Open auditions for the Southwestern College Summer Theatre Festival production of the 2012 Tony Award-winning musical “Newsies” will be on Friday, May 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Richardson Performing Arts Center, and on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Winfield High School Auditorium.  “Newsies” will be performed July 12, 13, and 14.

The auditions are for all ages.  Individuals auditioning can prepare a song or can sing a song from the show.  Contact director Allyson Moon at (620) 229-6328 or by email at Allyson.moon@sckans.edu, to request audition materials.  Scenes from “Newsies” will be used for the acting portion of the audition and will be provided.  Dance auditions will also be included.

“‘Newsies’is a musical that inspires,” says Moon.  “Who doesn’t love a really good story that features the triumph of the underdog against impossible odds?  That inspiration is doubled or tripled when it is done with song and dance.  This musical sends a message of hope for all the little people in the world, and most of us are the little people.”

“Newsies” is a musical based on the 1992 musical film “Newsies,” which in turn was inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein based on the film's screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.

Other productions for the summer include “Madagascar” June 7 and 8, and “Nunsense” July 26, 27, and 28.