NGU Theatre Presents ‘Newsies’ at Billingsley Theatre
Posted on: April 17, 2026
Tigerville, SC—‘Newsies’ is now showing in NGU’s Billingsley Theatre, with performances April 17-18 and April 23-25 beginning at 7:30 p.m. nightly.
With a strong emphasis on unity, the story follows a group of young newspaper sellers in 1899, New York fighting to survive on the margins. Led by Jack Kelly, a dreamer longing for a better life, the newsies rely on grit and solidarity, but when publisher Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at their expense, survival is no longer enough. The Newsies are forced to confront injustice.
What begins as frustration ignites into a movement. Jack rallies the young men and women of Manhattan and soon voices from Brooklyn and beyond join the fight. Their cry of ‘once and for all’ becomes a declaration of unity.
“Our theater family’s production is rooted in Isaiah 1:17: ‘Say no to wrong… Work for justice… Stand up for the defenseless.’ The newsies embody this call, proving that even the smallest voices, when united, can stand, speak, and reshape their world,” said Josh Scott, assistant professor of theatre at NGU and director of Newsies.
Scott said he is looking forward to seeing his cast and crew share their talents with audiences.
“What I’m most looking forward to is seeing how this cast has come together. We have students from all kinds of majors and backgrounds, some with extensive musical theatre experience, some trained dancers, and some who have never been in a show before, let alone something as large and layered as this production. It’s a beast in many ways, and yet we’re having a great time,” he said.
“There’s a genuine sense of unity that’s formed, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the process. I find myself looking forward to rehearsal every night,” Scott continued. “Even when we’re completely exhausted, there’s still a desire to come back and keep going. That kind of energy – that willingness to lean in together and be lions, not lambs – is really exciting to me.”
The cast of Newsies includes Paden Lipe (Jack Kelly), Chappie Livdahl (Crutchie), Alyse Barrett (Davey), Breccan Davis (Les), Keegan Davis (Romeo), Haddon Owens (Henry), Rebecca Panagiotacos (Race), Ryleigh Ann Guyton (Mush), Morgan Benson (Buttons), Owen Wilkerson (Finch), Zoey Krauss (Elm), Caden Sprinkles (Albert), Eliana Kelly (Jo Jo), Lilli Albert (Splasher), Natali Auton (Mickie), Emma Walton (Spot Conlon), Annie Call (Red), Naomi Elkins (Switchblade), Rayna LeRoux (Razor), Cara Neil (Spitfire), Eleanor Finn (Tricks), Dylan Thompson (Joseph Pulitzer), Anslee Johnson (Katherine Plumber-Pulitzer), Corrie Owen (Seitz), Sadie Beaurmont (Hannah), Andrew Eaton (Bunsen), Cara Neil (Nunzia), Briana Williams (Wiesel), David Vierow (Oscar Delancy), Grace Turner (Morgan Delancy), Rachel Forester (Medda Larkin), Kayden DeBruhl (Stage Manager), Aviya Baluch, Georgia Finn, Kara Sicko, Isabelle Western (Nuns/Bowry Girls), Annie Call (Scab #1), Naomi Elkins (Scab #2), Eleanor Finn (Scab #3), Rayna LeRoux (Mrs. Jacobi), Andrew Eaton (Darcy), Sadie Beaumont (Billie), Isabelle Western (Mayor of New York), Maddux Schmidt (Governor Teddy Roosevelt), Malachi Gibson (Snyder the Warden), Kara Sicko, Georgia Finn, Zoe Faulkner (Police), Corrie Owen (Goon), Aviya Baluch (Katherine’s Photographer), Annie Call (Woman Buying Newspaper), Maddux Schmidt (Man Buying Newspaper), Aviya Baluch, Zoe Faulkner (Kid at Refuge).
The crew includes Joshua Scott (artistic director), Angela Barrett (music director), Bess Park (choreographer), Grace Salter (stage manager), Kayden DeBruhl and Maddux Schmidt (assistant stage managers), David Vierow (technical director), Daniel Johnson (assistant tech director), Kennedy Roberts (costume designer), Corrie Owen and Rebecca Smart (costume assistants), Bess Park (set designer), Zach Daab (lighting designer), Hammond Hodges (light board op), Grace Turner (props), Corrie Owen and Ryleigh Ann Guyton (assistant hair/makeup), Michelle Higginbotham (master electrician), Eliana Kelly, Anslee Johnson, Natalie Auton (dance captains), TJ Hills (sound board op), Daniel Johnson (sound assistant), Makayla Panagiotacos and Meg Ross (spotlight operators), Adelyn McPeters and Kara Sicko (scenic charge), Bella Kuckel, Corrie Owen, Malachi Gibson, Bethany Greene, Emma Dillard, Zoe Faulkner, Erin Mole, Maggie Burrell, Chapel Leroy (wardrobe), Morgan Madden Payton Anderson, Darcie Hepner (lighting grid assistants), Grace Turner and Anna Faith Major (front of house), and Aviya Baluch (marketing/photos).
