You are invited to audition for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!
Where: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3022 Woodlawn Ave, Falls Church VA 22042
(Please park in the lot adjacent to the Church on April 5)
When: Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30pm
Callbacks: Saturday, April 8 at 11:00am (by invitation).
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please prepare two songs of differing styles, 16 bars each. Sheet music is preferable to a recorded track but we will have the ability to play them if necessary. You should also come prepared to move.
Be sure to look at the Characters list on the MCP website for needed vocal ranges and descriptions.
Because some of the "speller" roles double as adults (and the more adult nature of the show), the minimum audition age is 18.
Character Descriptions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Spellers:
Chip Tolentino (C3-B4, Tenor)
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 Schwartzandgrunenierre (Schwartzy) (C4-D5, Soprano)
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 (A2-G4, Bari-Tenor)
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 (Eb3 – Bb4, Tenor)
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 (B3-E5, Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano)
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.
Olive Ostrovsky (B3-F#5, Soprano/Strong Belter)
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.
Adults:
Rona Lisa Peretti (C#4-Ab5, Strong Soprano)
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 (Non-Singing Role, Dry Actor with Good Improv, sense of rhythm)
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 (E3-A4(B4), Strong Tenor)
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.
Doubled Roles:
Carl Dad
Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
Dan Dad
The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Jesus Christ
Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.
Leaf's Mom, Dad, and Siblings
All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
Olive's Mom and Dad
A fantasy version of Olive's parents: Dad coming to the bee from work, Mom at an ashram in India. Normally played by the actors playing Mitch and Rona
You need to attend just one audition date; you will be notified if you are being called back.
IMPORTANT: Please bring your calendar with you to the audition, as you will be asked to inform us of any and all conflicts you may have between the start of rehearsals through the end of the run. It is extremely important that you be absolutely honest about your conflicts as it is very difficult to schedule rehearsals for a large cast unless all conflicts are known in advance. A conflict will not necessarily preclude you from being cast, as the director will work around actors as much as possible. We are looking for the very best people and can be flexible to a certain extent on this.
REHEARSALS: will be held 3-4 nights per week and Saturday or Sunday, depending on actors' availability.
We suggest that you download the Audition Form and complete it before arriving at the audition, but forms will be available there too.
Just show up. No appointment needed.
Please attend ONE audition session only
Callbacks by invitation.
Rehearsals start immediately.
Please bring a current resume and headshot with you, if you have one, to be used by MCP on your audition form. If you do not have a headshot, we will take a picture.
PERFORMANCE DATES: Weekends July 14-30, 2017
McLean Community Players is an all-volunteer organization. There is no pay for performers.
MCP is an excellent group to audition for. All parts for every show are open. None are ever pre-cast. You need not be a member of MCP and do not need to apply or pay to audition.
McLean Community Players, PO Box 160, McLean, VA 22101
