Making A Dramatic Difference
The CenterPoint Academy motto is “You Belong Here,” and nobody knows that better than the 716 people, ages 3-18, that we train in performing arts. What we really teach them, however, is how to be the awesomest version of themselves.
While the performing arts training we offer is top-notch, taught by the best local working artists, the end result for the vast majority of our students isn’t the Broadway stage.
Instead, we use the arts to teach lessons that matter in any facet of life – confidence, discipline, leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, friendship, and creativity. Our students learn these universally-relevant skills and become assets wherever they go – at school, at work, at church, and at home.
The Academy provides unique performance opportunities to these students on the CenterPoint Theatre stages, performing for more than 15,000 people per year, in over 125 performances of more than a dozen different shows.
Academy Directors – Danny & Wendy Inkley
Producer – Jana Plowman
Director – Megan Call
Music Director – Brooke Liljenquist
Choreographer – Dylan Watson
Production/Stage Manager – Sal Duncan
Assistant Stage Manager – Mady Cook
Technical Director – Derek Walden
Sound Design – Derek Walden
Lighting Design – Jordan Fowler
Costume Design – Michaela Gladwell
Assistant Costumer – Sarah Burton
Set Design – Josh Roberts, Danny Inkley, Jana Plowman
Set Construction -Truxton Moulton, Silas Stott
Scenic Charge Artist – Cynthia Klumpp
Scenic Painter – Janae Klumpp Gibb
Props Mistress/Set Dressing – Marilyn Montgomery
Hair Design – Kristen Alley
Photographer – Micah Young
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.”
This quote by Teddy Roosevelt encompasses the story that is Newsies. Set in a period of history when only the most powerful or bossiest voices were heard, comes a rag-tag group of kids, who believe their voice matters just as much as those in power.
As a cast and production team, we have had many discussions about the difference between a leader and a boss. These kids know their stuff and are very aware of the difference, and which they prefer. In theater we encourage leadership within the cast throughout the rehearsal process, not directing or bossing others, but encouraging, protecting, motivating, and assisting each other. To be able to stand on the sidelines and watch as each cast member has taken on the mantle of leadership has been inspiring.
We hope you see their hard work, enjoy the dancing, are awed at the singing, are stunned by the performances, and have a fantastic time seeing this story told again or for the first time. However, if you only take away one message from this show, let it be that not only one voice can make a difference, but that one young voice can make a difference. The future is bright and these kids are going to change the world if we grown-ups will just let them.
Megan Call – Director
Scene 1: Newsie Square
Carrying the Banner – Newsies
Carrying the Banner (Reprise) – Newsies
Scene 2: Pulitzer’s Office
The Bottom Line – Pulitzer and his staff
Scene 3: Street
Scene 4: Medda’s Theater
Just a Pretty Face – Medda Larkin, Bowery Brigade
Scene 5: Newsie Square
The World Will Know – Jack, Newsies
Scene 6: Katherine’s Office
Watch What Happens – Katherine
Scene 7: Newsie Square, Next Morning
Seize the Day – Davey, Jack, Newsies
Santa Fe – Jack
Scene 8: The Refuge
Letter from The Refuge – Crutchie
Scene 9: Newsie Square
King of New York – Newsies, Katherine
Scene 10: Medda’s Theater
Scene 11: Pulitzer’s Office, Afternoon
Scene 12: Medda’s Theater
Brooklyn’s Here – Spot Conlon, Brooklyn Newsies, Newsies
Scene 13: Newsie Square / Cellar Door
Seize the Day (Reprise) – Newsies
Once and for All – Jack, Davey, Katherine, Les, Newsies, Working Children
Scene 14: Pulitzer’s Office
Scene 15: Newsie Square
Finale – Company
Character | Session 1 |
---|---|
Jack Kelly | Ben Stevens |
Davey | Sam Dugdale |
Crutchie | Elliott Balls |
Katherine | Kate Jones |
Joseph Pulitzer | Spencer Norris |
Medda Larkin | Madi Child |
Les | Ross Clemens |
Spot Conlon | Hadley Macfarlane |
Teddy Roosevelt | Carson Call |
Race | Drew Call |
Al | Jackson Call |
Muriel | Makinzie Rogers |
Nancy | Emiko Brown |
Specs | Max Woodbury |
Pigtails | Eden Jenson |
Hazel | Grace Taylor |
Buttons | Kate Patterson |
Tommy Boy | Alfie Welch |
Romeo | Andrew Taylor |
Jo Jo | Tenley Sweatfield |
Morris Delancey | Dean O'Toole |
Oscar Delancey | Lance Ward |
Wiesel | Grayson Wood |
Bunsen | Kollins Heiner |
Seitz | Cienna Reid |
Hannah | Callie Lasson |
Snyder | Freddie Hebdon |
Dorothy/Scab 1 | Tinley Carlson |
Bill/Scab 2 | Alissa Keller |
Pat/Scab 3 | Bree Hogan |
Ada | Elise Patton |
Olive | Kate Keller |
Ethel | Tess Nopper |
Fran | Jade Heiner |
Louise | Peyten Miller |
Doris | Libby Bergeson |
The Academy Fan Club is our theatre guild. It’s a group of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and other Academy fans. It’s designed to take the incredible spirit of volunteerism and support here and to organize it in a more formal, effective way. The Fan Club supports the Academy with teaching, feeding, building, breaking down, costuming, propping, teaching, fundraising, and other cool things that make the Academy awesome.
Most of these Fan Club opportunities don’t take much time, but they make a real difference. You can see more about the Fan Club here:
https://www.centerpointtheatre.org/academy/fan-club/
Most importantly, WE LOVE GRANDPARENTS!!!
Grandparents are some of our biggest fans, and lots of our interest in even forming the Fan Club was to involve the grands. We want to include as many of them as possible.
To get involved, you can sign up online at the link above. And if you have questions, feel free to email Margo Beecher at: academy@cptutah.org
Come play with CenterPoint Academy!
Auditions will take place by appointment from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon. The show runs March 13th through April 11th. Shelby Ferrin will direct, Aaron Ford will choreograph and Tara Wardle will music direct.
Bring any conflicts from January 6th through April 11th along with a headshot and resume to auditions. Callbacks are scheduled for Tuesday, January 7th and Wednesday, January 8th. Rehearsals will start Monday, January 13th.
Auditions are open to all performers 8 years and older. Children are encouraged to audition with a parent or guardian. All roles are open. Come prepared to sing 30 seconds or less of a song in the style of the show. Live accompaniment will be provided. No pre-recorded music please.
Auditions will take place at the theatre located at 525 North, 400 West in Centerville. Enter in the building on the west side basement entrance. Please email the theatre at kdavies@cptutah.org to schedule an audition time.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Note: ages listed are approximate and represent how the characters read onstage, not necessarily the ages of the performers. Please note, where applicable, any requirements for on-stage intimacy or physicality.
MALE ROLES: HAROLD HILL: Smooth-talking con man and traveling salesman who beguiles the town before falling in love with Marian; overflowing with charm and charisma; kisses Marian; physically struggles with Charlie Cowell. RANGE: Ab2-F4, AGE: 30-45
MARCELLUS WASHBURN: Former con man and friend to Harold, now trying to settle down in River City; immensely likeable with comic timing; kisses Ethel; physically struggles with Charlie Cowell; leads an energetic dance. RANGE: A4-G2, AGE: 25-40
MAYOR GEORGE SHINN: The Mayor of River City, protective of his town and family; self-important, blustery, pompous, but not too bright. RANGE: Any, AGE: 40-60
WINTHROP PAROO: Marian’s adorable little brother who speaks with a lisp; precocious but moody. RANGE: C4-Eb5, AGE: 9-12
CHARLIE COWELL: Rival traveling salesman out to expose Harold Hill; determined and moralistic; kisses Marian; physically struggles with Marcellus and Harold; may also play a townsperson in some scenes. RANGE: Any, AGE: 25-45
TOMMY DJILAS: Trouble-making teenager who becomes an assistant leader of the boys’ band; rebellious but smart and handsome. RANGE: Any, AGE: 16-20
JACEY SQUIRES: Owner of livery stable and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the high tenor; married to Mrs. Squires. RANGE: C3-C5, AGE: 25-55
EWART DUNLOP: Owner of the general store and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the second tenor; married to Maud. RANGE: F3-F5, AGE: 25-55
OLIVER HIX: Banker and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the baritone; married to Alma. RANGE: B2-F4, AGE: 25-55
OLIN BRITT: Newspaper editor and school board member who bickers with his peers before joining them in the barbershop quartet as the bass. RANGE: F2-C4, AGE: 25-55
OTHER ROLES FOR MEN: Constable Locke, the town sheriff; Train conductor; Traveling salesmen; River City townspersons of all ages, shapes, and sizes some of them in “families”; River City boys/teens who sing, dance and join the boys’ band
FEMALE ROLES: MARIAN PAROO: Town librarian and piano teacher, sister of Winthrop and daughter of Mrs. Paroo; well-read, independent, head-strong, beautiful but elusive, hopelessly romantic but intensely guarded; kisses Harold and Charlie Cowell; RANGE: G3-A5, AGE: 25-35
MRS. PAROO: Widowed mother to Marian and Winthrop; sweet, cheerful, always busy, and slightly intrusive in her daughter’s love life; speaks with an Irish accent. RANGE: Ab3-Eb5, AGE: 45-55
EULALIE MACKECKNIE SHINN: Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife, a know-it-all busybody who knows everyone and everything in town; self-important, grandiose, gossipy, snobbish, and easily flattered; must have great comedic range without being over-the-top. RANGE: D4-D5, AGE: 40-50
AMARYLLIS: Marian’s piano student who likes Winthrop but teases him; sweet but a little bratty; must pretend to play the piano. RANGE: C4-E5, AGE: 9-12
ZANEETA SHINN: Mayor Shinn’s teenage daughter with a crush on Tommy Djilas; cute, feminine, a little daffy; dances energetically. RANGE: Any, AGE: 16-20
GRACIE SHINN: Mayor’s younger daughter. RANGE: Any, AGE: 9-12 ETHEL TOFFELMIER: Player piano player and town gossip who is dating Marcellus; jolly and friendly, but gossipy; kisses Marcellus. RANGE: Any, AGE: 25-35
ALMA HIX: Wife of Oliver Hix and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-45 MAUD DUNLOP: Wife of Ewart Dunlop and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-55 MRS. SQUIRES: Wife of Jacey Squires and a town gossip. RANGE: G4-G5, AGE: 25-55
OTHER ROLES FOR WOMEN/GIRLS: River City townspersons of all ages, shapes, and sizes, some of them in “families”; River City girls/teens who sing and dance.