Auditions
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METRO STAGE COMPANY
Seeking Organization: Metro Stage Company
Production Title: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Sought: Metro Stage Company is seeking a diverse cast of 5 men and 4 women for its June 2010
production of the Tony Award winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. For
more info please visit: www.metrostagecompany.com.
Audition Dates: Auditions - Mon, March 1, 2010 & Tues, March 2, 2010
Callbacks - Wed, March 3, 2010
Audition Times: 7pm - 10pm; By Appointment Only
Audition Location: Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre, 820 Mass Ave, Central Sq., Cambridge, MA
Aud Requirements: Headshot & Resume; 1 Ballad &1 Uptempo in the Style of the Show
Rehearsal Start Date: Mid-April
Production Start Date: June 4, 2010
Production End Date: June 12, 2010
Pay/Pay Range: All Actors Receive a Small Stipend
Audition Contact Name: Chris Teague, Executive Producer
Contact Phone: 617-524-5013
Contact Email: auditions@metrostagecompany.com
Other Information: Please bring a headshot & resume to the auditions.
Callbacks will be held Wed, March 3, 2010.
All performers including those of color, seniors, women and performers with disabilities are
encouraged to audition and will be given full consideration.
Casting Breakdown:
THE SPELLERS (Roles are played by Adults)
CHIP TOLENTINO / JESUS / LEAF’S SIBLING - Tenor
The reigning spelling champion of Putnam County, relatively athletic and social, he expects things to
come easily to him. Lately though, he’s been going through some weird changes, and things are
slipping out of his control. (Be aware his solo requires him to sing high for long periods of time.)
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENNIERE / LEAF’S MOM - Soprano
Younger than most bee participants, she is driven by internal and external pressures- but above all
by a desire to win to make her two fathers (from whom she takes her combined last name) proud.
She lisps, is a little uncomfortable in her body, has some tics, but still manages to strike a strong
presence with her political awareness and keen sense of justice. Having drilled words for hours a
day, she is aware of everything that passes in the room.
LEAF CONEYBEAR / CARL GRUBENNIERE – Baritone/Tenor
A second alternate, he never expected to compete. Home-schooled with his many siblings,
everything about this public bee is an adventure for him, from meeting the other kids to showing off
his homemade clothing, to each moment of unexpected attention. He may have severe Attention
Deficit Disorder but delights in his own wandering focus. Leaf doesn’t expect to win-or even to spell
one word correctly-but he finds absolutely everything incredibly amusing. His mother has made him
wear his protective helmet to the bee.
WILLIAM BARFEE / LEAF’S SIBLING - Tenor
Has a host of health problems and a lot to prove. Loud and combative as a defensive posture, he is
the fat kid who becomes a bully to avoid being picked on (though he often gets picked on anyway
so gets into a lot of fights). His parents are divorced, his father remarried to a much younger woman;
and William does not expect kindness from anyone but his mother. So friendship takes him by
surprise. Still, he’s noticed on the spelling circuit for his remarkable technique – spelling words out
on the floor with his foot. Taken out of competition last year because of an ill-timed allergic reaction,
he’s here for vindication. The journey he doesn’t expect is one of coming to care about someone
else-when he sees outside his own needs for perhaps the first time, it shakes him fundamentally.
MARCY PARK / LEAF’S SIBLING – Mezzo/Soprano
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from 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, baton twirling, and/ or whatever
special talents an actor may have.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY / LEAF’S SIBLING - Soprano
A word lover, Olive has a fairly quiet life. An only child with often-absent parents, Olive spends a lot
of her time alone. She fills some of that time reading the dictionary-the words bring her comfort, as
does the idea of the vastness of the world the book contains. During the first half of the bee, she
often peers into the audience to see if her father, who is delayed at work, has made it yet. She
starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
THE ADULTS
RONA LISA PERRETTI /OLIVE’S MOM - Soprano
Putnam’s long-time spelling bee hostess, a local realtor, and 3rd annual Putman County spelling
champion. This is the Rona’s day to be queen. From her perspective she keeps the bee running
smoothly, upholds protocol, and conveys crucial information to the audience. Her interest in the
competition is unflagging and drives it forward. She thinks of this as a complex cerebral sporting
event, and she wants the audience to understand every twist and turn. If anything, in her life in
general, she has to minimize the importance of this event to her, embarrassed that her own
championship moment remains such a highlight. A little concerned when the substitute word
pronouncer arrives, she knows she has to step up her game to make the day a success. Comedic
improv is a large part of this role.
VICE PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS PANCH (Non Singing Role/Some Possible Ensemble Singing)
He is from Lake Hemingway Dos Passos Junior High and he is frustrated with his life. He fell into
education, less out of love than a general ability uncoupled to a particular passion. The drive of the
young spellers is alien to him. He never found anything that important. Stuck in his current job,
endlessly awaiting a promotion that isn’t coming, he was not happy to get the call this morning that
he was needed to substitute; but he starts the bee eager to do well, to redeem himself for past
mistakes, and to impress the local hostess, Rona Lisa, who impressed him long ago. Comedic
improv is a large part of this role.
MITCH MAHONEY/DAN SCHWARTZ/OLIVE’S DAD - Tenor
With a bouncer’s demeanor, Mitch appears and odd choice to be the bee’s “comfort counselor,” but
it’s part of his community service assignment. The outsider, who in a way gets to inhabit the
audience perspective, he wonders about the wisdom of putting the kids through this at all. He has
no idea how to offer comfort, but does increasingly find himself wishing he could find a way to make
the kids feel better about losing, and perhaps place misspelling in wider perspective.
Production Title: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Sought: Metro Stage Company is seeking a diverse cast of 5 men and 4 women for its June 2010
production of the Tony Award winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. For
more info please visit: www.metrostagecompany.com.
Audition Dates: Auditions - Mon, March 1, 2010 & Tues, March 2, 2010
Callbacks - Wed, March 3, 2010
Audition Times: 7pm - 10pm; By Appointment Only
Audition Location: Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre, 820 Mass Ave, Central Sq., Cambridge, MA
Aud Requirements: Headshot & Resume; 1 Ballad &1 Uptempo in the Style of the Show
Rehearsal Start Date: Mid-April
Production Start Date: June 4, 2010
Production End Date: June 12, 2010
Pay/Pay Range: All Actors Receive a Small Stipend
Audition Contact Name: Chris Teague, Executive Producer
Contact Phone: 617-524-5013
Contact Email: auditions@metrostagecompany.com
Other Information: Please bring a headshot & resume to the auditions.
Callbacks will be held Wed, March 3, 2010.
All performers including those of color, seniors, women and performers with disabilities are
encouraged to audition and will be given full consideration.
Casting Breakdown:
THE SPELLERS (Roles are played by Adults)
CHIP TOLENTINO / JESUS / LEAF’S SIBLING - Tenor
The reigning spelling champion of Putnam County, relatively athletic and social, he expects things to
come easily to him. Lately though, he’s been going through some weird changes, and things are
slipping out of his control. (Be aware his solo requires him to sing high for long periods of time.)
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENNIERE / LEAF’S MOM - Soprano
Younger than most bee participants, she is driven by internal and external pressures- but above all
by a desire to win to make her two fathers (from whom she takes her combined last name) proud.
She lisps, is a little uncomfortable in her body, has some tics, but still manages to strike a strong
presence with her political awareness and keen sense of justice. Having drilled words for hours a
day, she is aware of everything that passes in the room.
LEAF CONEYBEAR / CARL GRUBENNIERE – Baritone/Tenor
A second alternate, he never expected to compete. Home-schooled with his many siblings,
everything about this public bee is an adventure for him, from meeting the other kids to showing off
his homemade clothing, to each moment of unexpected attention. He may have severe Attention
Deficit Disorder but delights in his own wandering focus. Leaf doesn’t expect to win-or even to spell
one word correctly-but he finds absolutely everything incredibly amusing. His mother has made him
wear his protective helmet to the bee.
WILLIAM BARFEE / LEAF’S SIBLING - Tenor
Has a host of health problems and a lot to prove. Loud and combative as a defensive posture, he is
the fat kid who becomes a bully to avoid being picked on (though he often gets picked on anyway
so gets into a lot of fights). His parents are divorced, his father remarried to a much younger woman;
and William does not expect kindness from anyone but his mother. So friendship takes him by
surprise. Still, he’s noticed on the spelling circuit for his remarkable technique – spelling words out
on the floor with his foot. Taken out of competition last year because of an ill-timed allergic reaction,
he’s here for vindication. The journey he doesn’t expect is one of coming to care about someone
else-when he sees outside his own needs for perhaps the first time, it shakes him fundamentally.
MARCY PARK / LEAF’S SIBLING – Mezzo/Soprano
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from 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, baton twirling, and/ or whatever
special talents an actor may have.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY / LEAF’S SIBLING - Soprano
A word lover, Olive has a fairly quiet life. An only child with often-absent parents, Olive spends a lot
of her time alone. She fills some of that time reading the dictionary-the words bring her comfort, as
does the idea of the vastness of the world the book contains. During the first half of the bee, she
often peers into the audience to see if her father, who is delayed at work, has made it yet. She
starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.
THE ADULTS
RONA LISA PERRETTI /OLIVE’S MOM - Soprano
Putnam’s long-time spelling bee hostess, a local realtor, and 3rd annual Putman County spelling
champion. This is the Rona’s day to be queen. From her perspective she keeps the bee running
smoothly, upholds protocol, and conveys crucial information to the audience. Her interest in the
competition is unflagging and drives it forward. She thinks of this as a complex cerebral sporting
event, and she wants the audience to understand every twist and turn. If anything, in her life in
general, she has to minimize the importance of this event to her, embarrassed that her own
championship moment remains such a highlight. A little concerned when the substitute word
pronouncer arrives, she knows she has to step up her game to make the day a success. Comedic
improv is a large part of this role.
VICE PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS PANCH (Non Singing Role/Some Possible Ensemble Singing)
He is from Lake Hemingway Dos Passos Junior High and he is frustrated with his life. He fell into
education, less out of love than a general ability uncoupled to a particular passion. The drive of the
young spellers is alien to him. He never found anything that important. Stuck in his current job,
endlessly awaiting a promotion that isn’t coming, he was not happy to get the call this morning that
he was needed to substitute; but he starts the bee eager to do well, to redeem himself for past
mistakes, and to impress the local hostess, Rona Lisa, who impressed him long ago. Comedic
improv is a large part of this role.
MITCH MAHONEY/DAN SCHWARTZ/OLIVE’S DAD - Tenor
With a bouncer’s demeanor, Mitch appears and odd choice to be the bee’s “comfort counselor,” but
it’s part of his community service assignment. The outsider, who in a way gets to inhabit the
audience perspective, he wonders about the wisdom of putting the kids through this at all. He has
no idea how to offer comfort, but does increasingly find himself wishing he could find a way to make
the kids feel better about losing, and perhaps place misspelling in wider perspective.
| AUDITIONS FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE |
| PLEASE NOTICE AN ADDITIONAL DAY HAS BEEN ADDED FOR AUDITIONS AND CALLBACKS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO MARCH 3rd!!! |