AUDITION INFORMATION
(To receive audition announcements, sign up for our email list.)

AUDITION NOTICE

Los Angeles Valley College Department of Theatre and Dance announces open call auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, to be produced in the Valley Academic and Cultural Center (corner of Fulton and Oxnard). The campus is located at 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen, CA 91401.

DETAILS

There are two ways to audition: in-person auditions or self-tape submissions. Instructions are below. Students are encouraged to audition in person, if possible. Questions about auditions can be emailed to director Matthew McCray at mccraymr@lavc.edu. 

In-Person: 

In-person auditions are Tuesday, February 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Shoebox Theatre within the Valley Academic and Cultural Center. If you cannot attend auditions, submit a self-tape. To audition, sing 32 bars (1 minute) of a contemporary musical theatre song. An accompanist will be provided. After you sing, you are free to go.

Self-Tape:

Self-tape audition submissions are due no later than Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted. Your self-tape should feature a song performance of 32 bars (1 minute) of a memorized contemporary musical theatre song. Sing to an accompaniment track, karaoke, or live accompaniment. Your recorded audition will be submitted as a link (Google, Dropbox, etc.). Submit Audition Form & Self-Tape Here.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

You will be asked to verify your availability for the production schedule. The full rehearsal/performance schedule can be found here.

CALLBACKS

Callbacks are by invitation only on Thursday, February 19 from 6:30-10:00 p.m. Same location.

REHEARSALS

Starting Monday, February 23:

Monday-Thursday 6:30-10:00 p.m.

Friday 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

(No rehearsals during Spring Break, April 4-12.)

The rehearsal process will also include a Stage Intimacy Workshop, required of those who have not participated in a prior LAVC Intimacy Workshop, and encouraged for those who have.

Tech Week Schedule:

4/17 Friday, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

4/18 Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

4/19 Sunday, 2:00-7:00 p.m. (Dress)

4/20 Monday, Off

4/21 Tuesday, 5:00-10:00 p.m. (Dress)

4/22 Wednesday, 5:00-10:00 p.m. (Alumni Invited Dress)

PERFORMANCES

Dates: April 23 - May 2, 2026

Times: Thursday-Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 2:30 p.m.

Location: Shoebox Theatre in the Valley Academic and Cultural Center

IMPORTANT PRODUCTION DATES

Auditions: February 17 and 18 (open to the public)

Callbacks: February 19 (by invitation)

Rehearsals: Begin February 23

Technical Rehearsals: Begin April 17

Performances:  Begin April 23

Strike: May 3 from 12:00-5:00 p.m. (required to pass)

Final Debrief:  May 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

IF YOU ARE CAST

All cast and crew members of the production are required to enroll in one of the eligible classes. We will provide details to those required.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Over the decades, this musical has been cast many ways, as far as the gender, age, and race of the actors in the show. For our production, actors of all genders, races, and ages are encouraged to audition for any role. The script is flexible in its casting requirements, and so are we.

PRINCIPAL

Chip Tolentino

Male. 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. Vocal range: C3-B4

Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy)

Female. 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. Vocal range: G3-G5

Leaf Coneybear

Male. 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. Vocal range: A2-A4

William Barfee

Male. 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. Vocal range: C3-Bb4.

Marcy Park

Female. Actresses with a variety of skills are a huge plus (meaning, things like juggling, a cartwheel, extreme flexibility, piano playing, or any other kinds of skills that can be demonstrated quickly... basically, show-off!). The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected. 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 gifts are offered by the actress. Bring them all! Vocal range: A3-Eb5.

Olive Ostrovsky

Female. 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. Vocal range: A3-F#5.

Rona Lisa Peretti

Female. Mid 30s. Comfort and skills with improvisation, a huge plus. 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. Vocal range: C4-E5.

Douglas Panch

Male. 30s-50s. Comfort and skills with improvisation, a huge plus. The Vice Principal. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After a five year 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. Vocal range: open.

Mitch Mahoney

Male. Late 20s-40s. 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. Vocal range: E3-A4.

ENSEMBLE

In some cases, these roles may be doubled, played by a principal cast member. 

Olive's Dad

A fantasy version of Olive's dad coming to the bee from work. Vocal range: E3-B4.

Olive's Mom

A fantasy version of Olive's mom at her Ashram in India. Vocal range: D4-E5.

Carl Dad

Schwarzy's main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy's fathers.

Dan Dad

The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy's fathers.

Leaf's Mom, Dad, And Siblings

All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success.

Jesus Christ

Deity invoked by a speller in need.

Spelling Bee Chorus

Former contestants and spelling bee staff.