The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Building Character Arts: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Audition Information

WELCOME!

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. We are excited to bring this show to life with a talented cast!

WHO

This production is open to performers ages 18 and up.

WHEN

• In-person Auditions: Tuesday, December 1st, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
  You will select a time slot in your audition form.
• Callbacks (Invitation Only): Tuesday, December 8th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
• Rehearsal Period: December 9th - March 17th
  (Primarily Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays)
  *Please click here for a tentative rehearsal schedule.*
  A detailed schedule will be provided after casting.
• Performances: March 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st

WHERE

Audition, Callbacks, and Performance Location:

Spotlight Stage
Inside North Point Mall
1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022
(Suite 2208, 2nd level next to the Food Court)

Rehearsals will be held at the Spotlight Stage or the black box in the Alpharetta Arts Center. We will inform you of where all rehearsals are in advance.

WHAT TO PREPARE

*FILL OUT YOUR AUDITION FORM HERE*

Initial Audition

Approximately 1-minute song of your choice that really shows you off.
Bring a karaoke/instrumental track and speaker for your song
Please prepare a 1-minute monologue.

CALLBACKS

If you are invited to callbacks, you will be asked to sing a section of a song from the show. Possibly more than one, so be familiar. Sides will also be provided to prepare. We do not expect you to be completely off-book.

SYNOPSIS

An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each eager to win for very different reasons. Sweet and shy Olive brings only her best friend (the dictionary) with her to the bee; bold and hyperallergic speller William Barfee uses his “magic foot” to propel him to greatness; former champion Chip is struggling with his burgeoning puberty; easily distracted Leaf is unconvinced that he’s smart enough to be a challenger; overachiever Marcy is disappointed by her consistent success; and politically aware Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre only wants to impress her gay dads. In hilarious, touching, and catchy songs, each speller reveals his/her hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition. With an engaging, tuneful score by William Finn and a sweet, funny book by Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee causes audiences to fall in love, both with the show itself and its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

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.

Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (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.

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.

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.

Marcy Park

The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents' work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool.

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.

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.

Douglas Panch

The Vice Principal. 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.

Carl Dad

Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.

Dan Dad

The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.

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.

Olive's Mom

A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact via email here »

We can’t wait to see you at auditions!