Auditions for ISU Theatre's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

AUDITIONS FOR ISU THEATRE’S The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 

By William Finn 

Director—Mary Jo DuPrey 
Production Stage Manager— Kenedy Panosh

PRODUCTION DETAILS
There will be two music rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday, November 19 and 21, from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Rehearsals will begin the week of January 27, 2025, and will generally rehearse Monday-Friday evenings. Technical rehearsals begin late February, and performances will be March 6-9, 2025.

AUDITION DETAILS 

ISU Theatre will hold auditions for William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in Carver 308 on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 from 6:00pm-10:00pm

  • These auditions will be held jointly with Fixing Troilus & Cressida. You may choose to audition for one or both productions during your audition. See separate audition details for Fixing Troilus & Cressida.QR code for audition signup
  • Sign up online at Sign Up Genius, at Theatre.iastate.edu, or use the QR code. You only need to sign up for one audition slot, even if auditioning for both productions.
  • ·You will sign up for a 30-minute time slot, but you will be seen individually within that time period.
  • Callbacks will be held Saturday, November 16, as needed.

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS: 

Please prepare 16-32 Bars of a contemporary musical theater song in the style of the show. (It is strongly recommended that you have your selection memorized.) Please bring sheet music in the key you will be singing. An accompanist will be provided. You are also welcome to sing from the show, but you must bring the selection you are singing. Sides/Songs from the show will not be provided at the initial call.

Please also bring a headshot and theatrical resume (if available) to the audition as well. 

If you wish to peruse the script or score prior to auditions, copies may be checked out from 310 Carver Hall.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

Six awkward adolescents compete strenuously for the title championship, navigating their way through vexingly challenging vocabulary as they reveal the personal struggles and poignant disappointments of their personal lives. 

ROLES AVAILABLE 

This production is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Every auditionee will be considered for every role (see list of roles below). 

The Contestants [all play young teens} 

  • 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. Range B3 – F5. 
  • William Barfe - 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. Range E4 – B5. 
  • Marci Park -  The ultimate overachiever, 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. Range C4 – E5. 
  • 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 homeschooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. Range A3 – A5 
  • Chip Tolentino - An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Range: C4 – B5. 
  • Logainne Schwartandgrubeniere - 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. Range A3 – F5 

The ‘Adults’ 

  • 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. Female, Adult, Range B3 – F5. 
  • 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. Comedic Improv skills needed.   Vocal range N/A 
  • 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. Male, Early 20s, E4 – A5. 

Other Characters (may double with characters listed above or cast as stand alone roles) 

  • Carl Dad - Schwarzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers. Range G3 – D5. 
  • Dan Dad - the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers. Range G3 – D5. 
  • Olive’s Dad - A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. Range E4 – B 
  • Olive’s Mom - A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Range D4 – E5. 
  • Jesus Christ - invoked by a speller in need.  non singing 
  • Leaf’s Mom, Dad and Siblings - All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. non singing 

CREDIT AVAILABILITY 
2-3 Credits of Theatre 3010x available. 

Questions? Email isutheatre@iastate.eduor director, Mary Jo DuPrey at mjduprey@yahoo.com