Newsies

Performed November 2021

Trailer

Making of Musical Documentary

Poster

Design by Archie Ream

A Note from the Director:

Throughout the past two years of uncertainty, cancellations, disappointments and disheartening decisions, the one thing that has remained clear is that we only succeed when we stand together. When deciding on the annual musical to perform this year, I was drawn to one of my childhood favorites because it encompassed exactly the attitude I was hoping to spread to our students- A story of adversity met with hope and comradery as opposed to apathy or devastation. A tale that teaches us that nothing is impossible if we stand together and unite our voices in an outcry for what we believe is right. Newsies is the story we needed, not only to show how important it is to come together as a community to support one another in this tough year, but for our students to embody and perform the comradery and triumph these newsboys stand for amidst another year where students are feeling powerless as Covid continues to change their routines. The greatest experience of directing this production has been watching these talented teenagers become empowered by a true story of children risking everything to take on the king makers of New York City, and seeing how our students are putting that new-found confidence to work in their day to day life. I’m so proud of how hard our students have worked to bring you this production and how much they have learned about themselves and the power of their united voice through the process. I hope audiences are equally inspired by our student’s depiction of the story and the message at its heart:

“Wrong’s will be righted
If we’re united
Let us seize the day!”

I am so excited to be taking over the honor of directing the annual musical here at Jefferson High School and hope that the community enjoys this performance as much as our students and production team have enjoyed creating it. Thank you for supporting theatre here at Jeff! We hope to see you at many more!

Benji Braswell
Theatre Arts Teacher