Audition: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Name: Audition: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Start: 2024-12-15T18:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-15T21:00:00-05:00
Location: 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY, United States, New York 12572

Schedule

Sun Dec 15 2024 at 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY, United States, New York 12572 | Rhinebeck, NY

Up In One Productions, the company that brought you last season’s Guys and Dolls, Spring Awakening, and Peter and the Starcatcher, will hold open auditions for its upcoming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continues to charm audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
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 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 a champion! At least the losers get a juice box. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful hive of comedic genius and a fast-paced audience favorite.
AUDITIONS: Sunday, December 15th at 6:00 pm & Monday, December 16th at 7:00 pm
CALLBACKS: Wednesday, December 18th at 7:00 pm *Invitation only
LOCATION: The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (Downstairs)
PERFORMANCE DATES: March 14-30, 2025. Fridays March 14, 21, 28 and Saturday March 15 at 8pm. Saturdays March 22 & 29, Sundays March 16, 23, 30 at 3 pm.
PRODUCER: Diana Di Grandi
DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER: Caleb Sheedy
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Russell McCook
STAGE MANAGER: Crystal Carolan
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Brooke Stupple
PREPARE: (a) One of the provided cuts of a song from the show for a character that interests/excites you. You may also prepare a song in the style of the show if you’d prefer. Bring your selection of sheet music for the piano accompanist, however sheet music will also be available at the audition. Audition cuts may be found in the Audition Packet - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wI5htoDZmBUriqvgEfIL_XOfZBNPCqZP
(b) Please prepare a side for a character that interests/excites you. Sides can be found in the Audition Packet - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wI5htoDZmBUriqvgEfIL_XOfZBNPCqZP
*You may sing and read for two different characters if you are drawn to more than one character

BE PREPARED TO LIST YOUR CONFLICTS. We cannot cast those with multiple conflicts, or conflicts during tech week through performance dates. General rehearsal and Performance Calendar is included in the Audition Packet - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wI5htoDZmBUriqvgEfIL_XOfZBNPCqZP
SEEKING: Actors and singers 18+ years of age. All ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritage / background, ability and body types are encouraged to audition. Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.
CONTENT NOTE: This production contains mature content and explicit language.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
The Spellers
Olive Ostrovsky: (Gender: Female presenting, 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.
William Barfée: (Gender: Male presenting, 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.
Chip Tolentino: (Gender: Male presenting, 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.
Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenniere: (Gender: Female presenting, 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.

Leaf Coneybear: (Gender: Male presenting, 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.
Marcy Park: (Gender: Female presenting, 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, and baton twirling. Marcy is ambitious, intellectual, and determined to win.

The Adults
Rona Lisa Peretti: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: mid 30s, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt B3-F5) 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. However, she can be stern when dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her unflagging interest in the competition keeps it moving forward. Rona is a warm and loving presence in an otherwise cold, stiff competition. She will also double as Olive’s mom.
Mitch Mahoney: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: late 20s to early 40s, Vocal Range: Tenor E3-A4) The official Comfort Counselor, Mitch is an ex-convict performing his community service with the Bee, handing out juice boxes to losing students. Though he has no idea how to offer comfort, he often wishes he could find a way to make the kids feel better. While Mitch may have a tough exterior, he is soft and kind-hearted underneath. He will also double as Olive’s dad.
Douglas Panch: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: mid 30s to early 40s, Non-singing)
The vice principal, frustrated with his life, finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After a five-year absence from the Bee, Panch returns as a 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, though she does not return his affections.
Others/Ensemble: *These roles are traditionally played by the spellers and adults, however all roles are open for consideration to being cast by additional actors who would also double as swings.
Carl Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: B2-G5) Schwartzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers.
Dan Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: B2-G5) The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers.
Olive’s Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: E4-B5) A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. Doubles as Mitch.
Olive’s Mom: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: D4-E5) A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Doubles as Rona.
For questions or further information: [email protected]