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The Farmington Players Presents: Audition Notice
The Farmington Players Presents: Audition Notice
Six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything!
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to
escape childhood themselves) 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 to never hear the soul- crushing, pout-
inducing, life-unaffirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one
speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Director: Amy Lauter Music Director: Dianne Cragg Producer: Bonnie Fitch
Asst. Director/Stage Manager: Keshia Daisy Oliver Choreographer: Allison Boufford
Individuals cast in the production are required to become members of the Farmington Players.
For further information on becoming a member of the Farmington Players, please visit our
website @ www.FarmingtonPlayers.org. Questions related to Spelling Bee can be emailed to
SpellingBee@farmingtonplayers.org.
Available Roles Listed Below. Additional details about each role are further in the notice.
The Grown-Ups
Mitch Mahoney : Adults only – 20+
Vice Principal Douglas Panch : Adults only – 30-60 range
Rona Lisa Peretti : Adults only – 30-60 range
The Spellers
William Morris Barfée : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Olive Ostrovsky : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Leaf Coneybear : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Marcy Park : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Logaine "Schwarzy" SchwartzandGrubenniere : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
Charlito "Chip" Tolentino : Main Cast – ages 16+; Youth Cast ages 12-16
As listed above, we will have a secondary cast of youth performers as the six spellers, giving
them a chance to inspire and be inspired by the main (adult) speller cast. We look forward to
having the adults act as mentors while also gaining insight and energy from their youth
counterparts! Those playing "grown-ups" in the show (Rona Lisa Peretti, Vice Principal Douglas
Panch, Mitch Mahoney) will remain the same for all performances, and must be comfortable
working with both casts.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" contains some adult themes and language,
some of which will be altered for youth performances.
Note: This show also involves audience participation, inviting non-cast members on stage as
spellers! F-U-N!
Rehearsals will generally be 3 nights per week with some Saturday and Sunday rehearsals. We
will work out a firm rehearsal schedule once we have a final cast and understand their conflicts.
Please be prepared to list ALL conflicts on your audition form, as we will use this to make the
final schedule.
MANDATORY DATES:
All performance dates as listed above.
Hold November 23, 24, 25, (off Thanksgiving).
Hold November 27, 28, 29, 30, December 1, 2, 3
Because this show falls with final rehearsal times running during/after Thanksgiving we have not
yet set the final tech schedule. If auditioning please know you will be asked to rehearse this
week/weekend and don’t make any out of town plans.
Audition Process:
Singing
You will be asked to sing a short excerpt from one of the songs from Spelling Bee. You may
choose from any of the excerpts listed at the end of this notice. If you are interested in playing
one particular character, however, please sing the excerpt listed for that character. Please note
that you will be singing with provided piano accompaniment. You will not be permitted to sing
acapella. Because this is an incredibly challenging score, requiring strong singers, your singing
audition is the most important aspect of the audition (except for Panch).
Dancing
Our choreographer, Allison Boufford, will teach a short dance combination, allowing some time
to practice before auditioning in small dance groups. While not a heavy dancing show, we are
looking for actors who can embody their character in their movements. We may also do some
improvisational activities as well.
Reading
We will ask you to read one of the four short monologues from the show. These monologues are
provided at the end of this notice, and will also be available each night of auditions, although we
do ask for you to be as prepared as possible. You may also prepare a piece similar in nature to
the ones provided. Those auditioning for Vice Principal Panch may be asked to improvise.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
This is the epitome of the ensemble show. Each actor has an important and sizable role, having
key moments to shine, including at least one song. All actors must be able to sing and
harmonize, though the actor playing Panch does not need a strong voice.
THE SPELLERS
THE GROWN-UPS
Vice Principal Douglas Panch - Non-singing (but can be added to ensemble numbers if actor
can sing).
He was involved in an "incident" at the 20th Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging
panel. He returns this year in "a better place," thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis.
He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti. We are looking for a strong character actor with
impeccable comedic timing and the ability to improv. While he does not need to sing, he is a key
role and keeps the pace moving throughout the show.
Rona Lisa Peretti - C4 - A5 Soprano
This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county's top realtor, she also runs a highly
lucrative eBay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the
spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. Should appear to be in her mid-30's -
mid-50's and have both a high belt and improv skills. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy
of the show and the audience volunteers. Rona also portrays Olive's mom.
William Barfee
Magic Foot
Beginning - Measure 33 ("It's an alpha-better way to spell")
Olive Ostrovsky
The I Love You Song
Measure 108 ("When are you returning") - Measure 138 ("Wish you were home")
Leaf Coneybear
I'm Not That Smart
Measure 50 ("I might be smart") - End
Marcy Park
I Speak Six Languages
Measure 18 ("To excel in athletics") - Measure 52 ("Though I play Mozart more")
Logaine Schwartzandgrubenierre
Woe is Me
Measure 18 ("I hope you can love, America") - Measure 63 ("why I gotta win this spelling bee")
Chip Tolentino
Chip's Lament/My Unfortunate Erection
Measure 45 ("My unfortunate protuberance") - Measure 84 ("Is ruining my life")
Mitch Mahoney
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
Beginning - Measure 27 ("Spell with patience and care")
(Please select one and read as the character you prefer - even if the monologue is not
necessarily from that role. You may also prepare a similar piece not listed if you prefer)
You can't comfort these damn kids. They don't yet know that the good don't always win, so
there's nothing you can say to cheer them up when they lose. I want to tell them disappointment
doesn't last - but from what I've seen, words can get you killed. I just want to beat them up a
little, so they understand that pain has degrees, and this is nothing - this is nothing, you little
freaks. But that would violate my parole. So I do what I can. I give them a hug and a juice box.
I'm here to give comfort.
This bee is as confusing as George Bush seeing Brokeback Mountain. Thursday night is movie
night in my house, and this past Thursday my dads and I went to go see a special screening of
Brokeback Mountain. My one dad said he couldn't see cowboys without thinking of George
Bush, and then my other dad said he couldn't see gay cowboys without thinking of Karl Rove
and George Bush. And then the man behind us said, "yes, and isn't it nice to see them screwing
each other for a change!" We laughed..
This bee is nose-diving faster than Star Jones' career!! Star Jones' "resignation" from The View
sent shockwaves through the Schwartzandgrubenierre household, until we realized my one dad
- Dan Dad I call him - would be a perfect replacement. They both lost a lot of weight doing
Pilates, they both have issues with Rosie O'Donnell, and they both married gay men! So
Barbara, consider this - my Dan Dad would be an asset to your show, and as my other Dad
says, he's more of a big black queen than Star Jones will ever be!!
This bee is about as shocking as Lance Bass coming out of the closet! Former N'Sync member
Lance Bass literally rocked the nation earlier a few years ago when he proudly came out of the
closet - though as my dads pointed out, the highlighted hair tips have always been a little bit of a
dead giveaway. Anyway, I applaud Lance for taking a stand and essentially bein' the anti-Bush
poster boy - he's openly gay, he's dating someone with a very foreign name and he wrote the
song that I want to sing to President Bush when he finally leaves office - I wanna see you out
that door - baby, bye bye bye!!!