Upcoming Auditions

Foothill Music Theatre announces auditions for

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

 

Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Directed by Milissa Carey

Show Description

In this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud show, this bee is an unforgettable experience as an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents 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.  Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee features a wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn.  PLUS, at every performance, 4 guest spellers from the audience will be called up to jump in, spell it out, and compete in the Bee — you never know who will shine and who will stumble! Will you qualify?  A fun and funny ride, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced D-E-L-I-G-H-T.

The New York Times says “Can you spell irresistible?” and “entirely adorable new musical”

All roles are open.  We are casting actors 18yrs+ to create a diverse and inclusive group of spellers and adults.

To Audition:  Please include all information
1) Please submit headshot and resume to careymilissa@fhda.edu. 
2)  Please list ALL Role(s) auditioning for3)  Please list audition availability on the following days:

SEPT 17, 6-9pm; SEPT 18, 6-9pm; SEPT 20, (TBD)  11-3pm

Will you accept any role if cast?

All Roles will have understudies.  The understudies will play the secondary adults roles.  Please let us know if you would be interested in being considered for ensemble/understudy tracks.

Callbacks: SEPT 23 – SEPT 28  by appointment.

Please prepare a song in the style of the show.  Be prepared to read from the script.  Please bring sheet music.  An accompanist will be provided. 

Some roles may be cast from initial auditions.

email your submissions to careymilissa@fhda.edu. 

Performance Dates:   FEB 27 – MAR 15, 2026, Lohman Theatre
Wednesday & Thursday 7:30; Friday & Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.  **13 total performances. 

Rehearsal Schedule:  Music rehearsals begin JAN 6th, 2026. Weekday evenings + Sat & Sun afternoons / Expanded Tech schedule

FMT actively supports equity, diversity and inclusion in all productions.  We are interested in looking at a diverse pool of actors for all roles and encourage all.

Spelling Bee Character Descriptions

All roles are open.  In this production of Spelling Bee, we are looking to create a world that represents a diverse group of spellers with adults playing the roles of the kids and adults.

Spellers - 18yrs+ to play preteens / Adults / Ens characters & Understudies

CHIP TOLENTINO:  tenor; The reigning spelling bee champion, returning to defend his title. A boy scout; he’s confident, athletic, charming and outgoing. He expects things to come easily to him. Puberty is now hitting at an inopportune time and the unexpected hormonal changes could hinder his chances at winning this year.

LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENNIERE: mezzo/alto belter; Female, The youngest of the spellers. A high-strung social justice warrior and political spitfire. She has a lisp, but doesn’t let it slow her down. Seemingly polite and put together at most times, she’s incredibly stressed because of internal pressure and the pressure her two fathers put on her. She is very smart and practices harder than anyone.

LEAF CONEYBEAR: tenor; No one is more excited to be in the Bee, he was a second alternate and was surprised to get the call to compete. Home schooled along with his many siblings in a hippie family, he has an active imagination, but an inferiority complex and Attention Deficit Disorder. To compensate, he is fascinated by everything, amused by everyone and goes into a trance-like state that surprisingly helps him spell hard words correctly. He doesn’t expect to win and is just happy to be accepted and included.

WILLIAM BARFEE:  character baritone;  A 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 that affects his speech and a touchy personality. Cocky but insecure, he is focused on winning and is not there to make friends. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee (there's an accent aigu, he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive during the second half of the show.

MARCY PARK; Asian-American; soprano/belter w mix; A recent transfer student who attends Catholic School, she is an overachiever, is good at everything and is expected to be. She speaks six languages, is a member of an all-American hockey team, 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 also not allowed to cry and can come across as dry and unfeeling.

OLIVE OSTROVSKY; Soprano/high mixed belt. A newcomer to the competition and single child to absentee parents, she loves words and spends most of her time daydreaming and alone reading her dictionary. There she finds peace and comfort. Polite and painfully shy, but sweet and positive. She’s thoughtful and very attentive to other spellers’ needs.

RONA LISA PERRETTI; 30s-40s; Mezzo soprano with strong mix belt. Putnam County’s number one realtor and longtime spelling bee host. A former Spelling Bee champion, it was a highlight of her life and she loves to reminisce about it. Well liked and respected, she is sweet and proud of her accomplishments and her love for the competition. Warm and friendly, but can be stern and no-nonsense when needed to maintain control over the proceedings. Adept with improvisation and audience interaction, as she acts as our guide in explaining the rules and expectations throughout the night.

VICE PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS PANCH; late 30s-50s, no solo singing. A beleaguered and frustrated Vice Principal, who is filling in as guest judge after a five-year absence due to an ‘incident’. Indefinitely awaiting his promotion to Principal, he doesn't really care about spelling or the Bee but enjoys the slight power trip as judge. Hoping to redeem himself from his previous mishap, but still has a curmudgeonly edge to him. He is infatuated with Rona, and takes the rules seriously in order to impress her. Provides the words, definitions and sentence for each speller. Adept with improvisation and audience interaction.

MITCH MAHONEY; African-American/BIPOC; Baritenor who can riff; Male, 30s-50s. The ‘comfort counselor’ at the Bee, who offers eliminated students a juice box and shoulder to cry on. A fitness-focused gym teacher by day, he is new to this sport and able to question its absurdities in a way those more deeply involved have lost sight of. He may initially appear out of place and rigid but is actually deeply caring. He surprises himself by coming to care about the kids under pressure, and discovers he does have something to offer as he teaches them to lose with dignity.

Secondary Roles & Understudies:

Mitch u/s & Olive Dad; Rona u/s & Olives Mom; Chip u/s & Jesus; Leaf u/s & Dan Dad; Carl Dad; Panch u/s; Marcy u/s; Logan u/s; Olive u/s; Barfee u/s

Foothill Music Theatre is a volunteer organization, not for pay, with a possible small travel stipend available.

For More Information:   Milissa Carey  /  careymilissa@fhda.edu