Extra, Extra "Newsies" Performed on the NCCS Stage

“The students were all supportive of one another and they truly worked together as an ensemble during this entire process,” said Director of the Arts Andrew Tyson, the production’s director, musical director, and conductor. “They showed up each and every day with smiles on their faces, ready to work.” 

“One of the most enjoyable parts of putting on a musical is seeing the creativity that each student brings to their character,” added Performing Arts Teacher Lindy Bourque. “Although each character is scripted with certain traits, Mr. Tyson and I encourage the students to incorporate their own ideas, whether that be a backstory, a strut or different accent. It is a proud moment when a student takes ownership of their character.” 

“I had never done a musical before, but my sister had been in the Middle School productions, and it looked like a lot of fun,” said seventh-grader Henry Irwin who played the role of Jack Kelly, the charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, and an orphaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West. “I wasn’t really nervous to try out because everyone was supportive. I decided to go for the lead - I thought, why not? When I landed it, I was really excited and I practiced a lot. Memorizing all of the lines was the hardest part, but everyone was very helpful.”

In her fourth musical production at Country School, ninth-grader Lillian Back brought confidence and experience to the role of Joseph Pulitzer, a pompous businessman who is concerned solely with the bottom line of his newspaper empire. 

“My character was supposed to be a powerful male, and I decided to embody the role with a larger-than-life stage presence and I used a booming voice to command attention and intimidate the other characters,” said Lillian. By contrast, when not in character, Lillian took a more inclusive approach to interacting with her castmates. “This play gave us the opportunity to add four seventh graders to our already existing friend group,” she said. “Spending so much time on a shared goal is such a bonding experience. I have lifelong friends coming out of this experience.”

Eighth grader Michaela Springer who played spunky reporter and a main protagonist, Katherine Pulitzer “Plumber,” agreed.

“When you are a member of an ensemble, it is really important that you connect with the other people on stage authentically and it makes for a better performance if you are all genuinely comfortable with one another,” she explained. 

“Whenever we come to the end of a musical production there are a lot of emotions going around,'' continued Mrs. Bourque. “The students are always excited to finally be performing, but also sad that it is over. Students that might have only been acquaintances across different grade levels become cast members, and then by the end they are an amazing group of friends. Together they learn to communicate a story through spoken text, but also through song, facial expressions, body language and they do it as a team.” 

Additional faculty support was provided by Associate Performing Arts Teacher Brian Muller on piano and stagecraft; School Librarian Mary Ann Lansdale on costumes and stage management; Upper School Teacher and Advisor Elizabeth Carroll on rehearsals, costumes, sets, and backstage management during the shows; Director of Safety and Security Josh Ziac on the sound board; Visual Arts Teacher Karen Wappler on backstage management and scenery; and Visual Arts Teacher Chris Lawler on sets. Additional musicians included Dimitri Moderbacher (bass) and Jason Holmes (drums) and the light board was operated by Brenna Pérez.

Henry Irwin ’25 as Jack Kelly

Michaela Springer ’24 as Katherine Plummer 

Daley Keogh ’23 as Crutchie

Jack Busby ’24 as Davey

Ella Agulay ’25 as Les

Opal Thompson ’24 as Medda Larkin

Lillian Back ’23 as Joseph Pulitzer and Buttons

Katharine Tocks ’24 as Wiesel and Hannah

Jack Beauclair ’24 as Spot Collin and a newsie

Katya Bank ‘24 as Ada and a newsie

Kat Palmer ’24 as Darcy, Jo Jo, and member of the Bowery Brigade

Elsa Ward ’25 as Pat, Dorothy, and Romeo

Aubry Grant ’24 as Albert and Bill 

Lily Arneill ’24 as Seitz, Tommy Boy, and a member of the Bowery Brigade

Thanos Ghoussias ’25 as Race and Snyder 

Harry Jelinek ’23 as Morris and Theodore Roosevelt

Marcus Ortiz ’24 as Oscar and Police Officer

Consuela Bowman ’23 as Ethel and Pigtails

Caroline Irwin ’25 as Murial and Olive

Dasha Bank ’24 as Specs and Nancy