the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Auditions will be held in the Main Theatre at the Spotlight Theatre Complex, 187 Ashmore Rd Benowa on Sunday 15th February from 10am.

There will be an audition workshop in the Basement Theatre, Tuesday 3rd February from 7pm.

This delightful and challenging musical requires a small but uniquely talented adult cast of 9. The adults play the kids as well as the adults, in multiple roles. The show has a high element of improvisation among its ensemble cast. The Director will also be seeking understudies for many of the roles. Auditions will comprise of vocal and music components as well as improvisation and cold read.

To register for an audition, or for further information, please contact the theatre auditions@spotlighttheatre.com.au

Characters

• Rona Lisa Peretti: The #1 Realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champ and returning moderator. She's a sweet woman who loves children but can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Principal Panch, who has feelings for her that she most likely doesn't return. Ms. Peretti herself won the 3rd spelling bee by spelling syzygy which she recounts at the very beginning of the opening number.

• Vice Principal Douglas Panch:: After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an "incident" at the 20th annual Bee, but he claims to be in "a better place" now, thanks to a high-fibre diet. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.

• Mitch Mahoney: The Official Comfort Counsellor. An ex-con, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing contestants

• 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 at some time during the bee. She made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her make it to the competition.

• William Barfée: A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy personality. •

• Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre: Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures, with two overbearing gay men as parents. She is a bit of a neat-freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.

• Marcy Park: A recent transfer from Virginia. Marcy placed 9th 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-Achieving Asian. She is also not allowed to cry.

• Leaf Coneybear: The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark: the winner and first runner-up had to go to the first runner-up's Bar Mitzvah. Leaf comes from a large family of former hippies and makes his own clothes. He spells words correctly while in a trance. In his song, "I'm Not That Smart", he sings that his family thinks he is "not that smart" but insinuates that he is merely easily distracted. •

• Chip Tolentino  A boy scout and champion of the 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.