AUDITIONS: Dept. of Theater Fall 2024 Musical

ACTOR AUDITIONS! ACTOR AUDITIONS!

NHCC Department of Theater Fall Musical 2024

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Music & Lyrics by William Finn  |  Book by Rachel Sheinkin 

You are invited to audition; we're looking for your talents! 

All students (including PSEO) — no matter your major — are eligible to audition & be in the show (i.e., you don’t need to be a theater major to participate!). EVERYONE can audition. 

Audition Dates & Times: 

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 4:30 - 6:30PM
• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 4:30 - 6:30PM
• Thursday, Sept. 5, 5:00 - 7:00PM
• Friday, Sept. 6, 2:30 - 4:30PM
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 12:30 – 2:30PM

You should select a date above that works with your schedule. You can show up any time within the two hour blocks of time noted above. (Auditions are not 2 hours long - this is simply the "open" hours available for auditions.) You will be in the audition process for about 1 hour, starting from the time you arrive.

• Auditions are held in a "drop-in" style: it's not necessary to sign up for a time! Pick the time and date you’d like from the list above. You can show up any time within the two hour blocks of time noted above. 
• We can also arrange a scheduled audition time for you.
  • You can arrange a specific date & time for your audition, if you prefer. 
  • Arranged appointment times are only available on the dates/times listed above. With a set appointment, your time will be guaranteed. Email to make an appointment: irma.mayorga@nhcc.edu 
• Plan ahead! Even if you “drop-in,” you should come prepared with a song to sing.
• Plan ahead! Even if you “drop-in,” please wear CLOTHING that allows for MOVEMENT! Jeans and skirts are NOT encouraged. Any type of athletic wear or workout wear is most appropriate. 

After our first week of auditions (dates above), we will hold callbacks for the audition process. A "callback" is a second audition moment where we need to see you again!. 

Callbacks will take place on Monday, Sept. 9, 6 – 9PM! If you audition, and we ask you to attend callbacks, we will absolutely need to see you from 6 – 9PM on 9/9 for at least 1 – 2 hours! You will sing & act with other potential actors in a group.

About The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee / Story

“Irresistible, riotously funny, and remarkably ingenious” — The New York Times

Laugh-out-loud funny and endearing, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed its way into Broadway history as a modern classic. 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centers on a fictional Spelling Bee contest held for middle-schoolers in the gym of Putnam Valley Middle School. The story follows an eclectic group of six quirky early-teen students (all played by adult actors) as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. 

While candidly disclosing hilarious, revealing, and touching stories about their homes & young lives, the 11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds spell their way, round by round, through a series of words (potentially some of which are made-up), 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 a cut-throat county Spelling Bee run by three equally quirky grown-ups! The ride to find the first place, champion speller is WILD, complete with audience participation in the competition/show. 

At least the losers get a juice box...but the winner gets a trip to Nationals in Washington, D.C.! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful gem of musical comedy genius. 

Winner of the 2005 Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for “Best Book,” this musical has charmed audiences with its wit, warmth, and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny, and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a fresh, vibrant score by William Finn. The 2005 Broadway premiere of this musical was nominated for six Tony Awards!

Ensemble Musical

We seek an ensemble of 9 actors for this production. This show is the epitome of an “ensemble cast!” Everybody counts; each younger and older character basically has an equal sized role in the show and each character has key moments to shine (including at least one feature song). All roles require singing abilities. However, the actor playing Vice Principal Panch does not need as strong of a voice.

About gender/race and casting for this musical: 

In the script for this musical, the show’s authors do not indicate or request or prescribe a specific racial or ethnic identity for any of the show’s characters. Our casting is open to all casting possibilities in terms of racial/ethnic identity. All roles for this musical can be cast with actors from any and all racial or ethnic identities. 

However, the show’s authors are specific about the gender identities for each character, and this production will follow the gender identities authors have prescribed in the script. 

Roles will be filled by the best actor who has auditioned as determined by this production’s director and music director. The strongest considerations at hand for casting are: vocal ability, acting ability, movement ability, and general availability of an actor in terms of personal schedule.

You should audition for the roles you are attracted to, but please select roles that best reflect your talents and your natural vocal range. Just because you might want a particular role doesn't mean you are suited for it; you want to give yourself the strongest audition opportunity possible! 

• The NHCC Department of Theater does not discriminate against persons auditioning on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, creed, or ability.
• We strongly encourage and invite all NHCC students of all ages, abilities, and gender/racial/ethnic identities to audition. There are roles in this musical for all identities.

INFORMATION: Rehearsal Dates

Rehearsals for a play or musical are super, super, SUPER FUN! But there are many, many rehearsals that actors need to attend in order to prepare a musical for performance.

For this production, there will be a schedule of BOTH individual rehearsals with our Music Director for sharpening your singing & also large group rehearsals for staging the musical.

• Rehearsals will begin on September 13 and continue to the dates of performances (Nov. 13, 14, 15, 16)
• We will rehearse about 4 days a week, 3 hours per day. BUT you may not be required to attend all 4 days each week (especially during the first month of rehearsal, Sept - mid October).
• From Sept. to Oct., you will also be scheduled for individual 1 hour singing rehearsals on one of these 4 days.
• The rehearsal schedule is a collaboration with cast members: we pay attention to your class and/or work schedule to create the rehearsal schedule. We do our very best to help take care of you. But, we cannot work around every cast member's packed personal schedule.
• We make use of mostly evenings for rehearsal meeting times. We will make use of Friday evenings & Saturday afternoons because folks tend to be free at these times. 
• If you audition for this musical, it is an expectation that you have adequate time in your college and personal schedule to attend ALL requested rehearsals to develop this production.
• If you audition for this musical, it is an expectation that you will arrive 10 minutes before each scheduled rehearsal in order to be present at the start time of rehearsal meetings.

Please don't be put off by the needs of our rehearsal schedule, timing tends to work itself out: anything well-made takes time! And remember: rehearsals are fun because the focus is on YOU!

• You can register to take this experience of acting/singing in the musical for 1 – 3 course credits. 
• We also seek technical / backstage crew personnel for this production! You can register to take this experience of working in a technical role for the musical for 1 – 3 course credits. 

Information: Performance Dates

This show will be performed on:

• Wednesday, November 13 @ 7:00PM
• Thursday, November 14 @ 7:00PM
• Friday, November 15 @ 7:00PM
• Saturday, November 16 @ 2:00PM (matinee) AND 7:00PM (evening)

Five Performances Total. The week before performances, Nov. 6 - 12, is most especially a busy time for all actors.

Audition Location: FAC 178 – NHCC Main Theater

Auditions will take place in FAC 178 which is the NHCC Main Theater. Auditions will have a check-in table located in the lobby area of the theater, which is directly across from FAC 119 & 120.

What Will Happen at the Audition?

Please plan on about 1 hour of time for your audition. Please don’t schedule an activity immediately after your planned audition time as you don’t want you to feel rushed.

We need you to fill out a form that asks about information for you:

• Your course schedule
• Your work schedule (if applicable)
• Your contact information
• Any skills or talents you have​
• You are also welcome to bring an acting resume for your audition if you have one available (optional, not required)
• Please download this tip sheet for auditions!

There will be a table for check-in in the lobby of the FAC, immediately outside the Main Theater and across from FAC rooms 119 & 120.

• We will audition actors one at a time in the Main Theater. 
• The people present in the room to observe your audition will be the show's director & music director. 
• This show is a musical! We will need to hear you sing, and we need to see you act and move. So, we'll ask you to sing and show us your acting skills (see more info below).​

What Do I Need to Prepare for My Audition? 

This show is a musical! We need to hear you sing, and we'll want to see you act. 

• Please download this tip sheet for auditions!
• Ideally, please prepare 1 - 2 minutes of a song to sing aloud in your audition. Any song of your choice that shows your vocal skills is acceptable. Sing something that can let your voice shine!
  • You can sing a cappella ("a cappella" = just your voice by itself, no instruments) 
  • Or, you can sing with a music track that plays on your phone (like karaoke)
  • Or, you could bring a Bluetooth speaker to play a backing track from your phone for you to sing with
  • And, we'll have a Bluetooth speaker in the room that you could connect to your phone to play a backing track on.
  • We will also have a keyboard in the room that you could play if you prefer to accompany yourself on the piano.
  • You can also accompany yourself on any instrument that you want to bring to auditions (guitar or uke, for example). 
• If you don't prepare a song . . . we'll ask you to sing a familiar children's song for us which we will provide on-site.
• If you would like to prepare a 1 - 2 minute spoken monologue, we'd appreciate that!
• But, you don't have to prepare a monologue (we realize you are busy).
  • Instead, we will ask you to read aloud dialogue from a script we provide - because we need to see your acting skills.

Do I Need to Sign-up for a time for my Audition?

You do not need to sign-up in advance for a time slot. Auditions are held on a "drop-in" basis. We will see people as they arrive - in order of their arrival. We hold "drop-in" auditions to help out with busy schedules. 

We are holding auditions on Friday (Sept. 6) and Saturday (Sept. 7), these might be better days to think about for your audition as you may have more open time on these days.

We can also arrange a scheduled audition time for you. Please email with a request.

More Questions? No problem - send an email, and we'll help you find answers. All Qs welcome.

This production will be directed by Dr. Mayorga (NHCC Theatre Faculty). This production will be Music Directed by Martinao Mayotte (Guest Artist)

Email Qs: irma.mayorga@nhcc.edu

Roles: 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

1. RONA LISA PERETTI (Female-identifying, adult)

Age: 35-45. This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county's top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative e-Bay business, selling sensible heels at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. She is a good-natured person who loves children, but she is very firm 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. Along with VP Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers. Vocal Range: B3-F5

2. DOUGLAS PANCH (Male-identifying, adult)

Age: 40-50. He’s the Vice Principal. Frustrated with events in his own life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. He was involved in an “incident” at the 20th Annual Spelling Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. After five years absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge, and he’s in “a better place,” thanks to a high-fiber diet and therapy. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.  VP Panch announces all the spelling words and guides the audience volunteers; he is funny and has many opportunities to ad-lib. While VP Panch does not need to be a very strong singer, he is a very, very important role in the show. He participates in the dance numbers.

3. CHIP TOLENTINO (Male-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #21. Last Year's champion of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Chip returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. He is strong willed, competitive and ambitious. An athletic, social, boy scout, he returns to defend his title. Vocal Range: C3-B4

4. LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNIERRE (SCHWARTZY) (Female-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #1. Logainne (pronounced “Logan”) is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views.  She has two overbearing gay dads who make her anxious, self-conscious, and slightly fearful – although, she has a real confidence about her at times. She speaks with a slight lisp. Vocal Range: A3-F5

5. LEAF CONEYBEAR (Male-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #17. As just the second runner-up in his district's bee, Leaf really shouldn't be competing here.  He finds everything about the spelling bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He makes his own clothes and somewhat lacks the social skills others his age have acquired. He’s eccentric but very sweet, loving and kindhearted. . .and distracted. He has severe ADHD and just when you think he won’t know the right spelling for a word, he spells words correctly after falling into a sort of “trance” state. Vocal Range: A2-A4

6. WILLIAM BARFÉE (Male-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #13. A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. He has no interest in making friends at the spelling bee and is aloof to his peers. 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: E2-B4  

7. MARCY PARK (Female-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #7. Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the spelling bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. 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 does not recognize her own lack of humor or stern demeanor. She is incredibly intense. She attends a Catholic school called "Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows." She is also not allowed to cry. Vocal Range: C4-E5

8. OLIVE OSTROVSKY (Female-identifying, early teen, adolescent)

Speller #11. A young newcomer to competitive spelling.  The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the spelling bee by her parents: her mom is living in an ashram in India, and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he'll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary.  She starts the Spelling Bee as an enormously shy person and, as the show progresses, she blossoms. Vocal Range: B3-F5

9. MITCH MAHONEY (Male-identifying, adult) This role may possibly be cast as female-identifying to be “Meg” Mahoney depending on auditions.

Age: 30-40. The Official “Comfort Counselor” of the Spelling Bee. Formerly imprisoned, he is fulfilling his court ordered community service at the Spelling Bee and helping as the bee’s official “comfort counselor” to the contestants. The comfort counselor consoles each participant that is knocked out the competition by handing our juice boxes and a dose of reality. He comes across as tough on the exterior but is really a big softy deep down. He has no idea how to offer comfort but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. 

MANY ACTORS DOUBLE OUT AS SPECIAL CHARACTERS IN ADDITION TO THEIR PRIMARY ROLES

• “CARL DAD” OF SCHWARZY (Performed by “LEAF CONEYBEAR”) 

Age: 40s. Schwarzy's main spelling trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. The actor steps out of their primary character to portray this role.

• “DAN DAD” OF SCHWARZY (Usually performed by “MITCH MAHONEY”)

Age: 40s. The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. The actor steps out of their primary character to portray this role.

• JESUS CHRIST (Usually performed by “CHIP TOLENTINO”) 

Christian deity invoked by a speller in need...who comes to the Spelling Bee to try and help.

• LEAF'S MOM, DAD, and SIBLINGS (Performed by all the teen spelling competitors)

All more academically gifted than Leaf, his family is even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script. The actors step out of their primary characters to portray these roles for one song/sketch.

• OLIVE’S DAD  (Usually performed by “MITCH MAHONEY”) 

Age: 40s. A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the Spelling Bee from work. The actor steps out of their primary character to portray this role.

• ​OLIVE’S MOM (Usually performed by “RONA”)

A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. The actor steps out of their primary character to portray this role.

Email for all Qs: irma.mayorga@nhcc.edu