Please submit your auditions by November 4th at midnight. (But kids, earlier is always better!) Please prepare a short one minute song from the show (YES, THAT'S WHAT WE SAID, YOU ARE ALLOWED!) Please also give us a one minute comedic monologue OR spell your favorite word and give it's origin and definition, AND then tell us why it's your favorite word. *If we don't know you please let us know a bit about you and if we already know you please remind us why we love you so much!
**PLEASE NOTE** we are looking for honest, fresh performances and not imitations of the Broadway soundtrack.
GUIDELINES
Character Breakdown: Actively seeking non-equity actors (Of all ages 17 and up) who have strong voices and who can move extremely well. We are looking for actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, and physical abilities.
*Please note that our Pre-Professional Training Production of Spelling Bee (for teens and college age actors) will be holding auditions in December! We encourage anyone not cast in this production to attend those auditions as well.
Chip Tolentino (Male presenting) An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy) (Female presenting) 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.
Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Leaf Coneybear (Male or female presenting): 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 home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.
Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: A2
William Barfee (Male presenting) 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.
Vocal range top: Bb4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Marcy Park (Seeking a female presenting actor who identifies as Asian) The ultimate over-achiever, 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. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool.
Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Olive Ostrovsky (Female presenting) 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.
Vocal range top: F#5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Rona Lisa Peretti (Female presenting) 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.
Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: C4
Douglas Panch (Male presenting) 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.
Mitch Mahoney (Male or Female presenting) 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.
Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: E3
The 2-4 Ensemble Spellers (who will be understudy the other spellers) and may also play some of the following roles:
Carl Dad Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
Dan Dad the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Jesus Christ Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.
Leaf's Mom, Dad, And Siblings All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
Olive's Dad A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: E3
Olive's Mom A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: D4
*This show may have two casts ala RTC*
OTHER INFORMATION
Some actors will be asked to attend callbacks on Wednesday Evening, November 12th at 6:30pm. There will be a required dance call as this show will have Chris Payen choreography, followed by vocals and scene work.
Rehearsals begin January 2nd-February 12th:
Pre-Week (Jump start fri and sat) Fri, Jan 2nd 6-10:30pm Sat, Jan 3rd 2-6pm
Sun, Jan 4th 2-6pm Mon, jan 5th 6-10:30pm Tues, Jan 6th 6-10:30pm Thurs, Jan 8th 6-10:30pm Fri, Jan 9th 6-10:30 *tbd if needed
Week 2 Sun, Jan 11th 11-2pm tbd if needed *Skip week for Alice By Heart tech* *Sun, Jan 18th 6-10:30pm Tues, Jan 20th 6-10:30pm Weds, jan 21st 6:30-10:30pm Thurs, Jan 22nd 6-10:30pm
Week 3 Sun, Jan 25th 2-6pm *Tbd 6-10:30pm Tues, jan 27th 6-10:30pm Weds, Jan 28th 6:30-10:30pm Thurs, Jan 29th 6-10:30pm Fri, Jan 30th 6-10:30pm *tbd if needed
Week 4 Sun, Feb 1st 2-6pm Tues, Feb 3 6-10:30pm Weds, Feb 4 6-10:30pm Thurs Feb 5th 6-10:30pm Fri, Feb 6th 6-10:30pm *TBD if needed
Tech Week 5 Sat, Feb 7th 1-9pm Sun, Feb 8th 2-7pm Mon 9th-Thurs, 12th 6-11pm
Performances: *7:30pm and 2pm mats Feb 13 Feb 14 (2 shows) Feb 15 mat
Feb 20 Feb 21 (2 shows) Feb 22 mat
(*tbd extension weekend)
Feb 27 Feb 28 (2 shows) March 1 mat
All actors will receive a $300 show stipend plus an even share of actors tips collected after every show.