The Grand Theatre High School Project
DISNEY'S

Newsies
The Musical

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
September 17 to September 27, 2025
Opening Night: Friday, September 19
Spriet Stage

Title Sponsor

Youth Program Sponsors

a leaping dancer silhouette in blue over a backdrop of red and blue stylized skyscrapers

Upcoming Shows & Tickets

Jack leads a group of young newsies in a strike that makes the history books - and the headlines. Built and performed by the Grand Theatre High School Project students! 

Tickets on sale Spring 2025.

Step into turn-of-the-century New York City, a time of skyscrapers and money makers, with Disney’s Newsies: the story of charismatic Jack Kelly and his gritty band of newsies who keep the stories moving, selling papers throughout the town.

But when greedy publishing giants decide to raise distribution prices at the newsies’ expense, it’s up to Jack and his pals to be stronger together and fight for what’s right!

Famed for its imaginative and iconic dance sequences, this vibrant musical spectacular is based in the 1992 Disney motion picture, inspired by a true story, and features a Tony-Award winning score that includes songs such as “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York.”

Now accepting applications for the 2025 Grand Theatre High School Project! To learn more about the High School Project, or to apply to participate in this year's program, click here. 

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE High School Project

Creative Team

RAY HOGG
RAY HOGG
Director
Ray Hogg is an award winning Black theatre artist who creates virtuosic, visually stunning, viscerally moving theatre and live performance. He has 30 years of artistic, educational and leadership experience in the most celebrated opera, dance, and theatre companies around the world. His work as a theatre artist, director, and choreographer has taken him across Europe, The United States, and Canada. He has created for stages as diverse as Neptune Theatre in the east, The Arts Club Theatre Company in the west and many others in between. From 2012-2017 Ray served as Artistic Director of Rainbow Stage and from 2021-2025 as the Artistic Director of The Musical Stage Company. He is an Associate Artist at Neptune Theatre, and the founding Artistic Director of Prime Mover Theatre Company.

Directing credits include: A Strange Loop (Soulpepper/Crow’s/Musical Stage Company), Controlled Damage (The Grand Theatre London), Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Theatre Calgary), Dixon Road, Starwalker ( Musical Stage Company), Da Kink In My Hair (Arts Club Theatre); Cats, The Producers, Sister Act, Shrek, Little Shop of Horrors (Rainbow Stage); Five Guys Named Moe, Dreamgirls (Neptune Theatre), Love and Information, An Enemy of the People, Damn Yankees, Mary Poppins, and Chicago (Theatre Sheridan). His award-winning choreography has been seen at Crow’s Theatre (Natasha Pierre…Great Comet of 1812), the Shaw Festival (Come Back Little Sheba), the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (South Pacific), Neptune Theatre (Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot), the Segal Centre (Indecent), and more.

@rayhogg2021 | @primemovertheatreco | www.rayhogg.com | www.primemovertheatre.com
Krista Leis
Krista Leis
Choreographer
For the Grand Theatre: Pride and Prejudice.

Selected Theatre Credits: In Studio: The Words and Music of Britta Johnson (Choreographer, Theatre Sheridan), Snow White: The Panto (Choreographer, The Capitol Theatre), La Cage Aux Folles (Associate Choreographer, The Stratford Festival), Man of La Mancha (Assistant Choreographer, The Stratford Festival), West Side Story (Assistant Choreographer, The Stratford Festival), In The Heights (Associate Director and Choreographer, Theatre Sheridan), Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway), 10 seasons as a performer with The Stratford Festival.

Film and TV Credits: Roxana (Bravo), The Music Man (Disney), Romeo and Juliet (Stratfest at Home)

Other: Krista is also the proud owner of The Movement Centre Pilates and Rehabilitation Studio in Stratford ON.