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!

When:

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
• Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Where: Allen Contemporary Theatre - 1210 E Main St, Allen, TX 75002

Directions: Google Maps to Event Venue Apple Maps to Event Venue

Director: Eddy Herring

Callbacks (choreography / pairings) will be Tuesday, August 26 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

• Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DABAE2FA4FF2-57814163-auditions
• Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show.
• Songs from the show are also acceptable.
• Bluetooth connection is available.
• Cold readings from the script.

All actors will receive a stipend.

Rehearsals

• Begin Monday, October 20th at 7:00 PM
• Monday - Thursday from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
• Sundays from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
• There will be no rehearsals November 26 - 29 for Thanksgiving.
• Tech week is November 30 - December 4.
• Absolutely NO conflicts during tech week will be accepted.
• No more than 3 conflicts during the rehearsal dates will be accepted.

Performances

• Show dates are December 5 - 21, 2025.
• Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 PM
• Sundays @ 3:00 PM
• Thursday performances on December 11 & 18 @ 8:00 PM

Available Roles

All roles available.

Seeking actors ages 21 and up. All ethnicities and genders are encouraged to audition.

Chip Tolentino
Vocal Range: C4 - B5

An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.

Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) Logainne
Vocal Range: A3 - F5

Is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year.

Leaf Coneybear
Vocal Range: A3 - A5

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 has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.

William Barfee
Vocal Range: E4 - B5

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, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive.

Marcy Park
Vocal Range: C4 - E5

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-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry.

Olive Ostrovsky
Vocal Range: 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 enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.

Rona Lisa Peretti
Vocal Range: 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, 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.

Douglas Panch

The Vice Principle. 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 affections.

Mitch Mahoney
Vocal Range: E4 - A5

The Official Comfort Counselor. 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.

Carl Dad
Vocal Range: G3 - D5

Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.

Dan Dad
Vocal Range: G3 - D5

The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.

Jesus Christ

Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.

Leaf's Mom, Dad, And Siblings

All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.

Olive's Dad
Vocal Range: E4 - B5

A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.

Olive's Mom
Vocal Range: D4 - E

A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.