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Theatre Southwest is holding auditions for its upcoming production of THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.Auditions will be held Saturday Oct. 31 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 1 and Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Theatre Southwest, 3939 Hillcroft St. Suite 160, Houston, TX 77057.
AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!!!!
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DACAE2DAAF4CE9-66345181-musical
Performances
Season 70 New Year's Eve Gala (opening night) on Dec. 31
Adult Performance - Saturday, Jan. 16th at 11 p.m. (Double Show Day)
January 2 - 23, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sunday Matinees January 3 & 10 at 3 p.m.
Rehearsal schedule will be Sunday - Thursday evenings
Though the play can be considered PG-13 with language and themes, be advised there will also be a single late-night “adult version” performance of the show for mature audiences only; this one-night-only addition to the run will be rife with R-rated adult language and situations (think Rocky Horror level), something auditioners must agree to in order to be considered for casting.
SPELLING BEE is a fast-paced comedic musical about six awkward tweens competing for a regional spelling championship, with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman. This production is directed by Sean K. Thompson, music directed by Jen Rathbun, assistant directed and stage managed by Ashley Peters Trejo, and choreographed by Elizabeth Ashley Walker.
Six eccentric middle-schoolers – along with a handful of randomly selected audience volunteers – spell difficult words while sharing hilarious and touching flashbacks about their pressures, families, and growing pains. The competition is run by equally quirky grownups, including a former spelling champion host, a stressed vice principal, and a comfort counselor who hands out juice boxes to the losers. The original Broadway production won two Tony Awards in 2005, including Best Book. This production will incorporate a live onstage band.
Audition Requirements
Sign up for an audition slot. Auditions will be held in 20-minute slots with 4 or 5 auditioners per group. Walk-in auditioners are not guaranteed a slot.
Please bring a headshot and résumé to your audition. Be prepared to list all relevant conflicts with the production schedule calendar.
Have a 1-minute prepared comedic or dramatic monologue from any play; if you're auditioning for one of the “children’s” roles, be prepared to deliver the monologue as if you were a 12-year-old child (yes, we’re serious). There will be NO cold readings from the script.
Prepare to sing 32 measures (1 minute) of any song that showcases your vocal strength and range. Auditioners are encouraged to sing a section of one of the songs from the SPELLING BEE musical, especially one that matches the character they’re auditioning for. The song may be sung a cappella or with a backing track. If auditioning with a SPELLING BEE musical number, a playlist of vocal tracks and backing tracks can be accessed at https://bit.ly/4ABrWjp (copy & paste into browser)
All auditioners using a non-SPELLING BEE backing track MUST email the file or link to [email protected] by Oct. 30 at the latest.
All auditioners using a backing track (BEE or otherwise) must email the start and stop times of the sound file.
Prepare to learn and duplicate a basic dance routine; please wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
In exceptional cases, video auditions might be considered for those who can’t attend in person; however, “live” auditions greatly increase an auditioner’s chance at being cast.
Email the Stage Manager, Ashley, at [email protected] to request sending in a video audition
Character Breakdown
The cast consists of “the kids” and “the adults.” The “kids” are to be played by adults of any age; costumes and characterization skills will “sell” the young ages of the characters to the audience. All characters are flawed, particularly the “kids” who are constantly on the edge of cracking under the pressure they are under to succeed. All roles are open to all ethnicities. All listed genders are presenting; however, while the character Logainne is traditionally played as a female character, we are open to gender non-conforming, or non-binary actors for the role.
THE KIDS
Chip Tolentino – (M) An athletic, social, Cub scout and champion of the 24th Annual Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: C3
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy) – (F or NB) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller. 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 and speaks with a lisp. Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range bottom: G3
Leaf Coneybear – (M) 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. Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: A2
William Barfee – (M) 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. Vocal range top: Bb4, Vocal range bottom: C3
Marcy Park – (F) The ultimate overachiever, Marcy comes from a family where excellence is expected. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts auditioners can bring to the table. Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: A3
Olive Ostrovsky – (F) A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual. 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. Vocal range top: F#5, Vocal range bottom: A3
THE ADULTS
Rona Lisa Peretti – (F) 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. Might also be doubled with Olive’s Mom. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: C4
Douglas Panch – (M) 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. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections. This is a major but non-singing role, and the actor cast MUST have considerable skills in improv comedy.
Mitch Mahoney – (M or F) The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his/her community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He/she has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find him/herself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. Might be doubled with Olive’s Dad. Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: E3
Olive’s Dad – (M) A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Might be played by the actor playing Mitch or Chip. Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: E3
Olive’s Mom – (F) A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: D4
Carl Dad – (M) Schwarzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers. Might be played by the actor playing Leaf. Doubled extra role, non-singing.
Dan Dad – (M) The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers. Might be played by the actor playing Mitch or Chip. Extra role, non-singing.
Jesus Christ – (M) Deity invoked by a speller in need. Might be played by the actor playing Chip. Doubled extra role - non-singing.
Please direct any pre-audition questions to [email protected]
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Event venue
3939 Hillcroft St Suite 160, Houston, TX, United States, Texas 77057, 3939 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77057-7721, United States, Bellaire
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