"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Seeks Teens
Seeking young Equity talent for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". Please see the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. About the project: It’s time to prep the gymnasium for Putnam County’s big Spelling Bee, and this year’s champion is anyone’s guess! In this lovable and subversive musical comedy, adult performers hilariously portray six awkward adolescents as they compete for the coveted spelling bee trophy. Filled with touching tales of growing up, all the awkwardness of puberty, and a dictionary’s worth of definitions, this riotously funny musical will leave audiences utterly C-H-A-R-M-E-D. Rate: SPT $394 weekly minimum (SPT 2) Additional info: Actors are requested to prepare one 60-90 second monologue and one 32-bar cut of music of their choosing. Actors only interested in auditioning for non-musical productions are asked to perform only a 60-90 second monologue and may perform a second monologue should time permit. An accompanist will be available for actors interested in auditioning with a song. Please bring your headshot and resume stapled together. BREAK: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions. First Rehearsal: 5/3/27 Production Runs: Thurs-Sun 6/3/27-6/20/27 Possible Extension: 6/24-6/27 If interested, please apply.
6 roles
Depicting age: 11, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt B3-F5. 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 off enormously shy, but slowly blossoms. Olive is generous, optimistic, and full of love for everyone she meets.
Depicting age: 12, Vocal Range: Tenor E2-B4) A finalist in last year’s Putnam County Spelling Bee, he was eliminated due to an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has propelled him to spelling glory, despite having only one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. Barfée is pompous and determined to win but has a soft heart.
Depicting age: 13, Vocal Range: Tenor C3-B4) An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title but finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Chip is practical and resourceful but can be easily distracted—often at the worst times.
Depicting age: 10, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt A3-F5) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, frequently making comments about current political figures. She is driven by both internal and external pressure, but above all, by her desire to win and make her two fathers proud. A bit of a neat freak, she speaks with a lisp and is determined to return next year. Logainne is enthusiastic, hard-working, and prone to overthinking.
Depicting age: 11, Vocal Range: Tenor A2-A4) The second runner-up in his district, Leaf enters the competition on a whim and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. Leaf has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and often spells words correctly while in a trance. He is imaginative, passionate about spelling, and simply happy to be there.
Depicting age: 13, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt C4-E5) The ultimate overachiever, Marcy has never been given another option. Coming from a family where excellence is expected, she produces it effortlessly. A parochial school student, she assumes God also expects perfection. Though she sees herself as a bundle of problems, she keeps them to herself. Having moved frequently due to her parents' work, Marcy knows she can outshine the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts
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