Auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Directed by Kelly Schoonaert
AUDITION DATES (Auditions will be held at Wausau Community Theatre, 136 Summer St. Schofield, WI 54476)
- Thursday, January 15 (6:30 - 8:30 PM)
- Saturday, January 17 (1:00 - 3:00 PM & 3:00 - 5:00 PM)
Callbacks (invite only)
- Sunday, January 18 (1:00 PM)
Audition Sign-Up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4BABAD2FA57-61302442-december#/
**Please complete the audition form linked in the sign-up description prior to the audition date and bring with you.
Plan for the full two hours indicated when signing up to be used for auditions.
SHOW DATES:
Friday, March 20 | 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 21 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 22 | 2:00 PM
Performances will be held at James F. Veninga Theatre | UW Center for Civic Engagement
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a funny, poignant adult show with adult themes. Therefore, we will not be casting anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent and no one under 16.
The audition will be conducted in small groups of 10 and will consist of singing 32 measures of a song of your choice + a cut of a song from the show of your choosing, if wanted. Songs from the show are permitted but not required - see the karaoke versions of the whole score on YouTube - a cold reading from the script, a short dance, and a group improvisation. We are looking for personality and ability to deliver strong character choices. (Even if your choices are not consistant with the vision we will end up with, we want to see strong choices).
You may be asked to sing your song again, while making a different choice given to you to see your creativity and ability to improvise and adapt.
CHARACTER LIST:
Child characters (all child characters are played by adults):
Cliff Tolentino - The reigning spelling bee champion. Relatively athletic and social, expects things to come easily to him. Lately he has been going through some weird changes and things are slipping out of his control.
High tenor.
Sings an “uncomfortable song”.
Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere - Youngest bee participant, driven by internal and external pressures to succeed and a wish to make her two fathers proud. She has a pronounced lisp, is uncomfortable in her body, possess lots of energy and has a strong presence with her political awareness and sense of justice. Aware and outgoing.
Leaf Coneybear - A second alternate. Never expected to be at the bee. Home-schooled with his many siblings, everything is about his life is an adventure to him from meeting other kids, to showing off his homemade clothing. Has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and delights in his own wondering focus. Leaf doesn’t expect to win or even spell one word correctly but he finds everything amazing and amusing. He is probably on the spectrum but doesn’t know it or care and the world is his oyster.
William Barfee - Has a host of problems and a lot to prove. Loud and combative as a defense mechanism, he is the fat kid who is constantly picked on so he gets into lots of fights. His parents are divorced, his father has a new family. HE does not expect nor give kindness so friendship takes him by surprise. He has a remarkable technique spelling words out on the floor with his foot. Had an ill timed allergic reaction last year which disqualified him so he has a lot to prove. He sees a person’s needs outside his own for the first time and it shakes him to his core.
Marcy Park - The ultimate overachiever. Marcy has never been given another option. She is from a family where excellence is expected and produced. A parochial school student she assumes God expects perfection as well. She excels in school, dance, martial arts, sports, music, and many other pursuits. She is tired of always having to be the best.
Olive Ostrovsky - A word lover, Olive is a fairly quiet introverted girl. An only child with often absent parents Olive spends a lot of time alone. She is very self sufficient because she’s had to be. She starts out shy and blossoms.
Adult characters
Rona Lisa Perretti and Olive's Mom - PUTNAM'S LONG TIME SPELLING BEE HOSTESS, A LOCAL REALATOR, AND FORMER CHAMPION, this is Rona’s day to shine. She loves the bee and keeps it running smoothly, upholds the protocol and conveys crucial information. She wants the bee to be a highlight in everyone’s life, as it is in hers.
Vice Principal Douglas Panch - A man frustrated with his life. He fell into education less out of love than necessity of an available job. Love of spelling is alien to him. He is stuck in a dead end job, waiting for a promotion that is not coming. Was not thrilled to get the call this morning that he was needed to substitute since three years ago he had an unfortunate incident the last time he had to do this. He is infatuated with Rona who doesn’t give him the time of day.
Mitch Mahoney - Has a bouncers physique and a rough look and demeanor (think Hells Angel). Mitch appears cold and unfeeling and appears to be an odd choice for the comfort counselor to comfort spellers when they spell something wrong and are disqualified. Mitch is doing this as a part of his court ordered community service. He develops a fondness for the kids and wants them to not suffer.
Also check out other Arts events in Schofield, Kids events & activities in Schofield, Theatre events in Schofield.
