AUDITION NOTICE
Compass Rose Theater Presents
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Directed & Choreographed by Tommy Malek
Music Directed by Rachel Sandler
Non-Union, Paid (Stipend) - All roles open
All actors must be at least 16 years of age or older
Rehearsals begin Jan 15, 2024
Show runs March 15, 2024 - April 28, 2024
Accepting video audition submissions through January 10, 2024.
In-person Callbacks, if needed, will be on January 13, 2024, 9 am-1 pm in Annapolis, MD.
AUDITION CUTS:
All audition cuts and the schedule with any potential rehearsal times & show dates can be found in our Google Drive Audition folder: [
CLICK HERE]
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1veX1a9G4vSUbPbbFhqYjgMoBAoujnzyR?usp=share_link. To submit an audition video, please follow the guidelines below. If you have any questions or concerns, email us at
audition@compassrosetheater.org. Character Breakdowns are listed below the Show Description.
TO SUBMIT:
Please send your audition submission to
audition@compassrosetheater.org. Record a video of any musical cuts from the audition folder you’d like - you may submit material for multiple characters. After recording your video, please send it as a YouTube or Vimeo link. Also, be sure to include your headshot & resume and any other material you’d like us to see. All videos must be submitted by Wednesday, January 10, at 11:59 pm. Callbacks will be held on January 13, 2024, 9 am -1 pm in Annapolis, MD, and you will be notified by January 11 if we need to see anything else from you. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email the director of Spelling Bee, Tommy Malek, or the music director, Rachel Sandler, by sending a message to
audition@compassrosetheater.org.
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
From MTI Shows - An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents [played by adults] 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 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 den of comedic genius.”
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:
Chip Tolentino
An athletic, social boy scout and Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee champion. He returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. He also plays “Jesus.” High Tenor.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Schwartzy)
The youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current news and influential figures. She is driven by internal & external pressure, but above all by the desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is incredibly focused, hyper-attentive, and speaks with a lisp. Mezzo-Soprano.
Leaf Coneybear
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 displays a certain ineptitude for anything particularly scholastic, but oddly spells words entirely correctly while in a trance. Also plays “Carl Dad.” Tenor.
William Barfée
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 and sometimes bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive. Baritone/Tenor.
Marcy Park
A recent transfer from Virginia, Marcy placed ninth in last year's nationals. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is the poster child for the Over-Achiever and attends a Catholic school called Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows. She is also not allowed to cry. Mezzo-Soprano.
Olive Ostrovsky
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, but blossoms into a confident speller through the show. Mezzo Soprano with Strong Mix/Belt.
Rona Lisa Peretti
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. Also plays “Olive’s Mom.” Mezzo-Soprano.
Douglas Panch
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 affection. Strong improv skills are a plus. Non-singing role.
Mitch Mahoney
The Official Comfort Counselor of the Spelling Bee. 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. Also plays “Dan Dad” and “Olive’s Dad.”
Videos
