Casting Call Alert: Niceville High School Hunts for Young Star for Disney’s Newsies Musical

Niceville High School Theatre is looking for a young star to join the cast of its upcoming spring musical, Disney’s Newsies. The auditions, set for Saturday, January 6th, will focus on finding the perfect actor for the role of “Les.”

NHS Theatre Director Ritchie Jackson says he’s excited about incorporating young talent into the production, marking the first time since 2018.

“We haven’t worked with non-high school-aged actors in our cast since we did Disney’s The Little Mermaid in 2018″, he said. “We will be excited to have a young person back on our stage and in our midst again.” As the Niceville High School Theatre Department expands its horizons, the search for young talent adds an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming production of Disney’s Newsies. Parents and aspiring young actors are encouraged to seize this opportunity to be part of the magic

The Production:

Jackson, along with Vocal Director Michael Walker and Choreographer Nicci Fahle, is gearing up for the massive production of Newsies, the largest in NHS Theatre’s history. Reflecting on last year’s colossal success with Chicago, Jackson notes, “This production will be even bigger. We like to go BIG here at NHS Theatre.”

Casting Call Criteria:

The casting team is specifically looking for a male actor aged 8-12, possessing an unchanged youth voice and the ability to sing in the Bb3 – Db3 range while also being adept at learning choreography. Availability for rehearsals from January 8th through early April, on most Tuesdays through Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 5 pm at Niceville High School, is a requirement.

Ideally, the chosen actor should measure no taller than four feet five inches, ensuring compatibility with the role’s physical demands. Jackson emphasizes the importance of stability, stating, “We would like a child actor who is not in danger of any sudden growth spurts or a voice change before April when the show opens.”

Audition Details:

Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, January 6th, at 12:30 pm in the Niceville High School auditorium at 800 East John Sims Parkway in Niceville. Parents of aspiring young actors interested in auditioning are encouraged to email Jackson for audition materials and additional details. Jackson expresses confidence, saying, “We know the perfect Les is out there, and we are on the hunt for him.”

richard.jackson@okaloosaschools.com