MARCH 25TH, 2023 | KREVSKY CENTER

Director: Tom Hostetter
Music Director: Mitchell Sensenig-Wilshire
Choreographer: Kelly Strange
Stage Manager: Mark Shelleman

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Seeking a multi-generational, diverse cast for this fast-paced and hilarious show. All actors age 15 and up are welcome and encouraged to audition. All roles may be played by actors of any identity who can sing the voice part listed in the character description.

Please review the breakdown of roles and prepare to audition for the one that speaks to you the most.

Chip Tolentino – Contestant

Tenor with easy (and frequent) high notes (C3 to B4), must be able to play age 17; somewhat athletic, very social and outgoing. He expects things to come easy to him, but some changes are causing him to lose control. He will “double” as the character of Jesus.

Leaf Coneybear- Contestant

Baritenor (low A to high G/optional high A); he has ADD but delights in his wandering focus. Home-schooled and the underdog among his siblings, Leaf is amused by everything but has no expectations of winning. He wears homemade clothing and a protective helmet.

William Barfee- Contestant

Tenor (C3 to Bb4); the “fat” kid who becomes a bully to avoid being picked-on (which happens anyway). He has several health problems and a lot to prove, but he expects no kindness from anyone but his mother. Friendship and coming to care for someone else takes him completely by surprise and shakes him profoundly. He spells words on the floor with his foot and has a featured “showbiz” number, so movement/dance skill (or potential) are a must.

Logainne Schwartzandgrubinniere- Contestant

Alto with belt (G3 to F5); the youngest contestant and the daughter of two gay fathers, whom she very much wants to please. She is driven by pressure and speaks with a lisp. She is uncomfortable in her body but has a strong sense of political awareness and a keen sense of justice.

Marcy Park- Contestant

Alto with belt (A3 to D5); the ultimate achiever because she feels her family expects it. She sees herself as a mass of problems but keeps them to herself. NEEDS SEVERAL SPECIAL SKILLS: possibly including dance (tap/ballet/jazz), playing piano (or other musical instrument), martial arts, baton twirling, juggling, gymnastics, etc. PLEASE NOTE ANY ADDITIONAL SKILLS YOU HAVE.

Olive Ostrovsky- Contestant

Soprano (A3 to C6) with strong middle range; starts out very shy, but later shyly blossoms. She lives a quiet life with her parents often absent. She loves words and reading the dictionary.

Rona Lisa Perretti – Adult

35-early 40s; soprano C4 to B5; longtime hostess of the bee, a local realtor and the 3^rd Annual Putnam County champion. She runs everything efficiently and upholds protocol. She sees the bee as a cerebral sporting event and wants the audience to understand every twist and turn of it. When the substitute word pronouncer (Panch) arrives, she steps up her game. The actress who plays “Rona” doubles as Olive’s Mom in a fantasy sequence.

VP Douglas Panch – Adult

35-early 50s; baritone (G2 to F4). He is frustrated with his life in education and feels stuck in a job waiting for a promotion that will never come. He lacks the drive of the contestants. He starts out eager to do well, redeem himself and impress Rona, whom he has admired for a long time. He will double as one of Logainne’s Dads and, possibly, Olive’s Dad (to be determined by vocal range).

Mitch Mahoney – Adult

Early 30s-50; gospel baritenor (C3 to A4) with a bouncer’s physique and demeanor. He is a parolee serving as a “comfort counselor” as part of his community service assignment. An “outsider,” he wonders about the wisdom of putting kids through this, as he has no idea how to offer comfort. However, he does his best to make the kids feel better about losing. He’ll also play one of Logainne’s Dads and, possibly, Olive’s Dad.

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare 32 bars of music from a song in a similar style to the show that best shows your voice and range. Legible sheet music must be provided for the rehearsal pianist/music director. Recorded accompaniment or a cappella auditions are not allowed. A reading will be provided. Please wear or bring appropriate clothes and shoes for the dance portion of the audition. If you are invited to call backs, music cuts and sides from the show will be provided.
There are two forms you will need to fill out for this audition: the Theatre Harrisburg audition form and the SPELLING BEE supplemental audition form. You may print and complete them ahead of the audition to save time. Have your conflict calendar handy when completing these. Please note! No conflicts are allowed during tech week or for any of the performances.
If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will need to also sign your audition form.
Please bring proof of COVID vaccination status for us to view: we do not need to make or keep a copy.

Theatre Harrisburg is committed to identity-conscious casting.

Callbacks:

Callbacks will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023 by invitation only.

Reach out to [email protected] with questions.

PLEASE NOTE:

Auditions are by sign-up ONLY. Please sign up through the following form:

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE AUDITIONS

MARCH 25TH, 2023 | KREVSKY CENTER

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Audition Requirements:

Callbacks:

PLEASE NOTE:

AUDITION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS):

SAVE WITH SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS