Auditions
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EMERGING PROFESSIONALS ENSEMBLE
Emerging Professionals Ensemble (EPE) is accepting submissions for Summer 2025! Actors aged 16-24 are invited to submit for consideration for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.
Video audition submissions will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Friday, April 25th. Callbacks will be held both in-person and virtually on Monday, May 12th, at 6:00 pm. All auditioners will be contacted about their status by Tuesday, May 13th.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDITION:
Prepare a video audition performing one of the SPELLING BEE selections provided in this Google Folder. Choose the piece that best demonstrates your vocal and acting range.
You should perform using the provided track or other accompaniment - no a capella, please - and record in a space that is quiet & allows us to see you from the torso up.
To complete your audition, Follow these instructions:
Complete an Audition Intake Form here.
Upload your Audition Video to YouTube as unlisted, and then when prompted, share the link to your unlisted video in the form. Video submissions will be used for casting purposes only and will not be utilized or distributed for any other purpose.
Questions? Email rthompson@pimartshs.org for help.
MORE INFORMATION:
Rehearsals & performances take place at the Performing Institute of Minnesota at 7255 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie.
Performances: July 10 - 19, 7:30 pm
Rehearsals: Begin June 16 & run evenings Tuesday - Saturday; tech week Sunday/Monday rehearsal likely.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
In SPELLING BEE, 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.
Co-directed by Rachel Brady & Rob Thompson
Music Direction by Katie McKnight
Choreography by Dylan Peterson
MORE INFORMATION:
Rehearsals & performances take place at the Performing Institute of Minnesota at 7255 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie.
Performances: July 10 - 19, 7:30 pm
Rehearsals: Begin June 16 & run evenings Tuesday - Saturday; tech week Sunday/Monday rehearsal likely.
Character Descriptions
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.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (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.
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.
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
Marcy Park
The ultimate overachiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents' work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, and baton twirling.
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 out enormously shy and shyly blossoms.
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.
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 affections.
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.
