Audition Info

We will be holding open auditions for our winter production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Audition dates are Sunday, September 9 and Thursday, September 13 @ 7:30 pm. Callbacks if necessary will be announced at the auditions. The auditions will be held at Grace Lutheran Church located at 71st Road and Union Turnpike in Forest Hills, NY. Auditions are held on a first-come/first-served basis, but we like to remain flexible in case we want to see people act off each other.

Please be prepared to sing one song --- preferably from the show (at least 16 bars). Please bring sheet music. Accompaniment will be provided.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be directed by Kevin Schwab. Musical Director will be Paul L. Johnson.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. The Music and Lyrics were written by William Finn. Book is by Rachel Sheinkin.

Show dates are November 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 & Dec., 2018. Friday & Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances start at 2 p.m.

Synopsis: An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.

The Character breakdown is as follows:

Chip Tolentino	An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. C4 - B5
Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy)	Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year. A3 - F5
Leaf Coneybear	The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. A3 - A5
William Barfee	A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous "Magic Foot" method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive. E4 - B5
Marcy Park	A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year's nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry. C4 - E5
Olive Ostrovsky	A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms. B3 - F5
Rona Lisa Peretti	The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward. B3 - F5
Douglas Panch	The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.
Mitch Mahoney	The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. E4 - A5
Carl Dad	Schwartzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwartzy's fathers.  Normally played by actor playing Leaf.  G3 - D5
Dan Dad	The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwartzy's fathers.  Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.  G3 - D5
Jesus Christ	Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip. Leaf's Mom, Dad, And Siblings All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
Olive's Dad	A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work.  Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.  E4 - B5
Olive's Mom	A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India.  Normally played by the actor playing Rona.  D4 - E5

We are also in need of many non-acting positions. These include:

Set builders and designers

Stage crew

Costumers

Ushers

...and other production-oriented positions.

If you are interested in any of the non-acting positions, E-mail the producers and they will set up an interview.