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Jared Torgeson

Musical Theatre Advanced Acting

April 15, 2019

Jamie New, A Drag Queen Dream Role

The hit musical about a young sixteen-year-old boy named Jamie, from the musical

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has had great success in the West End in London, UK, running

at two hours and forty minutes. It is being recognized as an award-winning five-star hit musical

for today (The Guardian, Jamie Review). The musical, set in a council estate in Sheffield, where

Jamie New, a young boy who is terrified about the future and knows he does not quite fit in, but

knows he will one day be a sensation. With a book and lyrics written by Tom MacRae and music

by Dan Gillespie Sells, this musical brings to life the world of sexuality and drag in a whirlwind

of discovery, acceptance, and self-expression.

The start-up of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has an interesting story. The musical

itself, is based on real events. The story was inspired by a boy named Jamie Campbell in the

village of Toronto, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham in England. There was a BBC3

documentary made about his life in 2011, called Jamie: Drag Queen At 16. Jamie Campbell was

the one who wanted to tell his story, and his mother Margaret was there to support him.

Campbell worked with Firecracker Films in order to make this dream a reality (and

documentary) that would be remembered forever (The Sun, Who is Jamie Campbell?). This story

inspired Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacCrae. For many years they had wanted to collaborate

to make a musical, and after meeting Johnathan Butterell, a West End theatre director, the

musical was slowly coming to life. The three of them worked so intensely on this musical that at
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one point they had all lived together (The Arts Desk). Early in the production process when the

show was being cast, Jamie Campbell did not originally know about the production (The Stage).

Additionally, the role of Jamie New is only an inspiration from Jamie Campbell, and the story is

not completely the same at the documentary (The Stage). The musical had its world premiere in

2017 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with Butterell, Sells, and MacRae leading the charge

and in less than a year, in October 17th, 2017, the musical moved to the Apollo Theatre on the

West End in London (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, About the Show).

The production from off-West End, to on West End kept the same creative team and cast.

It was directed by Johnathan Butterell, choreographed by Kate Prince, set and costume design by

Anna Fleischle, and musical supervision by Theo Jamieson. The original cast was composed of

John McCrea, Josie Walker, Daniel Davids, Mina Anwar, Luke Baker, Courtney Bowman,

Tasmin Carroll, James Gillan, Harriet Payne, Lucie Shorthouse, and Kirstie Skivington

(Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Cast and Creatives. Throughout the run of the musical, it

has won three WhatsOnStage awards in Februrary 2018, including an award for “Best New

Musical” and “Best Original Cast Recording”. It has several nominations for the Laurence

Olivier Awards as well (Wikipedia).

Moving on to the story of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the information gathered

was from YouTube videos as well as from Wikipedia descriptions of the production. The show

opens to a rambunctious year eleven class and a careers teacher whose name is Miss Hedge. She

asks the students what they want to be when get older. Jamie New, responds with a shocking

answer. Despite the consistent harassment he experiences every single day at his school because

of his sexuality, Jamie says to the audience that all he wants to be is a drag queen. This aside

turns into a song (“And You Don’t Even Know It”) and when pulled back into reality, Jamie
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responds that he simply wants to be a performer. Miss Hedge responds that it is time for him to

get real. Later, in the house of Jamie and his mother Margaret, she is with Ray preparing for his

sixteenth birthday. When Jamie comes inside, his mother greets him with a card from his father.

On the card is a picture of a race car, symbolizing that his father does not truly understand Jamie

and his interests. Then, Margaret gives her gift to Jamie, a pair of bold, red high heels. Despite

the excitement for this gift, Jamie is nervous to wear them into the garden to celebrate his

birthday with all of the guests. He reflects on these feelings of uncertainty in the song “Wall In

My Head”. This song shows a back and forth between his confidence in what he wants to be and

the uphill battle he is fighting in order to face and conquer his fears of acceptance.

At school the next day, Jamie reveals his brand-new red heels to his best friend, Pritti.

The exciting moment soon takes a turn as Dean, the school bully, interrupts. He taunts Pritti for

being Muslim and Jamie for being gay. Jamie jabs back making a comment about Dean and his

small penis, which in turn, makes Dean feel embarrassed. Pritti and Jamie discuss prom, and she

strongly encourages Jamie to go to prom in a dress. After a number (“Spotlight”) all about

boosting the ego of Jamie, he parades around the classroom in the heels. Jamie then decides he

must find a dress to wear for prom. Conveniently, there is a local drag queen attire shop, Victor’s

Secret. Hugo, the owner, and Jamie connect. Hugo teaches Jamie some important facts to know

about drag, most importantly, letting the dress pick you and finding the perfect name. Hugo tells

the story of his past as a drag queen. Hugo sings “The Legend of Loco Chanelle” to share with

Jamie of how he became a drag queen. After this moment, Hugo helps Jamie book his first drag

show at a local night club and helps him find the perfect dress to wear for the event.

While all of this is going on, Margaret meets up with the father of Jamie and finally tells

him she has been lying to Jamie about the communication of his father. Specifically, she shares
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that she has forged a letter to Jamie for every birthday as his father. Jamie’s father says he wants

nothing to do with Jamie and makes the claim that Jamie is “not a real boy”. Because of this,

Margaret ponders what her life would be like if she never met the father of Jamie (“If I Met

Myself Again”). The next day at school, Jamie pulls Pritti into a bathroom stall so she can help

him with his make-up. Miss Hedge finds them and Pritti makes an excuse saying it is for an art

project. Miss Hedge responds that Jamie should be proud of being an art project and shows him

off throughout the halls. At first embarrassed, but then proud, Jamie breaks into song singing

“Work of Art” and announces he will be part of a drag show at the local nightclub, Legs Eleven

that very night. At the venue, Jamie bumps into Dean who calls him a minger and inside,

Margaret and Ray are meeting all the performers, including Hugo. Jamie runs in saying he

cannot perform tonight but finds in his dressing room a flower delivery and dress with a card

from his ‘father’. The performers encourage Jamie to find his drag self, whom he calls ‘Mimi

Me’. They push him onstage and burst into a group number (“Over the Top”), closing the act.

Act two begins at the next day of school where the song “Everybody’s Talking About

Jamie” gives meaning to the whole musical. Jamie is wearing his make-up, Miss Hedge tells him

to ‘get real’ again, Dean taunts him, but this time Jamie kisses him in retaliation, confusing

Dean. At home, Jamie shows Margaret and Ray his new prom dress, which has lights and is

much shorter. Margaret worries that it might be too much but through “Limited Edition Prom

Night Special” is convinced to let Jamie be himself. Suddenly however, a phone call requests

their presence at school. At school, Miss Hedge explains she has heard rumors and is blunt about

not allowing Jamie to attend prom in drag. Late that night, Jamie laments to Pritti about not

being able to attend prom in drag, but Pritti simply tells him to go in a dress, not in drag. Jamie,

however, is convinced without Mimi Me, he is ugly. Pritti sings “It Means Beautiful” to reassure
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Jamie that he is far from ugly. Jamie shares his past with his father and that when he was eight,

he put on a dress and his father found him and was very upset. Jamie is very confused as to why

his father would pay for the dress and be supportive of his drag queen dreams. Pritti suggests

Jamie talk to his father.

At his father’s house, Jamie finds out his dad knew nothing about his drag queen persona

and calls Jamie disgusting. Jamie then figures out that it was his mother doing all of this in place

of his father. Again, feeling ugly and lost, he laments with the song “Ugly in this Ugly World”.

Jamie runs home and argues with Margaret about why she lied. He screams at her and leaves the

room, leaving Margaret alone to sing about her unconditional love for Jamie (“He’s My Boy”).

Jamie, drunk on the streets, is approached by three local boys and beaten as they shout

homophobic remarks. Hugo defends Jamie and tells him to go home and apologize to his mother.

The two apologize and forgive each other and the scene moves quickly to prom. All are excited,

Pritti is in make-up and a dress, and the only person to bully her is Dean. Pritti stands up to Dean

and then walks in Jamie in a white prom dress. Miss Hedge tries to stop him from attending but

the other attendees chant his name and she finally grants him admission. All go in, but Jamie

calls Dean over to ask him to be nice for one night, and Dean agrees. They walk in hand-in-hand,

ending the musical with a feel-good number, “Out Of The Darkness (A Place Where We

Belong)”.

Jamie New is a complex character. Growing up with a single parent, with an

unsupportive father is incredibly taxing on a person’s self-image. He has the desire to be a star in

the world and wants to do so through the art of drag. He has the drive and the means to make

those dreams come true, even though people in his life try to continually bring him down and

discourage him. Jamie understands he is not an ordinary boy, but rather “a boy that sometimes
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wants to be a girl”, as he states multiple times in the musical. Though his concerns with feeling

accepted and beautiful are real and affect him constantly, he works his hardest to win that battle

and is surrounded by supportive people that want to help him reach his dreams as well. Jamie has

never been one to have a desire to fit in, and he finally found a way to show himself off to the

world through drag. His passion for heels, sculpted eyebrows, and dresses make him a brave

human, especially living in a city in which drag is a concept that is beyond abnormal for many

people.

Jamie is the embodiment of young people in the LGBTQIA+ community, or those who

do not confine with gender norms, or even those considered outsiders and freaks of the world. He

does not put himself in a box and does not let the world tell him how he should act, dress, and be.

The role of Jamie New allows for those of recent generations with the desire to perform to feel as

though there is a space for them. This role inspires a feeling of boldness, acceptance, and

opportunity to shine and be the person they want to be. Though the musical is relatively new, it,

as well as the character of Jamie New has become a role model and allows for a safe space for

those who do not feel welcome in our global community.

In order to truly understand the character of Jamie New, the songs chosen must be able to

accurately represent the fiery personality, sexuality, and dynamic presence of the character,

while simultaneously giving depth to the character through songs about acceptance, family, and

self-love. Jamie is a character that is always ready to make a statement, rock the boat, and be

sassy, but also has a softer side that is quite vulnerable. That being said, there are five songs that

fit into an audition package that very honestly and openly depict this character. These songs are

“Role of a Lifetime” from Bare: A Pop Opera, “Left Behind” from Spring Awakening, “Sexy”
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from Mean Girls: The Musical, “Step One” from Kinky Boots, and “I Am What I Am” from La

Cage aux Folles.

The first song, “Role of a Lifetime” is a song sung by Peter in Bare: A Pop Opera. The

context of this song in the musical is when Peter is reflecting on his relationship with Jason.

Their relationship is a secretive one, because of the religious boarding school they attend.

Though there is no direct correlation with the relationship aspect of the musical, there is a

correlation with the expectations that people, and more specifically men are supposed to play in

life. Jamie struggles every day with being bullied for being gay and experiences even more

adversity after telling the world he is a drag queen. He must do all of this “all played out behind

a smiling face” as written in the lyrics of the song.

This relates to the moment when Jamie sings “Wall In My Head” because he struggles

with the expectations of what he is supposed to be, but similarly to Peter just wanting to be able

to be public about his relationship with Jason, Jamie New wants to be public with his desire to be

a drag queen. However, because that is very against traditional social norms and roles played by

male-identifying persons, it makes it quite hard to make the decision and not be scared of the

potential repercussions. In “Wall In My Head” Jamie reflects, singing ‘those words are the walls

that still keep me in’ referencing to the walls society has put around him, trying to force him into

a box of normalcy. These two characters are sick of being stuck in silence when it comes to

important things in their life and want to be their most authentic selves.

“Left Behind” is another ballad from Spring Awakening, sung by the character Melchior

about the death of his close friend Moritz. This song is a lament about the factors and people that

led to the suicide of Moritz. Specifically, the lyrics “And all of the crying you wouldn’t

understand. You just let him cry, make a man out of him”. These words relate to the relationships
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of Jamie and his father. In the musical, his father does not believe Jamie is a ‘real boy’ and finds

him disgusting. Jamie is very distraught by this negative reaction from his father and feels

betrayed by his mother for not simply telling him the truth. Jamie shares these feelings in “Ugly

In This Ugly World”. He says ‘Because ugly is the only thing that’s true now’ about himself

because his father has invalidated him and made him feel so small, simply because he is not that

man, he wanted Jamie to be. Melchior sings in pain for the expectations Moritz was supposed to

fulfill but felt overwhelmed by it all so much so that he felt his only escape was death. The theme

of mistreatment by people who should be supportive and trustworthy in each production is

prominent in these two song selections.

“Sexy” is the empowerment song that every person needs and is sung by the clever, yet

unintelligent Karen in the musical Mean Girls. Karen is a carefree girl that needs nobody’s

approval except the plastics. She knows that she has the style, the body, and the attitude to bring

in the boys and be a queen. The lyrics “I expect to run the world in shoes I cannot walk in” is the

perfect addition to an audition package for the role of Jamie New because it is an anthem of

showing the world you are boss. “And You Don’t Even Know It” is the perfect comparison to

this song because “I got the dreams, I got the style, I got the moves to drive you wild” bring the

same sensation of confidence to the stage. Both characters are strutting their stuff in these

numbers and giving the world a show. This song is essential to this audition package for more

than just the lyrics however. Gender-bending songs is a key part of this audition package because

it is a bold statement. Doing so will not only show the willingness to take a risk and step out of

the box, but also show comfort in not conforming to tradition gender norms and giving the

feeling to casting directors that this auditionee is one to be taken seriously.

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“Step One” from Kinky Boots is when Charlie has an epiphany about the shoe factory in

which he is laying workers off. Rather than that decision, there is the opportunity to make the

shoe factory inclusive for drag queens that cannot fit into women’s shoes. After facing adversity

in his life and this business, Lola helps convince Charlie that this could be a new business

opportunity. Charlie decides rather to give up on this dream, he can persevere and try to make it

work. Similarly, in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Pritti encourages Jamie to simply wear the

heels, and to go to prom in a dress in the song “Spotlight”. After enough support and

encouragement, Jamie takes the lead on the song, realizing he should not have to hide his true

self. Jamie realizes that he would be wasting his times and dreams, just like Charlie does with the

shoe factory, if he were to give up on his dreams. Each of the songs requires a friend to help the

protagonist realize there is truly something special about what they offer, and once they realize

it, they take on the challenge running, not looking back, because there is only the going onwards

and upwards into the future and the possibilities it holds.

The last selection of audition pieces that embody Jamie New as a character is, by no

surprise, “I Am What I Am” from the musical La Cage aux Folles. At this point in the musical,

the character Albin is singing in defiance to Jean-Michel. Albin will not change who he is for

anyone and is proud of who he is. Albin and a strong drag queen, with a career in drag, and loves

to be a drag queen. He would never sacrifice part of his being for anyone just to fit in to the

status quo or play it safe. Neither will the beloved character, Jamie New. Everybody’s Talking

About Jamie is a musical that radiates the theme of being yourself, no matter who is looking.

Jamie New discovers his passion, in the art of drag. He is willing to follow the path to become a

drag queen and has a large amount of support from family and friends. At the end of the musical,

at prom, when Jamie is not initially allowed in, he refuses to leave because he knows he also
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deserves a spot at the table, or dancefloor if you will. Albin and Jamie are both drag queens,

which is the strongest connection they have as characters. They are at drastically different points

in their life and the storylines follow different paths. Despite all of that, both characters present

themselves as unapologetically Albin, or unapologetically Jamie. They do not hold back from the

world, the love to perform in drag, and will always be willing to take a chance to show their

talents. This song completes the audition package because it is a powerful and emotionally

charged song that exemplifies a desire to be different and to truly be a star.

Each of the five songs that were chosen, were done so because they bring different

aspects of the life of Jamie together. They depict a character who experiences immense pain and

disapproval, a character that has a strong sense of fight within themselves, a character that will

walk around in 8-inch heels, not missing a step and smiling the entire time. Understanding the

character of Jamie New for an audition requires a deep understanding of what it means to

experience being an outsider and to feel unwelcomed, to have done extensive research on the

defining events with in his life as depicted in the production, and an ability to show complex

character development with emotions ranging from defeat, anger, and utter euphoria. All of these

concepts must be drawn from your life and perspectives of the world and those around you.
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Works Cited

Brennan, Clare. “Everybodys Talking About Jamie Review – Joyous Teen Drag Musical.” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Feb. 2017,

Griffiths, Josie. “Meet Jamie Campbell, Drag Queen Who Wore a Dress to His School
Prom.” The Sun, The Sun, 31 Aug. 2018, www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/5041465/jamie-
campbell-drag-queen-everybodys-talking-about-jamie-show-mum-margaret/.

Hall, George, and Nick Smurthwaite. “Interview with Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Inspiration Jamie Campbell.” The Stage, The Stage, 13 Nov. 2017,
www.thestage.co.uk/features/interviews/2017/everybodys-talking-jamie-inspiration-
jamie-campbell-first-heard-someone-told-friend-auditioned-play-mum/.

JamieMusical. “About the Show.” Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Nimax Theatres Limited,
2019, www.everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/about.

MacRae, Tom. “'This Is How It Happened': Tom MacRae on Writing Everybody's Talking
About Jamie.”, The Arts Desk, 5 Nov. 2017, theartsdesk.com/theatre/how-it-happened-
tom-macrae-writing-everybodys-talking-about-jamie.

Wikipedia. “Everybody's Talking About Jamie.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Apr.

2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody's_Talking_About_Jamie.
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World, Welcome to Erin's. “Jamie Musical Bootleg Clips.” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Nov. 2011,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjkscx9Osmw&list=PLHbRfE8PLVMKFq8Nq_6eyIHEhnd
-crFGR.

CASTING CALL

Seeking a young male aged/resembles a 16-year old young boy to perform as Jamie New

in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie during the 2020-2021 season at Pantages Theatres.

Must be experienced in drag.

Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the new award-

winning five-star hit musical for today. Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate

in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. He is going to

be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends,

Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the

spotlight.

COMPENSATION AND UNION CONTRACT DETAILS

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Equity Actors Union and Non-union. Compensation of $500-$700 per show for a

performance run of 9 shows.

DATES AND LOCATIONS

Auditions are September 7th, 2019. Rehearsals begin October 14th, 2019. Show runs

January 20th-January 31st at the Medici Theatre.

SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FROM

Nationwide, all variety of races and gender identities welcome to audition.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Jamie New is a 16-year-old boy who wants to become a drag queen. Though he struggles

with adversity because of his sexuality and dreams, he fights through to become a star.

He is a tenor. Must be able to walk in 7-inch heels.