Purple Door Youth Theater
An educational program of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater
Purple Door Youth Theater provides ensemble based learning and performance. Led by our staff of theater artists, students receive training and hands-on experiences to produce a quality theatrical production. In addition to mounting the show, PDYT emphasizes building character off stage with skills like collaboration, critical thinking and citizenship.
El Teatro Juvenil de la Puerta Púrpura proporciona aprendizaje y actuación basados en conjuntos. Dirigidos por nuestro personal de artistas de teatro, los estudiantes reciben capacitación y experiencias prácticas para producir una producción teatral de calidad. Además de montar el espectáculo, PDYT enfatiza la construcción del carácter fuera del escenario con habilidades como la colaboración, el pensamiento crítico y la ciudadanía.
PERFORMANCES – THIS PRODUCTION IS SOLD OUT!
ARTISTIC TEAM:
Director: Rachel Haider, Music Director: Liz Shepley, Choreographer: Jana Hirsch
Technical Director: Joe Udelhofen, Costumer: Kate Stuart
Disney’s Newsies JR.
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein
Junior Script Adaptation by David Simpatico, Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
Newsies, Jr. Cast
Jack – Isaac Udelhofen
Katherine Plumber – Kyra Reverman
Crutchie – Avari Parker
Davey – Wyatt Norrie
Les – Alessandra Davis
Joseph Pulitzer – Henry Keane
Medda Larkin – Fletcher Churchill
Wiesel – Braiden Dietz
Oscar Delancy/Bowery Brigade Performer – Hannah Holleran
Morris Delancy/Working Child – Silas Leer
Police Chief/ Teddy Roosevelt – Theo Rustad
Spot Conlon – Max Mazzariello
Race – Carson Bechtel
Muriel – Hazel Shuffelton
Specs – Julien Ros
Albert – Cameron McMillan
Hazel – Addie Perkins
Pigtails – Thisbe Jothen
Romeo – Jack Wolf
Buttons/Brooklyn Newsie – Eleanor Groll
JoJo/Brooklyn Newsie – Luisa Thompson
Nancy/Brooklyn Newsie – Grace Churchill
Tommy Boy/Brooklyn Newsie – Ian Schleif
Boots/“Scab” #2 – Violet Froehle
Snyder/“Scab” #1/Working Child – Aubin Carroll
Bunsen/Pat – Isaac Hunter
Seitz/Police Officer – Ben Udelhofen
Hannah/Newspaper Customer –Ryelynn Dietz
Ada/Woman – Evie Bauer
Olive/Dorothy – Erica Jorgensen
Bowery Brigade Performer/Darcy – Greta Christopherson
Ethel/Newspaper Customer – Elizabeth Tracy
Bill Hearst/Police Officer/“Scab” #3 – Shea Engel
Newsies, Jr. Dedicated Technicians
Quinn Fintel
Aya Haidar
Anna Hansen
Nika Hirsch
Sophia Hohman
Willow Jo
Jessa Jorgensen
Matteus Jothen
Autumn Mastin
William Stelter
Nathan Wolff
SYNOPSIS OF THE SHOW:
Disney’s Newsies JR. is a slightly shorter version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies Jr. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.
Read more about the show here
ABOUT PURPLE DOOR YOUTH THEATER
Purple Door Youth Theater is an immersive educational theater experience. Elementary, middle and high school students are involved with every aspect of producing a show like performing, designing, building, marketing and ushering in a safe and supportive environment.
Project Purple Door is an extension of PDYT and focuses on ensemble-based storytelling, building productions through imaginative theatricality and minimal stagecraft.
Who works with the students? Founder and Director Rachel Haider manages PDYT and teaches acting, character, and production skills. Kate Stuart is our costumer/educator. Dependent on the show, other prime teaching artists join our production team.
TUITION
PDYT is a tuition and audition/interview based educational theater program. Registration is available to those in the cast or crew following auditions/tech interviews. Scholarships may be available.
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
“(Our daughter) learned so much and had a blast!!!”
“Thanks for a great experience and a hilarious show!”
“(My daughter) had an absolutely fabulous time, and it’s been great to see her so happy and learning so much!”
“The Purple Door Theater is a real treasure.”
“As a parent, I was beyond impressed and look forward to future experiences.”
“My daughter learned so much and made great friends! It is a safe and nurturing environment for her to take risks and try new things!”
“Seeing the friendships and cooperative spirit among the cast and crew was so inspiring!”
“The tour was a neat experience for the kids. The close friendships made/relationships built were a highlight. Wearing such elaborate costumes was fun. Leading audience members in activities after the shows gave the kids another chance to show their confidence.”
“For my child, performing in the theater was a big highlight as were costumes. She also enjoyed making new friends. For me, I was thrilled to see her confidence increase and for her to have the opportunity to perform in multiple settings for a range of audiences.”
“The children came together as a ‘family’. They learned from each other and had a great time making new friends, having fun, learning new things.”
“I volunteered several days “wrangling” the kids, and they listened well and knew what was expected of them.”
“These kids are so fortunate to have this opportunity! You do wonderful things! These kids lives are molded by your belief in their abilities and gifts.”
“Thank you so much for providing such exceptional opportunities for kids. Northfield is blessed by having the Arts Guild in our town. Our kids are so lucky to be able to learn and grow from your classes and the community you provide is supportive and fun! Excellent work!”
“Thank you so much for this program – it was a very positive experience for my child and for our family. I was SO proud on opening night!”
“I think the PDYT is a really great organization that fits in so well with Northfield and the arts that this town provides. It’s a bonus that children who are elementary age can participate and that they learn so much about theater as opposed to just performing in a play. We also really liked the fact that professionals were teaching the children. This just adds to the experience. PDYT is fantastic!”
QUESTIONS?
Contact PDYT Director Rachel Haider at rachel.purpledooryouththeater@gmail.com or Guild Performing Arts Manager Mishia Edwards at mishia@northfieldartsguild.org.
GENERAL TIPS for both ACTORS and TECHIES
The audition/interview process is fun and low-pressure. However, the decision-making process begins the moment you walk through the door.
Be prepared, be nice, (never smug) and enjoy the opportunity to show your stuff. It’s okay… everyone is nervous. Try to stay positive, have a good attitude and enjoy the experience.
Previous acting or technical experience is not required.
We expect all artists with PDYT productions to be committed to doing and behaving their best – on and off stage.
It’s important that we’re able to assess each student’s independent abilities. Unless a special circumstance or need demands a parent’s assistance, this is your young artist’s time to shine. Parents will be asked to stay in another area.
ACTOR AUDITION TIPS
Learn the song listed above. Memorize it and show us the appropriate emotion for the character. That face of yours is great for that. But keep it real. Crazy isn’t acting.
Move and sing simply, clearly and with confidence. Practice introducing yourself by name.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes in which you can freely move.
No need to use any props; just use your imagination.
Show us your best self, forget your nerves and have fun.
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN INTERVIEW TIPS
The interview won’t be scary; it’s more like a discussion. The tech director will chat with you about some of your strengths and about things you like to do. She might ask you about your ideas for things you imagine in the show. She might ask you why you want to be a technician. There’s not really anything to prepare in advance. Just relax and be yourself; that’s the best assessment as to if this will be a good fit.
Past Purple Door Youth Theater Productions
It’s a Wonderful Life – 2022
Peter Pan (an online Project Purple Door show) – 2021
The Importance of Being Earnest (an online Project Purple Door show) – 2021
The Prince and the Pauper (touring Project Purple Door show) – 2020
Matilda, the Musical – 2019
The Wizard of Oz – 2019
The King’s New Clothes (touring Project Purple Door show) – 2018
Les Misérables School Edition – 2018
A Christmas Carol – 2016
You Can’t Take It With You, a radio play (touring Project Purple Door show) – 2016
Robin Hood – 2016
Alice@Wonderland – 2015
The PDYT logo was designed by Louisa Lawler. Check out her work at https://society6.com/louisalawler.
More educational theater is available all year-round. Check out our ongoing Education Programming and summer Young People’s Theater Workshop.
2021 Purple Door Youth Theater sponsored by
