Please be in the auditorium at 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 31st!
ONLY those called back may attend. The remaining casting will be announced after the entire cast list is complete. If you're not called back, you're still in the show...
Sayde, Gwennie, Lilah Logainne Schwartzandgrunenierre (schwartzy)/Mezzo-Soprano - “Woe Is Me” measures 18-39 & 44-66 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.
Hannah, Jada, Sarah, Zach Leaf Coneybear (Coneybear)/Tenor - “I’m Not That Smart” measures 4-45 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.
Brendan, Zach William Barfee (Barfee)/Tenor - “Magic Foot” measures 5-33 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.
Elizabeth, Jada, Kalea Olive Ostrovsky (Olive)/Mezzo-Soprano - “My Friend the Dictionary” measures 1-58 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.
David, Emily Panch, Vice Principal (Panch) - “The Rules” measures 1-20 spoken in accurate 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.
Caci, Emily, Jada Mitch Mahoney (Mitch)/Tenor - “Prayer of Comfort Counselor” measures 2-28 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.