Act-1

Character Breakdown

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This show is the epitome of an "ensemble cast!" Each speller basically has an equally sized role and has a few key moments to shine (including at least one song). All actors must be able to sing, though the actor playing Panch does not need a strong voice.

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*A NOTE IN REGARDS TO GENDER/RACE: 

At ACT-1, we strive for “Identity-Conscious” Casting (as opposed to “Color-Blind” or “Gender-Neutral” Casting). It's about making space and embracing how actors and artists can bring their whole identities or even parts of their identities to a process/to a character. Casting is not blind to those parts, but it is not only color or gender that we’re conscious about. We can also be conscious about somebody’s rejection of gender as a construct, somebody’s queerness, somebody’s abilities, whether neurological or physical.

 

We strive to be inviting and welcoming, to actively and radically make space for all the different ways that actors exist in this world.

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You should audition for the roles you are attracted to, but please do choose roles that best reflect your talents and your natural vocal range. Just because you like a role doesn't mean you are suited for it, and you want to give yourself the strongest audition possible!

You can get some clues from the character descriptions and requirements below.​

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RONA LISA PERETTI (Female)

This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county's top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative e-Bay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. 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.

Vocal Range: B3-F5

Should have both a high belt and improv skills. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers. 

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DOUGLAS PANCH (Male)

The Vice Principal. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. He was involved in an "incident" at the Twentieth Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge, in "a better place,” thanks to a high-fiber diet and therapy. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections.  
We are looking for a strong character actor with impeccable comic timing and the ability to improv. While he does not need to sing, he is the most important role in the entire show. 

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CHIP TOLENTINO (Male)

Speller #21. Last Year's 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. He is strong willed, competitive and ambitious. An athletic, social, boy scout, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.  

Vocal Range: C3-B4

This role has some of the most difficult singing in the show and requires long sustained high notes. 

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LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNIERRE (SCHWARTZY) (Female)

Speller #1. Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views.  She has two overbearing gay dads who have turned her neurotic and self-conscious.

She speaks with a lisp though has a real confidence about her at times. 

Vocal Range: A3-F5

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LEAF CONEYBEAR (Male or Female)

Speller #17. As just the second runner-up in his district's bee, he really shouldn't be competing here.  He finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He makes his own clothes, is home schooled and lacks social skills. He’s strange but very sweet, loving and kindhearted but distracted. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance.   

This role allows a ton of personal interpretation and requires physical comedy.

Vocal Range: A2-A4

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WILLIAM BARFEE (Male)

Speller #13. A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. He has no interest in making friends at the bee. 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.

Vocal Range: E2-B4  

This role requires a strong character actor with impeccable comic timing and the ability to create his own character. He should have a strong character voice and be an above average dancer. 

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MARCY PARK (Female)

Speller #7. Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. 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 does not recognize her own lack of humor. She is incredibly intense. 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.

Vocal Range: C4-E5

We would prefer an actress with unique talents (i.e. playing piano, twirling batons, juggling, gymnastics) but are open to all interpretations. 

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OLIVE OSTROVSKY (Female)

Speller #11. A young newcomer to competitive spelling.  The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he'll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary.  She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms.  

Vocal Range: B3-F5

This role requires an actress who, despite her meek appearance, has an incredibly strong voice and belt. 

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MITCH/MEG MAHONEY (Male or Female)

The Official Comfort Counselor.  This former felon is fulfilling his court ordered community service at the bee and acting as the bee’s “comfort counselor,” handing our juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He comes across as scary and tough but is really a big softy deep down. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. 

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CARL DAD (Male)

Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.

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DAN DAD (Male

the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.

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JESUS CHRIST (Male or Female)

Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.

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LEAF'S MOM, DAD and SIBLINGS (Male or Female)

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.

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OLIVE'S DAD (Male)

A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.

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OLIVE'S MOM (Female)

A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.

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