Auditions

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The production team for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is committed to celebrating individuals’ talents and consciously creating equal and inclusive opportunities for performers. As such, performers of any and all races, nationalities, gender identities, sexual orientations, body types, religious affiliations, and performers with mental or physical disabilities are strongly encouraged to audition. If you are in need of special accommodations to support your audition and/or involvement in the production, please email Stage Manager Patty Carr at ptrish0601@gmail.com before your audition so we can arrange for those accommodations to be met.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Six spellers enter, but only one can win The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! This charmingly witty and touching musical has entertained audiences across the world since its Tony-winning Broadway debut in 2005. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced and funny D-E-L-I-G-H-T. As six wonderfully unique and impassioned contestants vie for the championship by spelling their way through vexing vocabulary, hilarious and poignant personal stories unfold…along with a dash of riotous audience participation. Declared by The New York Times as an “irresistible musical” that is “refreshingly handcrafted, effortlessly endearing, and riotously funny,” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee delivers an unforgettable experience that is sure to leave audiences spellbound.

AUDITION DATES / TIMES

Thursday, October 22, 2026 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Friday, October 23, 2026 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Principal Callbacks (by invitation only) Thursday, October 29, 2026 6pm – 9pm

All Auditions and Callbacks will take place in the Moyer Room of The Youngstown Playhouse (600 Playhouse Lane Youngstown, OH 44511). To navigate to the Moyer Room, enter the Youngstown Playhouse from the Main Entrance and continue passed the stairs to the right and continue to the back of the building. The Moyer Room is right next to the Concession Stand.

REHEARSALS

Monday, November 23rd – First Rehearsal
       Rehearsals will be held Mondays-Thursdays from 6pm-9pm and Sundays 5pm-8pm. 
       *Full Cast will not be called at all rehearsals*
No Rehearsal will be held Thursday November 26th
No Rehearsals will be held Thursday December 24th – Saturday January 2nd 

Sunday, January 17th – First Technical Rehearsal (No conflicts permitted past this date)

PERFORMANCES

All performances take place at The Playhouse Downtown (220 W. Boardman St. Youngstown, OH)

Performances:
Friday January 22nd – 7:30pm
Saturday January 23rd  – 7:30pm
Sunday January 24th – 2:30pm
Friday January 29th – 7:30pm
Saturday January 30th – 7:30pm
Sunday January 31st – 2:30pm

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Director Connor Bezeredi is seeking a cast of nine character actor/singers ages 16 and up who are comfortable with improvisation and audience interaction. All skill levels welcome – no previous experience required. Performers should prepare 32 bars, or one minute, of a Musical Theatre song in the style of the show. Please do NOT sing a song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for your audition. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. Auditionees may be asked to read from the script at auditions. Please sign up for one audition slot via the link above.

Performers who are ONLY interested in the role of Douglas Panch, may prepare a one-two minute comedic monologue instead of a song.

Video auditions will be accepted. Please email Stage Manager Patty Carr at ptrish0601@gmail.com for submission instructions.

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. Also plays “Jesus Christ” C4 – B5. Hispanic/Latino

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. A3 – F5. Any Ethnicity

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. Also Plays “Carl Dad” A3 – A5. Any Ethnicity

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. E4 – B5. Any Ethnicity

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. C4 – E5. Asian American/Pacific Islander

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. B3 – F5. Any Ethnicity

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. Also plays “Olive’s Mom” B3 – F5. Any Ethnicity

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. Non- Singing Role. Any Ethnicity

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. Also Plays “Dan Dad” and “Olive’s Dad” E4 – A5. Black