"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Needs Talent
In search of male and female talent for the "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" show. Please see the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. About the project: 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. Additional info: Callbacks (if needed) will be held Tuesday night, December 5th, at 7 pm. First rehearsal date: Dec 18, 2023 (Rehearsals will be on Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday evenings 7-9:30PM and Saturday afternoons 1-6PM. Call times will vary each rehearsal.) Local DFW actors only. No stipend or housing is available at this time. * Bring a current headshot and resume. * Please prepare 16-32 bars of two contrasting musical theater songs in the style of the show. No a cappella singing. You will need to provide your own accompaniment track. A sound system and connector will be provided. Auditions will also include cold readings. **Actors only auditioning for Vice Principal Douglas Panch will only do cold readings. Performances Dates: February 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th at 7:30pm and Feburary 25th at 2:30pm. If you are interested, please apply.
9 roles
[actor also plays JESUS] Tenor C3-B4 (Male Presenting) The reigning spelling champion of Putnam County, he expects things to come easily to him. Lately though, he’s been going through some weird changes, and things are slipping out of his control.
Mezzo/Belt A3-F5 (Female Presenting) 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.
[actor also plays CARL DAD] Tenor A2-A4 (Male Presenting) 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.
Tenor E2-B4 (Male Presenting) 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.
Mezzo/Belt C4-E5 (Female Presenting) 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.
Mezzo/Belt B3-F5 (Female Presenting) 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.
[Actor also plays OLIVE’s MOM] Mezzo/Belt B3-F5 (Female Presenting) 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.
[Actor also plays DAN DAD, and OLIVE’s DAD] Tenor E3-A4 (Male Presenting) 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.
(Non-Singing) (Male Presenting) 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, but she does not return his affections.
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