Show Dates:
September 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 (of 2023)
Audition Notice:
Directed by: Michael Ronca
Music Director: Ben Potts
Choreographer: Katie McGrier
Auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be held at Facetime Theatre (400 Franklin Avenue, Suite 109, Phoenixville, PA 19460) on Thursday, May 18 at 6:30 pm and Sunday, May 21 at 7:00 pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, May 22 at 7:00 pm. Auditioners must be 16 or older.
The Show: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee follows six awkward spelling champions who learn that winning (and losing) isn’t everything.
Preparation: Please prepare a musical selection in the style of the show, clearly marked, no more than 32 bars in length. Please be prepared to make bold, exciting choices! Show us your sense of humor! Make us laugh!
Important Dates:
Auditions: May 18 & 21
Callbacks: May 22
First Rehearsal: June 1
Tech: September 9-September 14 (will have one night off TBD)
Show Dates: September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 at 7:30pm; September 17, 24 at 2:00pm
Rehearsals will generally be held Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings.
** All auditioners MUST show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 at the auditions **
If you have any questions about the production, you can contact the director at MichaelPhilipRonca@gmail.com.
To SIGN UP for an audition, and if you have any questions about Facetime Theatre, please contact auditions.facetime@gmail.com. Please include your preferred audition day, resume, and photo/headshot if you have them available. If you cannot make the audition dates, please email us and we will see what we can work out.
If you are interested in taking advantage of audition prep session offered here at Facetime Theatre, visit this link to see available options: Facetime Theatre Audition Prep
Seeking: We are seeking an energetic cast diverse in age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and abilities for this fast paced, hilarious show.
CHIP TOLENTINO– C3-B4; An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of last year’s spelling bee, returning to defend title.
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENNIERE – A3-F5; Youngest and most politically aware speller, driven by internal and external pressure with a desire to win and make her two fathers proud, speaks with a lisp.
LEAF CONEYBEAR– A2-A4; Gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing, comes from a large family of former hippies, spells words correctly while in a trance.
WILLIAM BARFEE – E3-B4; A finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication, uses his “magic foot” method of spelling.
MARCY PARK – C4-E5; New to Putnam County, Marcy placed ninth in last year’s nationals, speaks six languages. She comes from a family where excellence is expected.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY – B3-F5; A newcomer to competitive spelling. She starts enormously shy, however, gains more confidence throughout the bee.
RONA LISA PERRETTI– B3-F5; A sweet woman who loves children, she is the number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam Country Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator.
VICE PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS PANCH – The Vice Principle. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti.
MITCH MAHONEY– E3-B4; The Official Comfort Counselor (he has no idea how to offer comfort). An ex-convict, he is performing his community service with the Bee.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE OF 4 (Will potentially cover OLIVE’S MOM, OLIVE’S DAD, CARL DAD, DAN DAD, ETC.)
All roles are Non-Union and Unpaid.
Facetime Theatre is committed to diversity and encourages all to engage in a policy of equal opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Facetime Theatre encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Callbacks: Please familiarize yourself with the following songs and sides in this folder if you are called back for that specific character. All auditioners called back may be asked to do a small dance/movement routine. (The callback folder will be ready by the first day of auditions.)
Location:
Facetime Theatre (in the Franklin Commons)
400 Franklin Avenue
Suite 109
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Show description (courtesy of MTI)
“Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly 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 (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.”