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LCA Company proudly announces non-equity open call auditions for their upcoming production of THE 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything. The auditions will be at LCA Performing Arts Studio, 901 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL, 33161.
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny, and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
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.
Audition candidates should be strong singers and dancers. Roles may be double-cast.
The first round of auditions will be singing and reading.
VOCAL AND READING CALL: February 16, 2022, from 2 pm - 8 pm.
Send an email to casting@lcapa.com to get an audition spot. Let us know the best time and we will try to accommodate it. Walk-ins are welcome too!
Please bring a non-returnable headshot and resume at the time of the audition.
Auditioners will also be asked to read from the script.
Please take a look at the Character Breakdown about the song that you should sing for the audition, depending on the role that you are auditioning for.
DROPBOX to get the tracks for the audition: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/q8l6tyyh6oggggjks7cs5/h?dl=0&rlkey=fw5rc69pciw18a56jgxji9q7i
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time and check-in. Actors will sign in, receive a name tag, and present their resumes and headshots.
You might be contacted for a second round of auditions by 12pm on Tuesday, February 28th, if the director needs to have you come back.
DANCE CALL: March 3rd, 2023 at 2pm
Please come prepared to dance on the night you audition and in proper dance shoes. You will learn a combo from the show.
The cast list will be posted online after all cast members are confirmed by phone or email, and anyone who attends auditions will receive an email regarding casting whether cast or not.
Performers must be vaccinated.
Actors not available to audition in person are encouraged to submit a video audition to casting@lcapa.com.
Rehearsals schedule:
March 31st (Friday): 4 pm - 8 pm
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6, 13, and 20 (Saturdays): 1 PM - 8 PM
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and May 7, 14, and 21 (Sundays): 2 PM - 8 PM
Tech: May 22 TBD
Dress Rehearsal: May 23 and 24 TBD
Performances May 25 and 26 (7 PM), 27 (2 PM and 7 PM)
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Character Breakdown
Chip Tolentino 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.
Age: 13 - 19 years old
Range: C4 – B5
Song for audition: My Unfortunate Distraction
Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) Logainne 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.
Age: 12 - 19 years old
Range A3 – F5
Song for audition: Woe is me
Leaf Coneybear 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.
Age: 13 - 19 years old
Range A3 – A5
Song for audition: I am not that Smart
William Barfee 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.
Age: 13 - 19 years old
Range E4 – B5
Song for audition: Magic Foot
Marcy Park 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.
Age: 12 - 19 years old
Range C4 – E5
Song for Audition: I Speak Six Languages
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 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.
Age: 12 - 19 years old
Range: B3 - F5
Song for audition: My Friend the Dictionary
Rona Lisa Peretti 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.
Age: 18+
Range: B3 - F5
Song for audition: My Favorite Moment of the Bee
Douglas Panch 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. 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 affection.
Age: 18+
Range: NA
No singing audition.
Mitch Mahoney 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.
Age: 18+
Range: E4 - A5
Song for audition: Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
Carl Dad Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers.
Age: 30+
Range: G3 - D5
Song for Audition: Woe is Me
Dan Dad the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers.
Age: 30+
Range: G3 - D5
Song for audition: Woe is Me
Jesus Christ Deity invoked by a speller in need.
Age: 18+
Leaf's Mom, Leaf’s Dad and Leaf’s Siblings
All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success.
Olive's Dad A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work.
Age: 30+
Range: E4 - B5
Song for audition: The I Love you Song
Olive's Mom A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India.
Age: 30+
Range: D4 - E5’
Song for audition: The I Love you Song