Newsies by the Numbers
1,253 Patrons
Encore had the pleasure of welcoming over one thousand patrons during the opening weekend of Newsies. Crowds left with smiles on their faces and a tap dancing pep in their steps. Come join in on the fun!
44 Cast Members
With one of the largest Encore casts to date, Newsies delivers a powerful punch of energy and joy. From impressive company dance numbers to heart-wrenching solos and duets, this large cast has something to offer every theatre-goer.
22 Songs
We’ll allow a reviewer to describe the music of this Disney musical for us: “Newsies is full of multi-layered harmonies and all the vocals were beautifully done (nod to Music Director, Sarah Markovits) in company numbers like ‘Carrying the Banner,’ ‘Seize the Day,’ and ‘King of New York.’ Coupled with Collins’ challenging choreography, the cast of young artists wowed the audience time and time again” (DC Metro Theater Arts). If you love a catchy musical theatre tunes, Alan Menken’s score of Newsies is waiting for you!
21 Crew-sies
To match the wonderful music and amazing choreography is Kristen Jepperson’s masterful set of New York City. Those city streets won’t move themselves, however! Clad in hats, bow ties, and suspenders of their own, a talented group of “Crewtons” maneuver the sets, balance the microphones, channel the spotlights, and assist patrons at front of house. Sound like something you’d like to try? “Seize the Day” and try out for crew on Frozen Jr, August 5th and 6th.
3 Summers
2019 ushers in the third summer of a magnificent partnership: Elizabeth Pringle (Director) and Sarah Markovits (Musical Director), along with Rebecca Pfeil (Stage Manager), have collaborated for three consecutive Encore summer productions, beginning with The Music Man in 2017, followed by last summer’s Seussical. This trio clearly demonstrates that some things get even better with time; you won’t want to miss out on their most recent fruit of labor!
4 Reviews
Encore has been fortunate to receive several extremely kind reviews during the opening weekend of Newsies. Check out some of the highlights below:
“Musical-theater fans will get a kick out of summer Encore production.”
-Arlington Sun Gazette
“Encore’s production of Newsies is perfect for the whole family and is certainly a show that hits all the right notes!”
-Student Reviewer
“The quality of the show is made all the more remarkable by how much its youthful participants drive the show.”
–The Prince George’s Sentinel
“Newsies is full of multi-layered harmonies and all the vocals were beautifully done […] in company numbers like ‘Carrying the Banner,’ ‘Seize the Day,’ and ‘Kings of New York.’ Coupled with Collins’ challenging choreography, the cast of young artists wowed the audience time and time again.”
–DC Metro Theatre Arts
4 Shows Left
With four final performances selling fast, you will want to get your tickets before they’re gone “Once and For All.” Whether you prefer a matinee or an evening theatre outing, there are multiple offerings for you.
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sun, July 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
“A Veritable Nonstop Delight” – Newsies Guest Reviewer
After a whirlwind opening weekend of Newsies, we’re back on The Front Row today with a special guest reviewer, Mealy Cronin. Please enjoy this “theatre by kids for kids” review…by kids!
Running July 19th-28th at the Kenmore Middle School Theater, you don’t want to miss Encore Stage & Studio’s production of the Walt Disney film musical adaptation, Newsies. Encore is a theatre group “by kids for kids,” full of amazingly talented children and teens; each cast member provides professional level acting, singing, and dancing for your summer entertainment enjoyment!
Now, it’s hard to imagine a time before 24-hour news coverage, but at the turn of the 20th century, this was not the case. Newspaper hawkers, known as “newsies,” were the key to knowing all the happenings in one’s city, state, and world. Newsies, a musical-comedy drama with music by Alan Menken and based on the Walt Disney film, tells the tale of the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899.
Caught up in the power struggle between two publishing powerhouses, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, the newsies are forced to pay higher prices for the newspapers they buy from the distribution centers, resulting in a lower return per paper sold. To combat this, Jack Kelly and his rag-tag band of newsies go on strike and, aided by a sympathetic reporter, end up taking on the New York City publishing establishment and, ultimately, exposing the mistreatment of child workers.
Through rousing, motivating, and enthusiastic song and dance numbers like “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York,” the hardscrabble newsies convey all the youthful exuberance and heartache of the era. The young performers kept the audience – adults and children alike – captivated and thoroughly engaged throughout. They truly transport you back to a time before cell phones, television, and computers – where kids had to literally fight to be noticed and heard, let alone taken seriously.
Special applause goes to the incredible performances by Nasim Abdul Khaaliq (Les), Emma Kiely-Hampson (Katherine Plumber), and Kyle Dalsimer (Jack Kelly). Though the acting, singing, and dancing of the cast was extraordinary, these three conveyed the full range of sorrow, hardship, fun, and hope in a manner which belied their youthful ages.
Encore’s production of Newsies is perfect for the whole family and is certainly a show that hits all the right notes! From tap ensembles to truly professional dancing, choreography, singing, and acting, this is an experience that offers a lasting message of unity, courage, and optimism – a veritable nonstop delight!
The show’s run-time is 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Remaining performances run Thursday to Sunday at Kenmore Middle School Theater (202 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA 22204). Tickets are $15 for Adults, and $12 for Children, Students, Military, and Seniors and are available online at www.encorestage.org or by calling the box office at (703) 548-1154.
So take a break from the summer heat, put on your tap shoes and treat yourself to Newsies!
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sun, July 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Meet the Reviewer:
Mealy Cronin is a recent graduate of the Westminster School in Annandale, Virginia. A child-performer herself, Mealy is an enthusiastic fan of the theater, especially musical theater! Though headed off to high school at a Connecticut boarding school in the fall, Mealy hopes to come back and have the opportunity to view and review many more of these great Encore Stage and Studio shows upon her return!
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by guest reviewer Mealy Cronin. Edited by Shannon McCarthy.
A Newsies Headline Round-Up
In this week’s #TechTuesday, we heard from many members of our large cast of 44 actors. It was wonderful to hear about some of their favorite moments in rehearsal, as well as what the show means to them. Check out a few more cast accounts, then read the full report on The Front Row:
Sean Gilley: (Mr. Wiesel and Seitz) My favorite memory of the show was coming into my first rehearsal with the newsies and seeing how much they had accomplished in a short period of time. It got me motivated to step up and shine right along side of them. I am most excited to see the musical numbers and action set-pieces done with the proper set, lighting, and sound. Newsies is perfect for Encore: A newspaper union by kids, for kids.
Ali: (Youth Newsies, Scab) One of my favorite memories is being called a “nouth yewsie” by the director. Now we are just called “nouth yewsies” by everyone! I am excited for people to see the amazing dancing and the set. Encore’s [production of] Newsies is a production filled with character emotion.
Tilli: (Morris Delancey) My favorite memory from the entire rehearsal process was probably the first time we all got the harmonies during the finale. It was so wonderful to see all the pieces come together, especially then, because that was the end of the show. That’s something I’m excited about regarding the musical. The music is just absolutely amazing and to have it all come together with the entire cast is beautiful. Newsies is an inspiring story about perseverance and the power of the written word.
Making Headlines
Encore is thrilled to have been featured by several significant local publications, including MommyNearest, Arlington Magazine, and ARL Now. The cast and creative team welcomed a reporter (how meta!) from The Arlington Connection into the rehearsal room for a behind-the-scenes look in Encore’s production of Newsies.
Extra, Extra!
Haven’t purchased your papes? Looking for a sneak peak of what’s in store? Get hyped reading last week’s #FrontRowFriday:
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sun, July 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Photos by Cindy Kane Photography. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
From the Cast: A Newsies Rehearsal Update
Extra, extra, read all about it! Encore’s production of Disney’s Newsies opens this Friday. The buzz in the office about this show has been steadily growing to an excited roar. Today we’re pumped to check in with a few members of our cast, to learn a bit more about some of the characters that inhabit our streets of New York, as well as what has them amped up for this production run.
Madeleine: (Bowery Beauty, Newsie, Nun) My favorite memory of this show has been meeting a ton of new friends, because I have never been in an Encore show or known anyone from Encore! The thing that I’m most excited for in Newsies is getting to perform on the set, because it is so amazing. I’m also excited to perform the tap number “King Of New York.” Encore’s [production of] Newsies is an enjoyable, well put-together, and upbeat show that has been a great experience to be a part of!
Marz: (Youth Newsies) I am part of the strike and the union that’s been formed. One of my favorite memories during Newsies was when I walked into the theatre and saw the set for the first time. I was in shock of how amazing it looked and what I have the chance to be a part of. Newsies is something so much bigger then me, and I am so excited to see the magic come together onstage! To me, Newsies is about justice, finding your voice, bravery, loyalty, and love. I hope the audience feels the message that’s conveyed, and that they take it and spread it out into the world.
Dahlia: (Nun, Bowery Beauty, Dancer Newsie) My favorite memories from the rehearsal process focus on making new friends and dancing. I’m very excited to be able to share what we’ve worked on to our friends and family. If I could describe Newsies in one word, I would describe it as adventurous.
Emmie: (Nun, Newsies, Bowery Beauty) Newsies is a great musical about the newsboy strike of 1899, when the newsies went on strike for better wages after the politician Joe Pulitzer raises the price on the newspapers that the newsies have to sell, an unfair thing to do because the newsboys don’t get refunded for the papers they don’t sell and they have to eat. My favorite memory from the Newsies rehearsal process was learning the tap number for “King of New York.” I don’t have a whole lot of experience with tap, so at first when I found out I was going to be in the tap number I was a little nervous, but learning it was really fun and after practicing it a lot, I got all the steps and that felt really good. For the show, I think I’m most excited for the dance numbers, specifically the tap number and the dance number with the Bowery Beauties, which is so much fun too (we do a kick line!). It’s going to be a great show and I can’t wait to perform.
Xander: (Youth Newsie, Goon, Bill) The whole rehearsal process was so much fun, but one memory in particular that stands out is when we first started tech week. I enjoyed seeing the amazing sets the crew built for the first time, and it was fun to play games with the cast and try on costumes. It also made the show feel so real, that we were truly standing in Newsies Square and dancing in the streets of New York! I’m most excited for the fight scene at the end of “Seize the Day”; it is an intense all-out brawl filled with punches, kicks, chaos all over the stage, and more! It provides a sharp contrast to the determination the newsies have after singing about standing up to fight for what they believe in. Newsies has something for everyone, whether it’s the stage combat, amazing group numbers, New York accents, or beautiful sets and costumes. This show brings so many awesome talents together to tell the riveting tale of the newsboys strike of 1899.
Matthew: (Bunsen, Youth Newsie) I’ve had such a fun time rehearsing this show; one of my favorite memories of rehearsal was when we did our first full run-through because it was so amazing to see how all of our hard work come together. I’m so excited for the audiences to see this show because it’s a show for the whole family. Everyone will have a character to relate to. Encore’s production of Newsies is a whirlwind of beautiful singing, phenomenal dances, and a story for the ages.
Ben: (Joseph Pulitzer, the owner of The World and villain of the story) I have enjoyed being a part of this production with my son, Will, who plays a Nouth Newsie and the Policeman. My favorite memory of rehearsal was our first “stumble-through” — getting to see and hear our incredible cast do the full show for the first time! I am most excited to see the audience reactions. My brief description of Encore’s Newsies: an exuberantly energetic show with everything you could want in a musical!
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sun, July 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
5 Reasons Not to Miss Newsies
The choreography in this production is off the charts! Full of kicks, leaps, and taps that will leave you (and the cast) breathless, the dance numbers of Newsies do not disappoint, from the second number of the show on through to the finale.
The Harmony
Working hand in hand with Anneke Collins’ superb choreography are the gorgeous and catchy songs by Alan Menken. Music Director Sarah Markovits does a beautiful job working with the cast to draw out the emotional, moving, and motivating intricacies in each piece. You’ll definitely be humming all the way home from the theatre.
The Brawl
In contrast to the graceful dance moves and lovely singing, we’ve also got quite the staged brawl in store for our audiences. We won’t give away who wins, but with nearly every member of the cast onstage for the fight, the results are sure to be epic.
The Laughs
This newsboys’ union is chock full of wise-cracking hooligans, so be prepared to crack a smile, if not bust out an outright belly laugh.
The Cast
As so often happens in the making of theatre, life imitates art when it comes to the cast. The onstage bonds create real and meaningful friendships. These connections help actors to give even more of themselves to their characters, creating genuine and well-rounded characters as they support their fellow cast members. Come take in the talent, friendship, and joy that comes bursting out of this cast with each and every performance.
Performance Dates and Showtimes
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sun, July 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
Photos by Gemma Roberts. Video edited by Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
5 Ways to Style Your Exclusive Encore Tote
Although New York Fashion Week is still a few months away, our staff can’t get over our tote-ally cute new Season Member perk: the handy and versatile Encore tote bag! All dressed up and not sure where to go with your awesome new accessory? You’re in luck, because our staff not only loves a photo shoot, but also loves sharing news about Encore!
Bring your new favorite bag on a sidewalk stroll or even a trip to the farmers’ market – what a classy way to bring a fun pop of color to the world around you, all while being eco-friendly with your reusable tote. Wanting to get Down on the Farm yourself? We’ve got two spaces left in our new camp for 3 to 5-year olds:
Down on the Farm
The pigs “oink,” the cows “moo,” the chickens “cluck,” the ducks “quack,” and the horses “neigh” as the barnyard comes to life as we explore the sights and sounds of living Down on the Farm. Through movement, games, and song, we’ll create our very own barnyard of fun!
Fee: $220
Be Prepared
Encore totes make great rehearsal bags. There’s room for everything you need: your script, water bottle, jazz shoes, pencil, snacks, and more. Show your Encore pride on the way to rehearsal, back home, and everywhere in between! Gearing up for next season’s auditions? Mark down the dates and pack your bags, because it’s going to a wonderful season.
Summer Munchin’
Bring your Encore bag to camp! With room for your lunch, sweatshirt, umbrella, notebook, and snacks galore, you’ll feel like Mary Poppins herself when you roll up to summer camp. We’ve still got camp spaces open from ages 3 to 15, and we would love to have you join us in style!
Props for Days
From piles of Newsies‘ papes to seemingly hundreds of Who-housing clovers, Mr. Wonka’s candy bars to slippers as pure as gold, techies have to haul around some pretty interesting things. A sturdy Encore tote will certainly come in handy on your way to Tech Camp: Mary Poppins Jr. this summer; but quick! We only have one spot left for this summer.
Here’s to the Ladies (and Gents) Who Brunch
Your Encore-purple catch all is lovely for all of your weekend activities: yoga class, a trip to the market or library, brunch, and beyond! Want to be one of the first to know about upcoming Encore events such as the Benefit Breakfast? Make a donation to support “Theatre by kids, for kids” and join our beloved list of donors. We couldn’t make this magic happen without every single one of you!
Hopefully by now we’ve got you tote-ally pumped about our new Season Membership-exclusive bags. But wait! Even more perks await you when you join our Homecoming Season as a Member:
- Receive an exclusive season member tote
- Your choice of package, ranging from three to six shows
- Great savings for the entire family
- Best choice of seats
- Special access to pre-show events
- Easy ticket exchanges and more!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian. Instagram template by Gemma Roberts. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
5 Fantastic June Highlights
In case you haven’t heard, June is “bustin’ out all over.” As we head into the weekend, we’re happy to look back at what this first month of summer has held for Encore. We’re even more excited to share with our readers all the fun and adventure that await us in the coming months.
Although it made last month’s highlights as well, we’re still over the moon about our Homecoming Season Reveal that took place on June 2nd. For the 2019/2020, Encore Stage & Studio will be returning to our home of Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. Single tickets won’t be on sale until later this summer, but you can guarantee your best seats (and score some awesome Encore swag) by becoming a Season Member today. Purchasing a Membership is a huge and significant way to demonstrate your love for Encore and your trust that we will produce a season of quality productions.
Make New Friends and Keep the Old
With summer getting off to a running start this month, Encore saw many faces, new and returning alike. Camp training on June 5th brought together our wonderful team of camp directors, teaching artists, and camp aides as we prepared for an amazing #EncoreSummer. We also have six talented and creative interns joining us in various departments: Education, Marketing, and Production. Did you miss our interview with this year’s Arts Management intern, Brian? Click here to check it out!
On the Road Again
June brought Encore staff and students an exciting new opportunity – taking a production on tour! After two weekends of amazing shows, our world premiere of The Talented Clementine, based on the young readers’ series by Sara Pennypacker, got to travel to Little Washington, Virginia. The cast performed in the Theatre at Little Washington on June 15th, adding yet another first to this cast’s series of accomplishments and sharing the magic of “Theatre by kids for kids” with a whole new community.
Ready to rack up some accomplishments of your own? Check out the link for audition dates for Encore’s 2019/2020, then be sure to share on Instagram which shows you’re going out for! (Tag us @EncoreArlington!)
Off to the Races
Two weeks of summer camp have already flown by and we’re buzzing with excitement about everything that’s to come! Is your favorite camp close to selling out? Click here to find out!
Makin’ Front Page News
The cast of Newsies is hard at work, learning lines, drilling harmonies, and cleaning intricate dance numbers. From gorgeous notes to intense dance numbers, gorgeous costumes to unforgettable tunes, you won’t want to miss this show. “Seize the day” and buy your tickets now!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Alana Gibson, and Gemma Roberts. Graphic designs by Aileen Pangan Christian. Instagram template designed by Gemma Roberts. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
#EncoreSummer By the Numbers
Gather round the campfire, bust out the popsicles, and jump in the deep end, because summer is officially here! In today’s #TechTuesday, we’re breaking down the summer by the numbers, including which camps are getting close to selling out – so tune in, scroll down, and get ready to have a summer that’s a full 10 out of 10.
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
58 Summer Staff Members
The saying goes that “it takes a village to raise a child.” If that’s the case, it takes at least a small suburb to run a summer of educational programming:
6 Camp Directors
4 Locations
20 Teaching Artists
7 Interns (1 Stage Management, 5 Education, 1 Arts Management)
25 Camp Aides
Countless parents, siblings, friends, and more
25 Unique Camp Opportunities
From musical theatre fans to Shakespeare buffs, the smallest theatre explorer to the most experienced young actor, our #EncoreSummer has something to offer each student. With one, two, and three-week programming, there’s a way to fit “Theatre by kids, for kids” into the lives of your family this season.
11 weeks of It’s Elementary
5 weeks of Pre-K – NEW!
11 weeks of Scenes for Tweens
6 weeks of Stage Door
6 weeks of Tech Camp
3 weeks of Center Stage – NEW!
16 Early Childhood Opportunities
46 It’s Elementary Openings
17 Chances to Make Scenes (with) Tweens
1 Chance to Join in on the Stage Door/Tech Camp Fun
July 22-August 9, 2019: Tech Camp: Mary Poppins Jr. – 1 spot
From Encore’s many camps to our epic summer musical, community performances at Lubber Run, and more, there’s an adventure waiting for every theatre explorer! We can’t wait to celebrate the summer season with our Encore family, so don’t be a stranger. Questions? Give us a call at 703-548-1154 or shoot us an email at info@encorestage.org. Happy summer!
Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian, Rebecca Pfeil, and Connie Polnow. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
Your 2019 #EncoreSummer Bucket List
Greetings, Encore friends! With our first two camps starting on Monday, summer has most definitely arrived here at Encore. Our summer is jam-packed with wonderful events and opportunities, so we here at The Front Row have created a quick and easy #EncoreSummer Bucket List to get you started:
Haven’t signed up for summer camp yet? Well, you’re in luck, because we still have availability in many of our programs, especially for ages 3-5, 5-9, and 8-12! With a selection of one- and two-week programs, there’s an awesome camp adventure for every camper and schedule.
Catch the Headlines
Our Newsies cast is hard at work, drilling harmonies, memorizing lines, and tapping away every day to get one step closer to perfection. Our staff is certainly filled with anticipation. “Waitin’ makes me antsy,” so be sure to get your tickets to this energetic musical today.
Join the Team
With the announcement of Encore’s 2019/2020 Homecoming Season, we’re in recruitment mode. We’re looking for audience members with the loudest laughs, the strongest claps, and the biggest smiles. Think you’ll make the cut? Your chances will be even better from the best seats in the house, so become a Member today! Plus, you’ll score a sweet Members-only Encore tote bag.
Take In a Show
Can’t get enough of theatre? We’ve got four more productions coming your way this summer, courtesy of our Stage Door and Center Stage camp programs: Willy Wonka Jr, Sense and Sensibility, Mary Poppins Jr, and Into the Woods Jr. Grab a friend and come out to support “Theatre by kids, for kids!”
Let It Go
In case you haven’t heard, we’re more excited than a rock troll and a reindeer to be producing Disney’s Frozen Jr. next season. Mark your calendars for auditions, August 5 & 6, 2019!
Stay in the Loop
Already looking beyond summer? We’ve got you covered. Be sure to sign up for our email list to receive notice when our fall theatre classes go on sale. We’ve got some new and engaging classes and themes in the works; you won’t want to miss out.
From all of us here at Encore, we wish you the best summer possible. Tag us (@EncoreArlington) in your adventures as you work to complete your #EncoreSummer Bucket List – we can’t wait to see where this summer takes you!
Photos by Connie Polnow, Larry McClemons, Haley Olivenbaum, Aileen Pangan Christian, and Cindy Kane Photography. Encore jerseys designed and created by 2018/2019 Arts Apprentice Alana Gibson. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.
“An Exercise in Courage” with Emma Kiely-Hampson
A spirited #TechTuesday to all of you Encore fans out there! Today, we’ve got a special treat for our blog readers. We managed to snag the reporter of Newsies herself for a behind-the-scenes scoop on auditions, rehearsals, and more. Read on to hear from Encore’s latest star and “Watch What Happens”:
Encore: Please briefly introduce yourself. What is your background? How have you been involved in the arts in the past?
Emma: I’m Emma Kiely-Hampson! I’m playing Katherine in Encore’s production of Newsies. Musical theatre has always held a large piece of my heart. I’ve always loved to sing and just adore theatre as an art, so from middle school through undergrad I was involved in many productions, both on and off the stage, such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Brundibar.
Encore: How did you hear about auditions for Newsies? What made you want to audition?
Emma: I heard about auditions through a friend and decided that since I hadn’t been involved in theatre for about four years, it would be a fun show to dip my toes back into theatre with. I’d seen Newsies in both film form and on stage and it has always been one of my favorite shows. I am so excited to be a part of it.
Encore: What’s been the biggest challenge in rehearsals so far?
Emma: So far the largest challenge for me in rehearsals has been dancing, specifically tap dancing. I’ve never been too light on my feet, so having to train my body to do it and get out of my head in order to get the dance moves right has been hard. Every time I do get it right, it feels amazing, and I have great teachers and cheerleaders in our choreographer and my other cast members.
Encore: Have you had any “Ah ha!” moments during the rehearsal process?
Emma: My biggest “Ah ha!” moment in the rehearsal process has been when learning (really unlearning and relearning) the music and pace in Katherine’s solo. The song ends on a note that is right on the break of my voice, in between my head-voice and chest-voice range. I was struggling to get the note and not feel strangled. When our music director coached me through it, saying, “Open all of the notes around it,” I could feel my vocal chords get it when I tried again. It was a great feeling, and though I don’t get it right every time, I know I am capable and am confident I can do it.
Encore: What has you most excited about this role and/or production?
Emma: I am most excited about playing Katherine because of who she is; she is a rebel in her own right, though she isn’t of the newsies’ world. She is both sure of herself and trying to prove herself, which is something I’ve felt many times. Though she is anxious about getting things right and making things right, she never backs down, even though she has her doubts about success. And of course, this show is filled with powerful music that, even if Katherine isn’t a part of it onstage, I end up singing because I know it’s part of her heart too.
Encore: What advice would you give to other performers?
Emma: My advice to other performers would be always audition for that show you want to be in, even if you don’t think you’re as good as you need to be. Auditioning is an exercise in courage, and sometimes you have to push yourself farther than you think you are capable of going. Also, remember that your castmates are your teammates. You’re all playing towards the same goal: a great and exciting show. Because of this, it’s so important to treat everyone with kindness and grace: we will all make mistakes or miss something, but remembering that we all will do it and they are there for you is vital. Always support your castmates.
Encore: Describe Encore’s production of Newsies in three words or short phrases.
Emma: Two words and one small phrase to describe this show: Powerful. Exciting. Important for today’s world.
A huge thanks to Emma for taking the time to share her experiences and wisdom with all of us. We look forward to cheering her on from the audience as she taps like crazy and sings her heart out in Newsies, opening July 19th! Get your tickets today and join the fray:
Performance Dates and Showtimes for Disney’s Newsies
Photos by Shannon McCarthy, Joshua Hampson, Gemma Roberts, and Kim Kiely Photography. Video by Aileen Pangan Christian. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.