top of page
Disney Newsies
Music by ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics by JACK FELDMAN
Book by HARVEY FIERSTEIN
Based on the Disney Film Written by BOB TZUDIKER AND NONI WHITE
Originally Produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
Orchestrations by Danny Troob
Incidental Music & Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kosarin
Dance Arrangements by Mark Hummel
NEWSIES
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
It’s time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney’s Newsies! Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Featuring the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message—perfect for the whole family and every audience.
).png)
Wonderful Life Cast
Meet the Cast
Noah Alexander (Les)
Noah is excited to return to the Poiema stage for Newsies! His previous Poiema theater credits include It’s a Wonderful Life and Fiddler on the Roof! Noah thoroughly enjoys performing and is excited for you to enjoy the show!
Stephen Alexander (Jack Kelly)
Stephen is performing in his 3rd PoiemArtistry production! He attended University of the Nations, where he received a certificate in Audio Production. Stephen led music discipleship schools where he taught vocal performance, music theory and audio production. He enjoys vocal performance and won best vocal performance at Wakefield High School in 2007-2008. Stephen performed in Amahl’s and The Night Visitors at Meredith College in 2009. He is a full time Worship Pastor at Newpath Church in Raleigh.
Anthony Baker (Weisel)
Anthony is a passionate choreographer, playwright, and director who once led a dance team to 4th place internationally—because bronze just wasn't dramatic enough. He has produced plays by blending music, movement, and meaning with flair. A seasoned performer in music ministry and drama, Anthony has toured the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, boldly spreading faith one spotlight at a time. When not on stage, he builds/remodels homes as a general contractor, wrangles his four children, and adores his wife.
Zakurah Baker (Newsie)
Zakurah is making her Poiema Arts debut, has had a deep love for dance and performing from a young age. She began her journey in church dramas as a ballet dancer and angel, and at just five years old, she joined a dance company. Zakurah later progressed to the Company Dance Team, earning multiple Platinum and Diamond awards, including two 1st place finishes and a 1st Overall at Nationals. She also had the honor of performing a duet with a college student at Meredith College. Whether performing solo, in a group, or with her church team, Zakurah has always felt that God blessed her with a gift she is passionate about sharing. Most recently, she has expanded her talents into the world of Competitive Cheer.
Zoe Baker (Newsie)
Zoe has discovered her love for performing at the age of three when she starred as “The Star” in Psalty’s Christmas Calamity. Since then, she has brought characters like “Tinker Bell”, the “White Rabbit”, and “Frieda” to life on stage. With seven years of dance training, she is thrilled to be tapping her way through Newsies. Zoe also serves as a music leader on her youth praise team, where she is able to show her love for worship with others. She plans to pursue a career as a hair and makeup specialist, both in and beyond the theatre world.
Emmitt Bigham (JoJo)
Emmit is making his Poiema debut in Newsies! He has been doing theater for 7 years and has done a multitude of different plays and musicals. God has really helped Emmitt grow in his faith with musicals like Godspell, and has shown him different ways of praise to him. Emmitt hopes you enjoy the show!
Madelyn Bigham (Newsie)
Madelyn is currently a social work and psychology major at ECU! She was last seen on the Poiema stage as “Tzeitel/Grandma Tzeitel” in last summers’ Fiddler on the Roof. Other past credits include Bye Bye Birdie (Temple Theatre Company), Treasure Island (Apex Peak Players), Seussical the Musical (Temple Theatre Company), Oh, Kay (White Iris Light Opera), and Seussical the Musical (Apex Peak Players.) Maddie is also a Temple Teen Ensemble Alumni! She hopes you enjoy the show! To see more, check her professional Instagram out! @madelynsbigham
Jason Bonilla (Oscar Delancey)
Jason is appearing in his second performance with this incredible production team. He enjoys the versatility in different characters he gets to perform. Jason is a licensed massage therapist, and has a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant. He was in the performing arts in New York for dancing. Jason truly enjoys serving within his church and challenging himself within the arts.
Caleb Burnett (Henry)
Caleb is excited to make his debut with Poiema Arts. He has previously participated in various musical productions, including The Christmas Play, A DIY Christmas, and has been a dedicated member of the worship team at Bethel City Church for the past several years. With a passion for using his gifts to glorify God, Caleb is eager to continue developing his talent in theater and collaborate with other young artists. He thanks his parents, siblings, friends and the Poiema Arts team for giving him the opportunity to grow and learn under their exceptional leadership
Olive Coe (Newsie)
Olive is performing her fourth show with PoiemArtistry. She has most recently been in It’s A Wonderful Life with the part of “Ensemble”. She was also seen in Fiddler On The Roof (Ensemble) and White Christmas (Ensemble). Olive has also been in Junie B. Jones (Gladys Gutzman, Ensemble), High School Musical 2 (Sharpette, Ensemble), Annie (Star-To-Be, Maid, New Yorker, Ensemble), The Little Mermaid (Carlotta, Unfortunate Soul, Sea Chorus), Radium Girls (Clerk, Dancer), Something Rotten (Instrumentalist), and Peter Pan (Stage Manager) at various theaters. Olive has 10 years of dance experience in several genres including, ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. She has danced with several companies including Poiema Studio. Olive loves the arts as she also plays the flute, piccolo, and oboe and supports her local theater companies by going to see shows that are put on. In her free time, she enjoys babysitting, writing stories, running, baking, and taking pictures of the world around her. Olive is very thankful for Poiema and the Green family as they have helped her grow in tremendous ways and she can’t wait to see how much she and the company will grow!
Sabrina Dew (Medda Larkin)
Sabrina is excited to be a part of Poiema Arts production of Newsies. This is her second production with Poiema. Sabrina’s theater experience began at a young age with church productions and small roles. She has previously appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), High School Musical (Martha), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), and last summer’s Poiema production of Fiddler on the Roof (Golde). Sabrina has taught Theatre and Art on and off over the past six years. She currently teaches at a Christian Montessori school in Garner and serves as a Worship Leader at her church. Sabrina gives all glory to God and the path he set her on to become who she is. She would love to give a special thanks to all of her family and friends for their support over the years, but especially to her mom who has supported her in everything from day one.
Tiffany Dye (Newsie/Spot Conlon)
Tiffany is a high school junior born and raised in Raleigh. She has participated in several theater performances as an actress, singer, and dancer. Her past roles have included many ensemble roles in shows such as Suessical the Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, and White Christmas. Tiffany enjoys reading, writing, martial arts, and spending time with friends. She would like to thank her mom, grandma, and younger siblings, Reagan and Preston, for their encouragement.
Wayne Edmondson (Police Officer/Guard)
Wayne is making his PoiemArtistry debut. He has been part of several plays through different theatre companies in the area as well as various short films. As a kid, Wayne always wanted to be part of theater and film. He has enjoyed being in Newsies and is grateful to be a part of this exciting event.
Gideon Edwards (Mr. Pulitzer)
Gideon is making his Poiema debut in Newsies! He is the 5th son of 6 sons and grew up singing along to Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers among other musicals. When He got older, God developed Gideon’s passion for singing into skill. He now sings on the worship team at his church Cross Assembly.
Phil Gardner (Mr. Snyder)
Phil is making his Poiema debut, began acting on stage under director Michael Green back in 2011. He has since remained active in the performing arts by studying film acting under Kevin Patrick Murphy (Stranger Things, Manhunt). Outside of acting, Phil works as a software developer and spends his free time volunteering at Raleigh City Farm and taking pictures of his cats.
Tim Gardner (Governor Teddy Roosevelt)
Tim is in his fifteenth year as the scenic design and production management instructor at North Raleigh Christian Academy. He has worked with Mr. Green in designing and building too many shows to mention. From time to time, he has stepped in to play a cast role. These have included Titanic, Annie, West Side Story, and Fiddler on the Roof.
Chelsae Green (Newsie/Associate Director/Choreographer)
Chelsae is honored to be part of PoiemArtistry and Poiema Arts, Inc. She has a B.A. in Dance Studies from Meredith College. For seven years, she was the Dance Director and Choreographer at North Raleigh Christian Academy. Some of her favorite and most memorable shows to produce and choreograph have been Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Secret Garden, Mary Poppins, Titanic, and Fiddler on the Roof. Chelsae and her family owned and operated a performing arts studio for 13 years before opening Poiema Arts in 2019. She has instructed hundreds of students in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theater. Chelsae is an ABT® Certified Instructor and has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive, Pre- Primary through Level 7, and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She currently serves as a member of the Poiema Arts Board of Directors and Assistant Director/Choreographer for PoiemArtistry. Chelsae would like to thank the entire cast and crew for their dedication and making the Poiema vision a reality! Acts 20:24
Grace Green (Newsie)
Grace is excited to return to the stage in PoiemArtistry’s Newsies. Her previous credits include White Christmas 2022 & 2023 (Judy Haynes), Singin’ in the Rain (Kathy Selden), The Robe (Cornelia Gallio), Seussical the Musical (Gertrude McFuzz), Similitude:The Great Adventure Begins (Eva), and The Great Day, as a member of the Chorus and Dance Ensemble. Grace enjoys PoiemArtistry, as she has met like-minded creatives that encourage her to be the best she can be, and desire God to be glorified, above all else. She works as a freelance wedding/event videographer (Charisma Films).
Isaac Green (Davey)
Isaac has been around theater since he was 4 years old and has been active in theater since he was 11 years – acting, dancing, singing, and directing. Isaac is an accomplished tap dancer and enjoys all styles of dance. He has been a part of over 12+ musicals including Pirates of Penzance (Frederick), Godspell (Jesus), Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Bingley), West Side Story, The Nutcracker Ballet, White Christmas, Similitude: The Great Adventure Begins (Worldly Wiseman), Seussical the Musical (The Cat in the Hat), Titanic (Thomas Andrews), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), White Christmas 2022 & 2023 (Phil Davis), The Secret Garden (Dr. Neville Craven), and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown). He has also had extensive training in stage flight operation, design, and directing. Isaac is thankful for the opportunity to work and perform with the cast and crew of PoiemArtistry!
Lyndsae Green (Newsie/Associate Choreographer)
Lyndsae serves as a founding member and the Associate Dance Director and Choreographer for PoiemArtistry. Lyndsae has been involved in dance and theater since she was 13. She has appeared in many stage productions including White Christmas, The Wiz, The Great Day, Seussical the Musical, The Nutcracker Ballet, Titanic and Fiddler on the Roof. As an accomplished dancer, Lyndsae performs and instructs classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hiphop, and modern dance styles. She graduated from the Wake Technical Institute Culinary and Baking School in 2015 and works at local bakery, Edible Art. Lyndsae also owns her own baking and photography businesses which keep her very busy especially during wedding season. She is incredibly honored to work with Poiema and is eager to see how the Lord will use the company to impact His Kingdom!
Jacob Haidet (Romeo)
Jacob is excited to make his Poiema debut with in Newsies! He’s done theater before through his high school where he performed in five shows including Hairspray and Legally Blonde. He would like to thank his Mom and his two dogs for being his biggest supporters!
Amy Harvey (Hannah/Bowery Beauty)
Amy is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a long break for getting married to a wonderful man, building a career and raising two amazing children. She has appeared as an ensemble dancer in Peter Pan, Hello Dolly!, and Brigadoon. Amy would like to thank her whole family who have always been supportive of her creative and crazy endeavors, and especially MacKenna who she is proud to join on stage in Newsies.
MacKenna Harvey (Newsie)
MacKenna is making her PoiemArtistry debut and is thrilled to have been given the chance to be in one of her favorite musicals. MacKenna is a senior at Thales Academy Rolesville and has been involved in theatre for 7 years now. Some of her favorite productions include Newsies Jr. (Ensemble), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), and A Comedy of Errors (Adriana). MacKenna is so excited for you all to get to see this amazing show!
Micah Hay (Specs)
Micah is excited to hit the stage for his sixth production with PoiemArtistry! Some of his favorite roles include playing “Jack Thayer” in Titanic, “Percy” in The Miracle Worker, and “Potter’s Goon” in It's A Wonderful Life. Now, Micah is thrilled to play “Specs”.. Above all, Micah is grateful for the Christ-centered atmosphere at Poiema, where he can continue to sharpen his theater skills and glorify God in every production.
Rebekah Hay (Newsie)
Rebekah is performing in her 11th show with PoiemArtistry, and is grateful for the opportunity to join the cast of Newsies! She is a senior at NC State University studying Biochemistry, but loves the open door to creativity that Poiema provides her. Rebekah would like to thank the Green family for pouring into her, and her sisters for always believing in her.
bottom of page