arts & entertainment
Young performers, grab your newspapers, warm up those voices, and get ready to make some noise! Riverside Theatre is calling all aspiring actors, singers, and dancers ages 8 and up to audition for Disney’s Newsies JR., coming to the Stark Stage in May 2027!
Based on the hit Disney movie, Newsies JR. is ah hour-long version of the award-winning Broadway musical featuring music by Alan Menken. The show is inspired by the true story of the young newspaper sellers of turn-of-the-century New York City. When the newsboys discover that powerful newspaper publishers are taking advantage of them, they decide they’ve had enough! With courage, determination, and a whole lot of teamwork, they band together to fight for what’s right.
Filled with exciting musical numbers, energetic choreography, and an inspiring story about friendship, standing up for yourself, and the power of working together, Newsies JR. is a fantastic opportunity for young performers to shine!
Riverside Theatre is accepting online video auditions from young performers ages 8 and up. To audition, students will sing a song of their choice from Newsies using a backing track from the show. Audition forms, videos, and requested photos must be submitted through the designated links on Riverside Theatre’s audition page.
The audition deadline is Monday, November 30, 2026, at 4 pm. All audition materials must be submitted completely and correctly by the deadline to be considered.
THE DETAILS!
- Who Can Audition: Young performers ages 8 and up
- Audition Deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, by 4 pm.
- Weekly Rehearsals: Fridays, January 8–May 7, 2027, from 4:30–6:30 pm.
- Final Week Rehearsals: Monday–Thursday, May 3–6, from 4:30–6:30 pm.
- Performance: Friday, May 7, 2027, at 5 pm. on Riverside Theatre’s Stark Stage (actor call time is 4 pm.)
This is a fully staged and choreographed production of Newsies JR. and is presented in a special performance style that puts the spotlight squarely on the young performers. Rather than using elaborate sets, costumes, and props, the emphasis will be on the students, their performances, and the exciting story they’re bringing to life.
To find audition instructions, complete the online audition form, and submit videos and photos, visit:
www.riversidetheatre.com/audition
About Riverside Theatre
Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida, is the largest professional producing theatre in a small-town in America, operating in association with Actors’ Equity Association, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, United Scenic Artists, and IATSE Local 500. Under the leadership of Jon R. Moses, Riverside serves as a premier cultural and lifestyle destination on Florida’s Treasure Coast, offering Broadway-caliber productions alongside hospitality and community engagement. The Theatre produces a year-round season of musicals and plays and theatre arts education for youth and adults, and expands its programming through the Distinguished Lecturer Series, concerts, and civic events that enrich the region’s cultural life. The campus experience includes Star Suites, Riverside’s owned and operated extended-stay hotel for visiting artists, guests, and general public, and The Loop Kitchen and Bar, featuring outdoor dining, live music, and curated cuisine under the oaks. Riverside is committed to arts education, providing no-cost programs for Indian River County students, and partners with leading local organizations to make its campus a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and community connection. Learn more at RivesideTheatre.com.
