AUDITION NOTICE: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Hanson Creative

Title: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Presented By: Hanson Creative

Genre: Musical Theatre

Synopsis: An eclectic group of sixth-graders arrives at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, each with different hopes, struggles and passions. In hilarious and touching songs, quirky characters share their dreams of spelling victory - and what it means to grow up and be heard. The show features a tuneful score by William Finn and a sweet, funny book by Rachel Sheinkin.

Audition Date: March 27th & 28th with Callbacks held March 30th, 2026

Audition Time:

• Friday from 4PM

• Saturday from 11:45AM

Audition Location and Address: Backbone, 28 Tallowwood St, Seven Hills, QLD

Audition Requirements:

• Prepare two songs (up to 1 min each — one must showcase comedic ability), one should be in the style of the production; the other choice piece

• Prepare one provided monologue (from audition materials); does not need to match the role auditioned for

• Participate in cold reads on the day

• Bring a CV and headshot

Audition Registration: Register before March 25th by completing the audition application form HERE

Audition Pack: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Audition Pack

Performance Dates: July 2nd - 5th, 2026

Performance Location: BackDock Arts, 103 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD

Rehearsal Dates & Times:

• Table Read - April 19th, 2026

• Weekly rehearsals - Mondays, Fridays & Sundays from approx. 5 pm–9 pm

• Technical bump-in - June 29th, 2026

• Tech rehearsal - June 30th, 2026

• Dress run - July 1st, 2026

Rehearsal Location: Backbone, 28 Tallowwood St, Seven Hills

Creative Team:

• Producer - Emma Hanson

• Director - Emma Hanson

• Assistant Director - Lucy Wilding

• Technical Stage Manager - Riley Montesin

• Stage Manager - Trish Rosales

Production Website: Hanson Creative - 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Other information:

• Parts of the audition may be filmed for casting or promotional use

• Rehearsal attendance expectations communicated at table read

• Scheduling accommodates personal/work commitments where possible

• This is a non-union production. All cast will be paid a flat rate of $200.

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

• Olive Ostrovsky – Femme-soprano; shy, loves her dictionary and feels neglected by her parents

• William Barfée – Masc-tenor; last year’s spelling champ with an unusual technique and severe allergies

• Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (“Schwarzy”) – Young politically aware contestant

• Leaf Coneybear – Masc-tenor; eccentric homeschooled participant

• Marcy Park – Femme-soprano; over-achiever and multi-talented

• Charlito “Chip” Tolentino – Masc-tenor; former champion dealing with puberty

• Rona Lisa Peretti – Femme-soprano; realtor and former champion

• Vice Principal Douglas Panch – Masc; frustrated word judge

• Mitch Mahoney – Masc-tenor; comfort counselor for eliminated contestants