt, and theatrical, with both emotional and playful range.

Singing:

• Prepare 16 to 24 bars of a song.
• Each auditionee must bring 2 printed copies of sheet music.
  • Sheet Music: Bring 2 printed copies of your selection in a key suitable for your voice.
  • Accompaniment: Please bring piano accompaniment (no vocal scores or lead sheets).
  • Style: Choose a song that fits your voice and the musical drama Songs from musical theatre are highly recommended.
• No “a cappella” auditions will be heard.
• Do NOT choose a song from the show.
• Auditionees age 10 and under will receive special instructions for the song portion of the audition with registration confirmation.
• Highlight or clearly mark the section you will sing.
• Songs will be evaluated on pitch, projection, tone, diction, emotional expression, and ability to act while singing.

Acting:

• Prepare a short, one-minute memorized monologue from a play or novel.
• The monologue should express a theatrical level of volume and expression.

MEMORIZATION of all audition materials is required.

 

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Please bring your calendars to auditions. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be available, and actors will be asked to list all conflicts. The director will make every attempt to work around conflicts whenever possible. Actors with conflicts for mandatory rehearsals or any performances will not be seen. Actors with more than 4 conflicts will not be seen.

• First Rehearsal / Orientation: Thursday, May 07, 2026 (mandatory for all cast members).
• Regular Rehearsals:
  • May 07 – 7/09, 2026
  • Evenings: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (6:00 – 9:00 PM; Sundays 5:00 – 9:00 PM)
• Mandatory Tech Rehearsals:
  • Tech 1: Thursday, 07/02 — 6:00–9:00 PM
  • Tech 2: Sunday, 07/05 — 5:00–9:00 PM
  • Tech 3: Monday, 07/06 — 6:00–9:00 PM
  • Tech 4: Wednesday, 07/08 — 6:00–9:00 PM
  • Tech 5: Thursday, 07/09 — 6:00–9:00 PM
• Performances (Mandatory):
  • Opening Night: Friday, July 10, 2026
  • Closing Performance: Sunday, July 26, 2026
  • Regular Performances: Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00 PM; Saturdays at 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM; Sundays at 3:00 PM (plus 6:00 PM shows on July19 & 26).
  • Mid-Week Matinees: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM.
  • Actors are called one hour before curtain time.
  • All actors are called for strike following the closing performance.

No phone calls for appointments, please. Due to time restrictions, late submissions will not be seen.

Helpful tips for auditions can be found at:
👉 https://knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/audition-tips/

Auditionees will receive detailed instructions for their audition after submitting the online form.