At the start of the school year, Playbill called on students to work together and create a service project that promoted positive change in their hometowns. Schools and community theatre programs across the country took action and participated in the Newsies "Seize the Day Challenge". Entry videos for the Challenge were submitted via Twitter and showcased topics that ranged from environmental cleanups, spreading acts of kindness, coat drives and creating various performance opportunities for community members.
Five finalists for the Newsies "Seize the Day Challenge" were chosen by a panel of adjudicators from Playbill, Disney Theatrical Group, and Music Theatre International and we now ask readers to vote on which project is their favorite! The organization receiving the most votes will win:
- Dramatic stage rights and standard rental package for Newsies via Music Theatre International (includes up to (6) performances of royalties); Rental package includes: 32 Libretto / Vocal books, (1) Piano-Conductor Score, Piano / (1) Vocal Score, and Standard Orchestration (11-instrumental books for musicians).
- Logo Pack, which includes logos in color and black & white, with multiple digital format files (JPG, TIFF, PNG and, in some cases, EPS) for marketing production.
- Video License granting non-commercial (home-use only) video recordings of production for archival use. Video Licenses also grant permission to create copies of recordings to distribute to participants in production.
- Printing of 1 production PLAYBILLder. Details include: 1,500 copies of a 24 page, full-color PLAYBILLder.
- 10 color posters (14” x 22”) via PLAYBILLder
- Official Newsies newsboy hats (set of 30)
- Potential Playbill.com video/editorial coverage
Voting openings Monday, February 5, 2018, and will close at 11:59 PM/ET on February 25, 2018. Readers may vote multiple times each day. After the official voting period has ended, the grand prize winner will be announced March 1, 2018, on Playbill.
The Newsies "Seize the Day Challenge" Finalists are:
Premier Arts (Elkhart, Indiana)
Members of Premiere Arts came together and brainstormed dozens of ways they could have a positive effect on their community. From paying it forward at the local café to shoveling snow for a neighbor, these inspiring students used small acts of kindness to create a big impact in their community!
Leavenworth High School (Leavenworth, Kansas)
Inspired by the transformational way that theatre reaches young people, students at Leavenworth High School created the “Tour of Hope” Puppet Project. Students built puppets and wrote original plays that toured to the Children’s Mercy Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City.
Inside Out Theatre (Weston, Florida)
Wanting to bring awareness of mental health issues to a wider audience and combat the stigma that surrounds the topic, students devised an evening of performances to spark a community dialogue. A panel of health care professionals was on hand to further speak to the community during a post-show forum.
Snyder High School (Snyder, Texas)
The students at Snyder High School created an annual #SeasonofGiving. To strengthen the arts presence in their community, students mounted a production of “The Outsiders” to raise money for a local community theatre. Students also organized a food drive with the local Kiwanis Club. In total, Snyder High School raised over $5,700 for their community and inspired others to join their cause!
Reservoir High School (Fulton, Maryland)
Members of the Music Honor Society held a food drive, collected musical instruments to give to underserved children, and partnered with The Other Bucket, a charity that supports families in Baltimore faced with poverty and cancer. Students held a gift drive, donating holiday gifts to families in need in their community.
