"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Teen Audition

The number-one realtor in Putnam County and 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, who has feelings for her that she most likely does not return. It is implied that she sees much of herself in Olive Ostrovsky. Her favorite moments of the Bee are: the minutes before it starts, when all the children are filled with the joy of competition before they begin to resent each other.

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 (or so we think), thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.

The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students.

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. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition.

A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous "Magic Foot" method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee ("there's an accent aigu", he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive during the second half of the show. In the end he wins the spelling bee.

Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing gay fathers pushing her to win at any cost. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and knows she will return to the bee next year.

A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year's nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of an all-American hockey team, 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 a total over-achiever, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows". She is also not allowed to cry.

A homeschooler and the second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the winner's Bat Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance. In his song, "I'm Not That Smart", he sings that his family thinks he is "not that smart", but he insinuates that he is merely easily distracted.

("Tripp Barrington" in the original workshop, "Isaac 'Chip' Berkowitz" in the Chicago production): A Boy Scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title. Relatively social and athletic, as he plays little league, Chip expects things to come easily but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.

Audience members are encouraged to sign up to participate before the show, and several are chosen to spell words on stage. In touring productions, local celebrities are sometimes selected.

One of SchwartzandGrubenierre's fathers; he has set his heart on his little girl winning the Bee, no matter what he has to do, including sabotaging William's foot. Usually played by the actor who plays Leaf.

SchwartzandGrubenierre's other father; he is more laid back and doting than Carl but is still intent on his daughter winning the Bee. Usually played by the actor who plays Mitch.

Doubtful and finds his son annoying and unintelligent. Usually played by the actor who plays Barfée.

Overprotective and doubtful of her son's abilities to stand up to the competition. Usually played by the actor who plays Logainne.

Not very confident of Leaf's abilities. Usually played by the remaining spellers (both cast and the volunteer audience spellers).

She is in India, he is working late, but they appear in Olive's imagination to encourage her and tell her they love her. Usually played by the actors who play Miss Peretti and Mitch.

She is in India, he is working late, but they appear in Olive's imagination to encourage her and tell her they love her. Usually played by the actors who play Miss Peretti and Mitch.

Appears to Marcy in a moment of crisis. Usually played by the actor who plays Chip.