Olympia Family Theater is thrilled to announce auditions for our upcoming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — a hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy featuring a cast of quirky middle schoolers (played by adults) and the equally eccentric adults who guide them.
Directed by Robin Tuckett
Musically Directed by Anya Guadamuz
This show runs from May 16th to June 8th!
Audition Requirements:
Auditions will take place at Olympia Family Theater on
Friday Feb. 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and
Saturday Feb. 22nd from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Please take a look at the Full Rehearsal & Performance Schedule and make sure you don’t have any large scheduling conflicts!
Monologue: Please prepare a 30-second to 1-minute monologue. We will also have monologue options available at OFT on the day of your audition. Memorization is not required, you may have your monologue with you at auditions.
Music Selection: Please select one of the following songs to prepare for your audition. Memorization is not required though strongly recommended. Songs from the show will be accompanied live, non-show songs will be accompanied with the same backtrack as listed below.
Approved Song List:
Click on a song below to see sheet music or a backing track.
Selections from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee:
‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ (m.1-22) – Chip/Any
‘My Friend The Dictionary’ (m.1-29) – Olive
‘Magic Foot’ (m.1-33) – Barfée
‘Woe Is Me’ (m.44-66) – Logainne
‘I Speak 6 Languages’ (m.1-39) – Marcy
‘I’m Not That Smart’ (m.1-21) – Leaf
‘Prayer of the Comfort Counselor’ (m.1-28) – Mitch
‘The Rules’ (m.32-67) – Rona
Additional Song Options (Non-Spelling Bee Selections):
*Vocal ranges are merely recommendations, not requirements. Choose the song that makes you shine!
‘Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye’ – Anything Goes
(Recommended for Soprano)
‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ – The Wizard of Oz
(Recommended for Alto) (stopping at 1:47)
‘Waving Through a Window’ – Dear Evan Hansen
(Recommended for Tenor) (stopping at 1:22)
‘If I Can’t Love Her’ – Beauty and the Beast
(Recommended for Baritone) (stopping at 1:36)
About the show
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is an unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six tweens will do anything it takes to be reigning champion of the bee- all under the watchful eye of three equally quirky grown-ups. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their private lives, these middle schoolers spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced crowd pleaser and an instant theatre patron favorite.
Casting Breakdown (Ages 16+ Only):
Due to the mature nature of the show, we are only casting performers ages 16 and up.
Spellers:
Actors of any gender encouraged to audition for any role, must be able to portray Speller characters as middle school-aged students. We encourage auditioners to make bold choices and if comfortable, employ elements of physical comedy when appropriate. When doing so, please be mindful to not make choices that could be offensive to people that experience disabilities that impact physical and/or vocal expression.
Chip Tolentino (1) & Jesus (2)
(1) The reigning champion of last year’s spelling bee returns to reclaim his title. This athletic, social boy scout is arrogant at times and finds himself dealing with the awkwardness of growing up when puberty strikes at an inopportune moment.
(2) Deity invoked by a speller in need.
Vocal Range: Tenor, C4-B5- Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere (1) & Leaf’s Mom (2)
(1) The youngest speller, Logainne is quirky, earnest, politically aware, and above all else determined to please her two fathers. She is somewhat of a neat freak and will return to the bee next year. This character is historically performed with a lisp.
(2) Much like Leaf’s father and siblings, she is more academically gifted than leaf and is even more surprised than he is at his success.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano, A3-F5 - Leaf Coneybear (1) & Carl Dad (2)
(1) The second runner-up in his district, Leaf did not expect to compete. Coming from a family of former hippies with many siblings, Leaf is a home-schooled child that finds adventure and excitement at every turn of the bee. Leaf has attention-deficit disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. Physical comedy skills desired.
(2) Logainne’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of her fathers.
Vocal Range: Baritenor, G3 – B4
- William Barfée (1) & Leaf’s Dad (2)
(1) With plugged up sinuses and a dream, Barfée is determined to win the bee and avenge his allergy-induced elimination from last year. His distinctive “Magic Foot” technique boosted him to spelling glory, despite his bullying personality. A strong comedic role.
(2) Much like Leaf’s mother and siblings, he is more academically gifted than Leaf and is even more surprised than Leaf is at his son’s success.
Vocal Range: Tenor, E3-B4 - Marcy Park (1) & Leaf’s Sister (2)
(1) An overachiever through and through, this multi-lingual, champion athlete, and musical prodigy only sleeps three hours a night and lives to impress her family. Marcy feels immense pressure to be perfect. Mezzo-Sopranos with special abilities (baton twirling, splits, cartwheels etc) are encouraged to audition for this character.
(2) Much like their parents, she is more academically gifted than Leaf and is even more surprised than he is at his success.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano, C4 – E5 - Olive Ostrovsky
A logophile and newcomer to competitive spelling, the only thing Olive wants more than winning is for her parents to be more present in her life. Her dictionary keeps her company while her father works late and her mother spends time away in an ashram in India. Though a shy and sweet young girl, Olive possesses a strong voice that blooms throughout the show.
Vocal Range: Soprano/High Mezzo, B3-F5
Adults:
Adult roles are available to actors of any gender aged 21 years and older. Improvisational acting skills are desired.
Rona Lisa Perretti (1) & Olive’s Mom (2)
(1) Host of the spelling bee and former champion of the bee herself, the number-one realty in Putnam county returns to serve as the moderator for the bee. A kind-hearted woman, who is enthusiastic about the bee and nostalgic about her past.
(2) A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India.
Vocal Range: Soprano/High Mezzo, B3-F5
Vice Principal Douglas Panch
The Vice Principal of a local middle school, he is frustrated with his life. Detached from the interests of the young spellers, Panch returns to judge the bee after a five year absence following an “incident.” Panch plays along with his role to impress his crush, Rona, who is very dismissive of his feelings despite his rigorous attempts at bettering himself through a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. Improv skills highly desired.
Vocal Range: Preferably Tenor, though this is a role with no solos and minimal singing.
Mitch Mahoney (1) & Dan Dad (2) & Olive’s Dad (3)
(1) The Official Comfort Counselor and ex-convict, Mitch seems an unlikely fit for his role at the bee but he must oblige to his community service orders. Mitch is an outsider who gets to inhabit the audience’s perspective as he passing out juice boxes to losing students and externally ponders the wisdom of putting kids through the all-encompassing stress of the bee.
(2) The more laid back and ineffectual of Logainne’s fathers.
(3) A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work.
Vocal Range: Tenor, G3-B5
MARCH
Monday March 24th – 1st Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Tuesday March 25th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday March 26th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday March 27th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Monday March 31st – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
APRIL
Tuesday April 1st – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday April 2nd – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday April 3rd – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Sunday April 6th – Rehearsal (1-5pm)
Tuesday April 8th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday April 9th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday April 10th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Sunday April 13th – Rehearsal (1-5pm)
Tuesday April 15th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday April 16th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday April 17th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Sunday April 20th – Rehearsal (1-5pm) – Easter
Tuesday April 22nd – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday April 23rd – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday April 24th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Sunday April 27th – Rehearsal (1-5pm)
Tuesday April 29th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday April 30th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
MAY
Thursday May 1st – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Sunday May 4th – Sitzprobe (1-5pm)
Tuesday May 6th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Wednesday May 7th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
Thursday May 8th – Rehearsal (6:30-9:30pm)
(TECH)
Friday May 9th – Cue to Cue (5:30-10:30pm)
Saturday May 10th – Cue to Cue/Tech Run (12-6pm)
Monday May 12th – Dress Rehearsal (6-10:30pm)
Tuesday May 13th – Dress Rehearsal (6-10:30pm)
Wednesday May 14th – Dress Rehearsal (6-10:30pm)
Thursday May 15th – Invited Final Dress Rehearsal (6-10:30pm)
SHOWS
MAY
Friday May 16th – Opening Night 7pm
Saturday May 17th – 2pm & 7pm
Sunday May 18th – 2pm
Friday May 23rd – 7pm
Saturday May 24th – 2pm & 7pm
Sunday May 25th – 2pm
Friday May 30th – 7pm
Saturday May 31st – 2pm & 7pm
JUNE
Sunday June 1st – 2pm
Friday June 6th – 7pm
Saturday June 7th – 2pm & 7pm
Sunday June 8th – Closing Show 2pm
