Extra! Extra! Live Oak Theatre has announced open auditions for its production of Newsies, a timeless, spirited musical production that has made its way from the movie screen to the Broadway stage to the stages of Live Oak, located at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville.
“Prior to the pandemic, we normally did open auditions for the company twice a year,” said Vince Vanni, Live Oak spokesman, actor, and conservatory teacher. “This also gives us an opportunity to expose our company to the talent that is out there.”
To be considered for this audition, any talent–whether or not they’ve been involved in a Live Oak Theatre production–should submit a video audition of themselves performing a pre-selected monologue from Newsies and a pre-selected, character-specific song from the show by Saturday, October 30. Newsies, to be directed at Live Oak by Andi Garner, will be performed March 18 through April 3 at Live Oak Theatre.
“This audition is not for the uninitiated. This is not an easy show,” said Vanni. “Director Andi Garner is requiring specific monologue and vocal video auditions before she even considers someone for the dance call back.”
Newsies finds its origins as a 1992 Disney film that told the musical story of a real-life Newsboy strike that took place in New York in the late 1800s. Starring Christian Bale and Robert Duvall, the motion picture inspired the musical stage production known as Disney NEWSIES: The Broadway Musical. This Tony-award-winning production features music from the legendary Alan Menken.
Full instructions regarding the audition process for the Live Oak production of Newsies can be found on the Live Oak Theatre website at https://www.liveoaktheatre.org/gallery. All auditions will take place at the theatre.
Those who review the full instructions and still have questions can email [email protected].
“You can see that the instructions are quite specific,” said Vanni. “Those who audition must be able to sing and act as well as dance.”
Live Oak Conservatory teachers are willing to lend a helping hand to talented performers who wish to learn more about this top-tier, highly complex production.
“Andi has directed this show before and is fully aware of what’s required,” said Vanni. “On the other side… both Andi and I are allowing people to audit our classes (My acting class and her musical theatre class) on Monday if they need help with the monologue or the song & dance.”
And in the case of select productions, Newsies included, the ‘accent’ on dialogue coaching is particularly strong.
“I have been teaching accents (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and of course… cockney for “Oliver! Jr.”),” said Vanni. “Yes, there is a difference between the accents of the different boroughs of New York. I can tell if you are from Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Long Island.”
The Executive Production sponsor for Newsies is PASCO HERNANDO STATE COLLEGE. The Production Design Sponsor for Newsies is DAY METAL PRODUCTS.
Live Oak Theatre Company (LOT) is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) repertory company of local artists, located at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34601. The Live Oak Theatre Company exists to enrich families, individuals and the community as a whole by providing positive artistic experiences in the Performing Arts – including excellent, affordable, and edifying family-friendly entertainment, performance, and educational opportunities for Theatre patrons and participants of all ages.
For more information about the Live Oak Theatre Company, including sponsorship and audition opportunities, call 352-593-0027, email [email protected], or go to www.LiveOakTheatre.org. Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LiveOakTheatre.
“You should know that there are kids out there who have been preparing for this audition since we announced that we are doing the show during our summer program,” said Vanni. “Everyone is very excited.”
Image by Artist and zabiyaka from Pixabay
