This fall, DeWitt High School students took the stage in their production of Disney’s Newsies.
The cast and crew began rehearsing at the beginning of the school year in August. About 90 people came together to bring the production to life.
Stepping into the lead role of Jack Kelly is DHS junior Will Marciniak. “It has been really challenging, it’s a hard role but I’m having a lot of fun with it,” said Marciniak. Playing Jack has brought Marciniak new friendships and helped develop chemistry with his castmates.
Senior Lauren Handspike plays Katherine Plumber and has been preparing for the demanding role. “It was a lot more work over the summer working through my range and to be able to hit the high notes Katherine hits,” said Handspike. “It’s been very rewarding to step into this role and work super hard at it and now have a product that is amazing.”
Newsies follows the real- life story of the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. Handspike and Marciniak expressed the importance of the show and lessons they have learned as they put themselves into the shoes of those who lived through this time. This includes speaking out and pushing for what you believe in.
Directing her ninth musical at DeWitt High School, Meghan Eldred-Woolsey could not pass up the opportunity to put on a production of Newsies. “I just kept coming back to it,” said Eldred-Woolsey. “I thought it could fit our space and what we do here really well.”
Eldred-Woosley expressed how she loves to see her students blossom. “It’s exciting to see these kids elevate and become the characters and go above and beyond,” she said.
Performances were Oct. 27 – 30.