The Grand Theatre acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territories of the Original storytellers and caretakers of this land, and of the Nations, both settler and Indigenous, who continue to uphold the various treaties of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapéewak
In London, our treaties include the 1796 Township Treaty and the 1822 Longwoods Treaty. The London Township Treaty was a regional treaty signed by diplomats representing all parties living on the land, which today we know as Southwestern Ontario. The Longwoods Treaty was signed by representatives of the Crown and the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and covers approximately 580,000 acres in the area
Locally, there are three first Nations Communities
They are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee Delaware Nation. We would also like to recognize the growing Indigenous urban population, comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, and affirm our commitment to welcoming these communities to the Grand Theatre, while working to remove barriers to access and participation.
We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, and tell stories together.
Designed by Katie Wilhelm
My parents were both educators and I was lucky to grow up in an environment where my opinions were valued, and given space and consideration. The young people portrayed in Newsies did not share this good fortune. The odds were most definitely stacked against them, and it is only in joining together that they carved out a space for their point of view to be heard and respected
It means so much to me, especially today, that Newsies is based on a true story. In the current environment, it is hard to see what we as individuals can do, to trust in our personal power These young people had no business taking on the mega giant that is publishing They had nothing to fall back on and were risking everything. They also had everything to gain. And so, they risked it all to fight for what they knew was right, to fight for all of their futures.
School Project is built upon This program shows us, year-after-year, just how much young people can do when given the space to grow into their potential. Whether onstage or behind-the-scenes, this huge group of young people have been challenged to the extreme on this show. It calls on them to execute all elements of musical theatre to the highest level This exceptional creative team has set the bar high, and day after day, those of us working with these students are deeply impacted by how they continually exceed our expectations.
“COURAGE CANNOT ERASE OUR FEAR COURAGE IS WHEN WE FACE OUR FEAR”
These are words for all of us to live by, and a beautiful sentiment for young people as they begin their journey in the world. Thank you for journeying with us.
The inspiration of this story sits well against the foundation that the Grand Theatre High
High School Project program sponsors JEANS ‘n ClASSICS
PRODUCTION SPONSORS come from away THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
disney’s frozen
ADVERTISING PARTNER VOIP SPONSOR
2025 GRAND GALA Presenting SPonsor SILVER SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
INHONOUROF THEALUMNIOFTHE Channers Daisy Flowers
HIGHSCHOOLPROJECT
sPRIET tHEATRE sPONSORS
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
PUBLICFUNDERS
Toboggan Brewing Co
Sportswood Printing
Nash Jewellers Tre Amici Wines
LONDON MADE SPONSORS
SPRIET STAGE, SEPTEMBER 17 to 27, 2025
OPENING NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
High School Project production of Disney’s
NEWSIES THE
MUSICAL
Music by Lyrics by Book by
Alan Menken Jack Feldman Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
Orchestrations by Danny Troob Incidental Music & Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kosarin Dance Arrangements by Mark Hummel
DISNEY’S NEWSIES
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www MTIShows com
Shakotshanunyatha Doxtator Oscar Delancey/Ensemble
Josephine Gajasan Ms Jacobi/Ensemble
Sam Harson Darcy/Ensemble
Isabelle Hiltz Jo Jo/Ensemble
Aya Holzberg Albert/Ensemble
Alexis Khanna Mush/Ensemble
Solange Kirkwood Spot Conlon/Ensemble
Eva Klimchuk Mike/Ensemble
Rendall Lackenbauer Bill/Ensemble
Jack Lindsay Splasher/Ensemble/Co-Dance Captain
Lara Manocchi Nun/Ensemble
Morgan McLenaghan Roosevelt/Ensemble
Erica Mota Extra Extra!/Ensemble
Paxton Nair Davey/Ensemble
Tessa Pritchett-White Les/Ensemble
Taylor Reaume-Cunning Finch/Ensemble
Hannah Reid Ike/Ensemble
Trent Robichaud Jack Kelly/Ensemble
Sal Rogers Sherlock/Ensemble
Santiago Rojas Bunsen/Ensemble
Solarah Rose Specs/Ensemble
Olivia Schiedel Buttons/Ensemble/Co-Dance Captain
Alexandra Stockford Joseph Pulitzer/Ensemble
Navya Vaillancourt Snyder/Ensemble
Desi vanBeek-Paterson Race/Ensemble
Chloe Webb Wiesel/Ensemble
David Weber Tommy Boy/Ensemble
Lyla Worrall Watson/Ensemble
PRODUCTION STUDENTS
Adelaide Alcantara Lighting
Reagan Berdan Wardrobe
Zane Donohue Wardrobe
Olivia Lee Wardrobe
Meyer Liston Wardrobe
Eris Marles Wardrobe
Virginia McCallum Wardrobe
Madelaine Prémont Wardrobe
Jordan Porter Photography & Marketing
Abby Cullaton Scenic Art
Koda Greene Cavanagh Scenic Art
Maks Garside Props
Chloe Laporte Props
Hazel Nicholson Props
Caelin Smeenk Props
Elliot Hull Sound
Alyssa McCulloch Sound
Mollie Jennings Stage Management
Quentin Vieira Stage Management
Joni Lau Stage Crew
Ava Lewis Carpentry
ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
Cloe Royer Clarinet
Daniel Tennant Keys 2, Music Assistant
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I was immediately intrigued when Rachel Peake first approached me with the idea of directing Disney’s Newsies for the Grand Theatre High School Project. The show is a rare opportunity for young artists to portray characters who are, by and large, the same age as they are; experiencing the same agonies and victories, insecurities and triumphs, fears and foibles. While in 2025 we are fortunate to live in a time where child labour is outlawed, the themes of stepping into leadership, welcoming outsiders into your group, and discovering the power of community are universal and timeless, resonating no matter the century. Growing up is hard and that’s that.
At first glance, Newsies is about a group of kids who go on strike after repeatedly being taken advantage of by rich and powerful people, but it’s really about young people discovering what it means to be the future. Discovering what it means to be stronger than the elite BECAUSE of a commitment to community care, and unity. It’s about finding the bravery to speak truth to power, seek justice, and demand equality. It is about embracing fear and vulnerability, and celebrating imagination and vision
As a parent, artist, and educator I have found so much fulfillment in working with the young artists you will see onstage tonight, as well as the offstage artists and artisans whose work you are experiencing (stage crew, wardrobe, stage management, props, scenic art, carpentry, lighting, sound, orchestra, music department, marketing, and more) Each one of them has scaled their own personal Mount Everest through this process and come out on the other side with a greater sense of confidence and individuality, the power of their point of view, and tangible skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.I am so proud of them, and I hope you are too!
Thank you to Kat Theriault & Drayton Entertainment Props Department, and to Alison and Benjamin Merrick for providing assistance with the Printing Press.
MARISSAALLEN she/her
MotherTeresaCatholicS.S. HANNAH/ENSEMBLE
KEIRAHBUCKLEY they/she
H B BealS S KATHERINEPLUMBER/ ENSEMBLE
ISAACDEMELO he/him
H B BealS S HENRY/ENSEMBLE
SAMHARSON he/him
H B BealS S DARCY/ENSEMBLE
ABENABAAH-FRIMPONG she/her
LondonCentralS.S. SEITZ/ENSEMBLE
JOSHUACASSAR he/him SaundersS S MORRISDELANCEY/ENSEMBLE
EVANDOERR he/him
H B BealS S ELMER/ENSEMBLE *FightCaptain
ISABELLEHILTZ she/her
H.B.BealS.S. JOJO/ENSEMBLE
HAYDENBAERTSOEN he/him
SirFrederickBantingS.S. ROMEO/ENSEMBLE
LELANDCHAFEE he/him H B BealS S CRUTCHIE/ENSEMBLE
SHAKOTSHANUNYATHA DOXTATOR he/him LondonCentralS S OSCARDELANCEY/ENSEMBLE
From the cast and crew meet and greet until the team moves to its final rehearsals on the Spriet Stage, the magic of theatre comes alive in the Grand Theatre’s rehearsal halls, props, wardrobe, and scene shops, located right here, in London, Ontario
PICTURED CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: LYLA WORRALL, SOLARAH ROSE, HAYDEN BAERTSOEN (CAST) KODA GREENE CAVANAGH (SCENIC ART) JONATHAN TSCHIRCHART-SECONDSCENICCARPENTER, ANDAVALEWIS(CARPENTRY) HAZEL NICHOLSON (PROPS) VIRGINIA MCCALLUM (WARDROBE) PHOTOS BY JORDAN PORTER
ARTISTS
RAY HOGG
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Controlled Damage
KRISTA LEIS
Choreographer
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Mirvish/Crow’s/Musical Stage Co); A Strange Loop (Soulpepper, Crow’s, TO Live, Musical Stage Co); Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Theatre Calgary); Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), Dixon Road, Starwalker (The Musical Stage Company); Da Kink In My Hair (Arts Club Theatre Co); Cats, The Producers, Sister Act, Shrek, Little Shop of Horrors (Rainbow Stage); Five Guys Named Moe, Dreamgirls, Billy Elliot (Neptune Theatre); Indecent (Segal Centre); Mary Poppins, Love and Information, An Enemy of the People, Damn Yankees and Chicago (Sheridan College)
OTHER: He has held two tenures as an Artistic Director that ushered in record-breaking artistic success at Rainbow Stage (2012 - 2017) and The Musical Stage Company (2021-2025) He is the founding Artistic Director of Prime Mover Theatre Company and an Associate Artist at Neptune Theatre
MATTHEW ATKINS
Musical Director
Director FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: The Phantom of the Opera, Finding Black Joy, The Great Grand Road Trip, Comfort & Joy. THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Legally Blonde, Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, Big Fish (Original Kids Theatre); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Musical Theatre Productions).
OTHER: BMus, BEd, MMus from Western University Matthew is a secondary school teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board. He is also the Artistic Director of the London Gospel Collective @matkinsmusic
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Pride and Prejudice THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Choreographer: In Studio: The Words and Music of Britta Johnson (Theatre Sheridan); Snow White: The Panto (The Capitol Theatre) Associate/Assistant Choreographer: La Cage Aux Folles, Man of La Mancha, West Side Story (Stratford Festival) In The Heights (Associate Director and Choreographer, Theatre Sheridan); Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway); 10 seasons as a performer with the Stratford Festival
FILM AND TV CREDITS: Roxana (Bravo); The Music Man (Disney); Romeo and Juliet (Stratfest at Home)
OTHER: Krista is also the proud owner of The Movement Centre Pilates and Rehabilitation Studio in Stratford, ON
JOSHUA QUINLAN
Set Design Consultant
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Million Dollar Quartet
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Casey And Diana, Every Little Nookie (Stratford Festival); Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Uncle Vanya (Crow’s/Mirvish); The Master Plan (Crow’s/Soulpepper/Aquarius); Rosmersholm, Wights (Crow’s); Hamlet (Canadian Stage); Casey And Diana (Aquarius/RMTC); Hedda Gabler, Yerma (Coal Mine); The Sound of Music, The Music Man (TIP); Waitress, Little Shop of Horrors (Port Hope); The Drawer Boy, My Hero (PSFT); An Enemy of the People, Don Giovanni, Stupid F*cking Bird (OSU)
OTHER: MFA Theatre – Design, The Ohio State University; BA Honours Drama, University of Windsor Siminovitch Protégé Designer, Dora Award Winner
RAYHOGG
MATTHEWATKINS KRISTALEIS
JOSHUAQUINLAN
It’s Opening Nig and it's not goi
Hang onto your and experience Broadway's fun play, about the murder myster
BYHENRYLEWIS HENRYSHIELDS
ARTISTS
LISA WRIGHT
Costume Designer
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Head of Wardrobe 2008 – present Homes: A Refugee Story, High School Projects: The Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, Titanic, Prom Queen, Evita, Les Misérables School Edition, Hello, Dolly!, The Addams Family: A New Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Footloose, Anything Goes, Grease Other: Art, The Mountaintop, Fly Me to the Moon, Hair Assistant Head of Wardrobe for 7 seasons; came to the Grand Theatre as a tailor in 1989
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Stratford Festival, Livent, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Banff Theatre Centre
ECHO ZHOU周芷會
Lighting Designer
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Debut
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Benevolence, A Poem for Rabia (Tarragon Theatre); Comfort Food (Crow's Theatre); Blind Dates, The Year of the Cello (Theatre Passe Muraille); Cymbeline (Stratford Festival); Rocking Horse Winner (Tapestry Opera); The Chinese Lady (Studio 180); Between a Wok and a Hotpot (Cahoots Theatre); HMS Pinafore (Vancouver Opera); Every Brilliant Thing (Thousand Island Playhouse); White Girls in Moccasins (Manidoons Collective); MrShi and His Lover (Music Picnic)
OTHER: Echo is an award-winning, proud Chinese immigrant and Toronto-based scenographer Her designs have been presented in Japan and China Echo is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. For Grandpa, 獻 給 敬 愛 的 嗲 嗲 . www echozhoudesign com
EMILY PORTER Sound Designer
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: The Sound of Music, Home for the Holidays, Into the Woods, Prom Queen, Titanic.
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Rez Gas, Waitress, The Full Monty, A Year With Frog & Toad, The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom (The Capitol Theatre); Midsummer Night’s Deam: 1970’s Musical, The Sound Of Music (The Citadel); Jersey Boys (Charlottetown Festival); Ms Holmes & Ms Watson Apt 2B, This is Tom Jones! (The Human Race Theatre); Little Women, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT (Stratford Festival); Beauty & The Beast (The Globe Theatre); Mamma Mia! (Rainbow Stage, Neptune Theatre)
OTHER: Member of ADC659 and teaches Theatrical Sound Design and Technology at the university level.
KRISTI HANSEN Disability Consultant
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Much Ado About Nothing, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Bard on the Beach); Dance Nation (SkirtsAfire); Beautiful Scars (Theatre Aquarius); The Sound of Music (RMTC/Citadel Theatre); The Silver Arrow, Alice Through the Looking Glass (Citadel Theatre); The Bear (Caravan Farm Theatre); A Doll’s House: Part 2 (Wild Side Productions); Sweeney Todd (Plain Jane Theatre); Dear Rita (Confed Centre); Candide (Edmonton Opera); Love’s Labour’s Lost, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Comedy of Errors, King Lear, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Freewill Players)
OTHER: www kristihansen ca
ARTISTS
MIKEDUFAYS
MIKE DUFAYS
KAITLYN KAEMINGH
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Debut.
Fight Director
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Actor: Arigato, Tokyo (Buddies in Bad Times) Asst Fight Director: Dangerous Liasons, King of Theives, Julius Ceaser, MacBeth, Bartholomew Fair (Stratford).
FILM & TV CREDITS (Selected): Actor: Titans (HBOMax), Bad Blood (New Metric Media) Fight Director: Macbeth (Rick Chrisholm Prod), Romeo & Juliet (Rick Chisholm Prod)
OTHER: Founding member of RiotACT. Taught at the 20th anniversary Fight Director's Canada National workshop Nominations: Actor: CCC nomination for Voice of the turtle (Classic Theatre Festival); Stunt Performer: Breakout Male Action Star at AOFF for Heroic Bloodshed (EOS) Awards: CAC grant recipient for stage combat apprenticeship
MELISSA CAMERON Stage Manager
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Waitress, The Sound of Music, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Controlled Damage, Grow, Re:Opening Festival (Seeds of Self & One Year), Chariots of Fire, Once, Anything Goes, MixTape, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Jersey Boys, Maggie, Anne of Green Gables, Munschables (Charlottetown Festival); Waitress, Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); Sweeney Todd, The Gamblers, I Claudia, Offline (Talk is Free Theatre); Hurry Hard, Miracle on 34th Street (Chemainus Theatre Festival); The Last Five Years, She Loves Me, The 39 Steps (Rose Theatre); Legally Blonde (Theatre Sheridan); Gin Game, Cottagers & Indians, Crimes of the Heart, Boeing Boeing, Dial M for Murder, Barefoot in the Park (Watermark Theatre).
Apprentice Stage Manager
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Debut. THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Life After (Mirvish Productions); The Shaw Variety Show, Roll of Shaw (Shaw Festival); The Inheritance (Canadian Stage); Beauty and the Beast (Calgary Opera); The Birds, Così fan tutte (Pacific Opera Victoria).
OTHER: Graduate of the BFA Theatre & Creative Writing Program at the University of Victoria
MELISSACAMERON KAITLYNKAEMINGH
ARTISTS
MARIANNA GRIGG Cello
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams Family, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Garden City Productions).
OTHER: Graduate of the BMus Honours in Orchestral Trumpet Program at the University of Western Ontario
TONY DE LUCA Reeds
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: The Sound of Music, Matilda, The Phantom of The Opera, Elf (2022), Home for the Holidays, Mary Poppins, Joni Mitchell: River, Elf (2013).
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Annie, Chicago, Billy Elliot, Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls (Stratford Festival); Anything Goes (Shaw Festival); The Crooner, Broadway Heroes, Sounds of Sinatra (Drayton Entertainment); Sweet Soul Music, Camelot, Yesterday Once More, The Fiddler and The Crooner, Wonderful World Starring Ben Vereen, Broadway Heroes, Everything Elvis, Sounds of Sinatra, Starbright, X-mas Jamboree (VPP)
FILM AND TV CREDITS: Canada’s Got Talent S2:E5, E8, E9 with The Stacey Kay Band - Golden Buzzer Winners and Finalists America’s Got Talent S10:E10.
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Waitress, The Sound of Music, Matilda, The Phantom of the Opera, Into The Woods, Grow, Home for the Holidays
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Featured Musician at the “Bridgerton Live Experience” (Netflix/Fever Productions) and London Candlelight Concerts Graduate of the MMus Program at McGill University, Graduate of the BMus Program at Western University. National Youth Orchestra 2017-2018, International Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, London Symphonia
JEFF LUPKER
Guitar
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Grease.
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Life After (Musical Stage Company); American Idiot, Edges, Avenue Q, Les Miserables (Original Kids).
OTHER: PhD at Western University Co-founder of Staccato (www staccato ai)
ALEXA BROWN Trumpet
ARTISTS
CELINE MURRAY
Violin
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, Into The Woods, Grow, The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): The Magic Flute (Opera McGill); West Side Story (Beal Musical Theatre); Hairspray (JPII); Seussical The Musical (CCH)
FILM AND TV CREDITS: A Celtic Family Christmas - Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy (VisionTV).
OTHER: Honors Bachelor of Music Degree specialized in Violin Performance at McGill University, Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Champion, Stratford Summer Music Festival, Home County Music & Arts Festival, Ontario Youth Symphony, London Youth Symphony
MARK SWAN
AIDAN WASSE
Bass Guitar
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Debut
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): Memphis to Motown (Lighthouse Festival); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello, Dolly! (MTP); A Chorus Line, The Music Man (BMT)
OTHER: Graduate of the Music Industry Arts and Audio Post Production programs at Fanshawe College
FOR THE GRAND THEATRE: Grease.
Drums
THEATRE CREDITS (SELECTED): America's Got Talent (Season 10), The Grey Cup ('24), Canadian Country Music Awards ('24), NHL All Star Game ('24).
Disability, Identity, and Justice in Disney’s Newsies
In Disney’s Newsies, audiences are swept into a world of rebellion and resilience—but within the energetic story is a quieter thread about disability, survival, and justice.
Crutchie, one of the central newsies, is disabled. His leg is impaired, he walks with a crutch, and the crutch represents a symbol of difference to the world around him that becomes part of his identity which, in the story of Newsies, is used to help him sell more papers Disability, in this context, is used to generate public empathy But Crutchie also knows he must not show too much vulnerability. Too often, disability is seen as weakness, or something to be pitied, hidden, or overcome
The story challenges familiar narratives around disability: that it needs to be “fixed,” or that disabled characters exist only to inspire others. Jack dreams of Santa Fe, painting it as a utopia with “fresh air” and “ a palomino for Crutchie,” suggesting that after a “few months of clean air, [Crutchie] could toss that crutch for good” Yet Newsies reminds us that disability is not a problem to solve As Jack notes, everyone may face disability someday it’s a shared human experience.
Disability justice intersects deeply with labour justice Davey and Les’s father, injured and out of work, receives no support revealing how easily disabled people are discarded in systems without protection, access, or care
Kristi Hansen, a disabled theatre artist who works as an actor, access coordinator, director, and educator, joins the HSP Newsies team as a Disability Consultant Grand Theatre audiences may recognize Kristi as “Dorothy” in The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare. As the role of Crutchie in our HSP production is played by an ablebodied performer, Kristi worked with the actor directly, shared information on Disability Culture with the cast, and supported the team throughout the process Her leadership helped guide this portrayal with care, authenticity, and respect.
Let Newsies be more than a call to action —let it be a moment of transformation.
Directed by Jonathan Christenson Original Choreography by Laura Krewski Choreography by Courtney Arsenault Set Costume, Lighting, Projection Design by Bretta Gerecke Sound Design by Matthew Skopyk Photo by Dahlia Katz
Patrick Tombs and the company of Disney’s Newsies (2018, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Jersey Shore) Photo by Rich Kowalski
NEWSIES STOP THE PRESSES! THETRUEHISTORYOFTHE
Disney’s Newsies is based on the real story of the Newsboys’ Strike of 1899 – when New York’s papers raised the costs for their young workers, who then assembled by the thousands, declared a strike, and effectively brought news distribution to a halt In 1898, several publishers raised the cost of 100 papers from 50 to 60 cents. On July 18, 1899, a group of newsboys in Long Island, New York, overturned a New York Journal distribution wagon in protest. Days later, a city-wide rally drew approximately 5,000 newsboys from Manhattan, 2,000 from Brooklyn, and hundreds more from across the city. One week later, the newsboys successfully negotiated new terms with the papers and returned to work with a story of their own to proudly share.
The stage adaptation of Newsies also honours the hardworking newsgirls, and early female journalists and activists, who worked alongside
turn-of-the-century newsboys. In the popular 1992 motion picture, Bill Pullman played New York Sun reporter Bryan Denton On the stage, Pullman’s Denton is replaced by determined arts reporter Katherine Plumber, making her way in the male-dominated world of journalism Named for the real-life daughter of Joseph Pulitzer, Katherine is a fictional icon for today’s newswomen, who are still navigating gender in the industry. It is felt that Katherine is inspired by one of history’s early female journalists, Nelly Bly, whose voice rang out against pigeonholing women into domestic roles, called for divorce reform, and exposed the poor factory conditions of working women and children –before going on to become a foreign correspondent and eventually, an undercover investigative reporter for Pulitzer's newspaper, the New York World. NEWSBOYSANDNEWSGIRL GETTINGAFTERNOON PAPERS.NEWYORKCITY.U.S.NATIONALARCHIVESAND RECORDSADMINISTRATION
“Wrongs will be righted “Wrongs will be righted IF WE’RE UNITED. IF WE’RE UNITED.
-Davey Jacobs, Disney’s Newsies
““
The Grand Theatre is proud of our partnerships with the following unions and professional associations:
Student company members were asked to complete this sentence:
“NEWSIES IS ABOUT , BUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT . ”
...HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR RESPONSES:
Newsies is about escaping your current life, but it’s really about staying put and fighting for a better one. SOLANGEK.
Newsies is about the 1899 newboys’ strike but it’s really about the power and impact of young voices. DANIEL T.
Newsies is about taking power, but it’s really about discovering the power within you. AYAH.
Newsies is about community and having dreams but it’s really about young people stepping up to take their place in the world. DAVIDW.
Newsies is about getting on a train to Sante Fe but it’s really about finding Sante Fe within the community and life you lead.
RENDALLL
Newsies is about carrying the banner but it’s really about carrying each other.
ALEXISK.&OLIVIAS.
Newsies is about a strike for fair paper prices, but it’s really about kids finding their strength and coming together to fight for a better future. SANTIAGOR.
Newsies is about yelling loudly about the news but it’s really about learning that the “woild is yer erster!”
MADELAINEP
Newsies is about boys and girls fighting for fair pay, but it's really about the strength of friendship and solidarity.
Newsies is about “A big life in a small town” but it’s really about learning to value the little things in life. QUENTINV.
Y o u ’r e i n
GRAND
COMPANY
HOUSING A GRAND ARTIST
DID YOU KNOW that Grand Theatre productions engage top-tier professional artists from across the country and around the world? For each show at our theatre, actors, designers, directors, and more travel to London, Ontario, and take up residence for weeks, if not months, at a time
The Forest City becomes a home for these artists, in very large part thanks to the London households that open their homes and host them during their residencies at the Grand.
Grand Theatre Housing Partners can live alongside an artist throughout the creative process, celebrate on opening night, and are an important part of the theatre magic that takes place at the Grand. Accommodations can be
private, part of a home, or a temporary addition to a home.
These world-class artists bring their talents to our city. Their work supports arts, culture, tourism, and a thriving downtown core as part of our season at the Grand. The generosity and warmth of Grand Theatre Housing Partners make all the difference for artists away from home for such an extended period – and are a large part of why so many artists are thrilled to return to the Grand over and over through the seasons.
The Grand Theatre provides enriching theatre experiences that ignite the imagination and connect learning with creativity. Whether you're a teacher or student, we have packages, programs, workshops, and tools designed with you in mind
EDUCATORS’ NIGHT OUT
Educators of all descriptions are invited to subscribe to Wednesday previews at a discounted rate of $300 for all 6 productions. Enjoy a post-show discussion with fellow patrons and artists from the show at AfterWORDS!
join the student club
Join us for Thursday preview performances and become an important part of our Grand community with other like-minded students from across the city Enjoy pizza and six shows on the Spriet Stage for only $120!
STUDENT
Same-day Student Rush tickets are available for all Grand Theatre shows for $29 95 each!
You Are Very Welcome.
An awesome opportunity for hands-on training and mentorship by professional artists and coaches in all departments of the Theatre This program is open to any high school student from the London area, at zero cost to the student.
We are building a community that future generations can be proud of A community where everyone is welcome. A community where you can be yourself
grandtheatre.com/youth-education
SHOW YOUR GRAND TICKET
Your
Whether
to
curated event with artistic director
Concierge Ticketing Service
Invitation to early rehearsal
Free Access to Reception Space
celebrated on digital screens
Opening Night Subscription for two + wine & sweets invitation
Invitation to Season Secrets
An 11x17 Show Poster
Available Upon Request
Invitation to Holiday Sneak Peek
Two Complimentary Drink Tickets
Single Tickets at 15% Discount
Invitation to how the magic happens
Unlimited Ticket Exchanges
Recognition online & House Programs
Recognition in Annual Report
AGM Invitation & Voting Rights
Tax Receipt
Your ticket only covers half the cost of your seat. Without the support of our donors and sponsors, tickets would be much more expensive!
