Newsies, Jr. Cast

Brendan is in 8th grade at Challenge to Excellence. You can see him in Newsies as Jack Kelly. This is his final show at Challenge to Excellence, and he hopes everyone in the audience enjoys the show! When he isn't on stage, Brendan likes to read, draw, and more! Brendan would like to thank everyone for showing their support for the arts!

Aditi Gupta is currently in 7th grade at Challenge to Excellence Charter School. This year, she is playing Katherine Plumber in Newsies, Jr. In the past years, she played Dot in Honk, Jr. when she was a 6th grader and Moonfish 6 in Finding Nemo, Jr. when she was a 5th grader. When Aditi is not lighting the stage up, she loves to play with her dog and be around her family and friends. She also loves to dance and sing. Aditi is really grateful that she was able to be part of this production. She would also love to thank the show's director, Ms. Scheyer and the other teachers that helped out, her cast and the tech crew, her family, and her friends. She really hopes that everyone enjoys the show as much as she did.

Dana is in 5th grade at C2E. You can see her in Newsies Jr. in the role of Darcy and Seitz. This is her 4th year participating in different productions. Her previous roles included Zazu in the Lion King. Dana would like to thank her Mum, Dad, Sisters and Grandparents for all of their support.

Adam is in 6th Grade from Mr. Doell’s class. It will be his first ever theater performance playing the role of Race at the Newsies Jr. musical. Adam loved to sing even before he could talk. His favorite artists changes from time to time, but at the moment he loves belting out Bruno Mars’ songs. Every car ride with Adam is a carpool karaoke experience. Newsies is the fist ever musical that he watched at the Candlelight Theater but he started getting interested in stage performance after watching Hamilton and has been hooked ever since. He has seen a number of musicals at the Buell Theater but he was particularly blown away by the productions on Back to the Future: The Musical and Lion King. Adam has always been a performer and hopes to give great excitement to his audience every time.

"Arnav Dubey is in 7th grade at Challenge to Excellence in Miss Deis’ homeroom class. You can see him in Newsies Jr.! This is Arnav’s first year participating in C2E’s Drama program, and he is excited to be part of the show and experience the fun of performing on stage for the very first time. Arnav loves playing soccer and spending time with his friends and family. He is enjoying this new journey in drama and all the memories that come with it. Arnav would like to thank his family, teachers, and friends for all of their love and support!"

Annika Fox is a 7th Grader at Challenge to Excellence. This is her third year in C2E's musicals. She started acting in 5th Grade, when she was Gurgle in Finding Nemo Jr., and last year, she was Ugly in Honk! Jr. You can see her participating in Newsies Jr. as Hazel, a newsgirl. In Annika's free time, she loves to read fantasy books, play games with her family and friends, or cuddle with her cat, Belle. She is auditioning for another role outside of school, and would like to express her gratitude for her parents, Jennifer and Robert, as well as her siblings Danielle, Matthew, Liesl, Jarrett, and William, and her friends Lucas, Aanya, and so many others!

Mehreen Kaur is in 5th Grade at Challenge to Excellence.This is her 1st year participating in C2Es Drama program.She loves reading and drawing .She would like to thank Ms.Scheyer and her parents for all their support.

Sofia is a 4th grade student at C2E School and is delighted to be part of Newsies Jr. This marks her first time participating in a school musical, and she was absolutely thrilled to be cast in the production. Sofia has been drawn to the stage since the age of 4, performing in ballet recitals, rhythmic gymnastics showcases, tap and jazz dance performances, and piano recitals. Her love of performing continues to grow, and she is excited to bring her energy and enthusiasm to this new experience. When she’s not performing, Sofia enjoys art and crafts, traveling, skiing, and biking. She has a special love for horses and dogs, and she cherishes spending time with her family and friends. Sofia is grateful for the opportunity to be part of Newsies Jr. and hopes you enjoy the show!

Libby is a 4th grader at Challenge to Excellence. She is bright and cheerful, full of energy and always smiling from ear to ear. This is her first time on stage, but you’d never guess, she shines with confidence and gives it her best!. Libby loves being part of the show and having fun along the way. When she’s not performing, she enjoys staying active and spending time with friends each day. She is so excited to be part of this show and can’t wait to put on a great display!

Annalise Diodosio is a 4th grader at Challenge to Excellence. You can see her in Newsies in the role of Oscar Delancey! This is Annalise’s fifth year participating in musicals and she absolutely loves it and aspires to have a leading role one day. When she’s not on stage, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, chatting it up, and singing along to music she enjoys. Some of her favorite shows are the Moana movies and Annie, which all have amazing musical numbers. She thanks Ms. Scheyer for working so hard and making the musicals awesome and thanks her family and friends for their support and attendance.

Lucas Jensen is a 7th grader playing the role of Davey in Newsies jr. This year will be his second show, and he is so exited to have such a big role this year. He played Barnacles in the 2025 musical, HONK! jr. when he was in 6th grade. He enjoys playing the viola, roller coasters(specifically at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio), art, and exploring the world. He is extremely grateful to Adam Cruz, Matthew Fox, and especially Annika Fox for their help and support.

Julian is in 6th grade at Challenge to Excellence, and this is his 3rd year in C2E’s Drama program, where he previously participated in Finding Nemo and Hunk, Jr. productions. Julian’s sense of human and desire to make everyone around him laugh is unmatched! While his passion for performing is huge, he also greatly enjoys flag football, reading, and a little gaming. Julian would like to thank his family for always supporting him!

Shaina is in 4th grade at C2E. This is the second year participating in a play. She likes to paint and do arts and crafts.

Mridula is a 5th-grade student who has been part of her school’s spring musical productions since 1st grade. In this year’s performance of Newsies, she is excited to bring the roles of Dorothy and Hannah to life on stage. Outside of theater, Mridula is passionate about learning classical Carnatic music and enjoys expressing herself through it. She is also a chess enthusiast and actively practices martial arts, including Taekwondo. In addition, she serves as a student council member at her school, where she enjoys contributing and taking on leadership responsibilities. Mridula is grateful for the support of her family, teachers, and directors, and is thrilled to be part of this year’s production.

Matthew is in 6th grade.This is his 2nd year of drama and in honk jr he was the turkey. He is obsessed with a book series called Warriors which is about cats.

McKenna is in 4th grade. McKenna you can see her in Newsies .jr as miss Medda Larkin.This is McKenna’s thrid year participating in the C2E drama club.

Aiza Chaudhry is in 3rd grade at Challenge to Excellence. You can see her in Newsies Jr, in the role of Olive. This is her very first time on a theatrical stage though she performs in music concerts annually playing the piano as well. When she isn't on stage Aiza likes to spend time with her family and loves to play with her two sisters. Aiza is middle child so when she wants to play with someone older she has her older sister for that and when she wants to relive her younger years she lives vicariously through her little sister! She loves gymnastics and trying new things as well! Aiza is an adventurous risk taker and while her parents hold their breath she is conquering the world one experience at a time!

Ishitha Srinath is a 3rd grader at Challenge to Excellence and is excited to be part of this year’s production! She previously appeared in *Honk! Jr.*, where she had a wonderful time on stage. Outside of theater, Ishitha loves swimming and expressing her creativity through drawing, painting, and crafts. She also enjoys performing Bollywood dance and practicing gymnastics. In her free time, Ishitha loves playing with her dog, Donut. Ishitha is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the drama program and thanks her family and friends for their support. She would also like to thank Miss Scheyer for this wonderful opportunity!

Cannon is in 3rd grade at C2E. You will see him in the role of Governor Roosevelt and as a Newsie in Newsies Jr. This is his second year in the C2E musical production, as last year he was part of the Ensemble in Honk, Jr.

Julianna Assante is extremely proud to be joining the Newsie cast and participate in C2E’s drama program. This will be Julianna’s debut performance, and she is very excited to showcase her dancing and singing skills. Outside of her passions for singing and dancing Julianna loves to play with her cats and is an avid artist always drawing and sketching her creative ideas.