Auditions

The Hive Theatre Company is seeking 18+ local non-union actors for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Performances are January 22-February 1, 2026 at The Plaza Theatre in the Boston Center for the Arts.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to margaretmcfadden@hivetheatre.org

 

AUDITION SIGN UPS

 

Auditions are Saturday, September 20th between 10:30-5:30pm. Please sign up for a 4 minute audition slot: 

 

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Callbacks will be invite-only on Monday, September 29th between 5:00-10:00pm

 

Auditions and callbacks will be located at Studio 204, 551 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116.

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

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We are accepting video submissions. All video submissions will be seriously considered for casting. Please submit your video via this form before Friday, September 19.

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WHAT TO PREPARE 

 

Please prepare a comedic 32-bar cut of a musical theatre song OR a 32-bar cut of a song from the show. Please bring your own sheet music in a binder. An accompanist will be provided. 

 

Please bring one printed copy of your headshot and resume to the audition.

 

REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

 

Please review a more detailed rehearsal and performance schedule here. 

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Rehearsals: December 1-January 16 (December 20-January 3 OFF)
Rehearsals will typically be Monday-Thursdays from 6:15-9:45pm AND Sundays from 12:15-5:45pmpm 

 

All rehearsals will be located in the Arts Resources Room at the Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

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*Conflicts will be accommodated when possible, provided they have been communicated and approved in advance. Please be prepared to indicate your conflicts on a form provided at the audition.

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Tech & Dress Rehearsals: January 17- January 21

All Tech and Dress Rehearsals will be located at The Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116

Performances: January 22-February 1

All Performances will be located at The Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116. ​Please review the performance schedule here. ​​​​

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CASTING BREAKDOWN

All roles will be played by local non-union actors ages 18+. At The Hive Theatre Company, we are proud to feature Boston-based actors and creatives in all of our productions. As a company founded by and for local artists, we are committed to fostering opportunities within our own community and celebrating the incredible talent that Boston has to offer. The Hive Theatre Company is committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for artists of all backgrounds and experiences. All ethnicities, gender expressions, cultural heritage, background, ability, and body types are encouraged to audition. 

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The Spellers

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Olive Ostrovsky: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: 11, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt B3-F5) 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 off enormously shy, but slowly blossoms. Olive is generous, optimistic and full of love for everyone she meets.  

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William Barfée: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 12, Vocal Range: Tenor E2-B4) A finalist in last year’s Putnam County Spelling Bee, he was eliminated due to an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has propelled him to spelling glory, despite having only one working nostril and a touchy personality. Barfée is pompous and determined to win but has a soft heart. 

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Chip Tolentino: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 13, Vocal Range: Tenor C3-B4) An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He returns to defend his title but finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Chip is practical and resourceful but can be easily distracted—often at the worst times. 

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Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenniere: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: 10, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt A3-F5) Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, frequently making comments about current political figures. She is driven by both internal and external pressure, but above all, by her desire to win and make her two fathers proud. A bit of a neat freak, she speaks with a lisp and is determined to return next year. Logainne is enthusiastic, hard-working, and prone to overthinking.

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Leaf Coneybear: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 11, Vocal Range: Tenor A2-A4) The second runner-up in his district, Leaf enters the competition on a whim and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. Leaf has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and often spells words correctly while in a trance. He is imaginative, passionate about spelling, and simply happy to be there.

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Marcy Park: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: 13, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt C4-E5)

The ultimate overachiever, Marcy has never been given another option. Coming from a family where excellence is expected, she produces it effortlessly. A parochial school student, she assumes God also expects perfection. Though she sees herself as a bundle of problems, she keeps them to herself. Having moved frequently due to her parents' work, Marcy knows she can outshine the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, and baton twirling. Marcy is ambitious, intellectual, and determined to win.

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The Adults

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Rona Lisa Peretti: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: mid 30s to early 40s, Vocal Range: Mezzo/Belt  B3-F5) 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. However, she can be stern when dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her unflagging interest in the competition keeps it moving forward. Rona is a warm and loving presence in an otherwise cold, stiff competition. 

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Mitch Mahoney: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 20s to early 40s, Vocal Range: Tenor E3-A4) The official Comfort Counselor, Mitch is an ex-convict performing his community service with the Bee, handing out juice boxes to losing students. Though he has no idea how to offer comfort, he often wishes he could find a way to make the kids feel better. While Mitch may have a tough exterior, he is soft and kind-hearted underneath. 

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Douglas Panch: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: mid 30s to early 40s) The vice principal, frustrated with his life, finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After a five-year absence from the Bee, Panch returns as a 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, though she does not return his affections.

 

Others/Ensemble 

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*These roles will likely be played by the spellers and adults. However, all roles are potentially open for consideration to be cast by additional actors who would also double as swings.

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Carl Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: B2-G5) Schwartzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers.

Dan Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: B2-G5) The more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers.

Olive’s Dad: (Gender: Male presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: E4-B5) A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. 

Olive’s Mom: (Gender: Female presenting, Age: 40 - 50, Vocal Range: D4-E5) A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. 

Jesus Christ: (Any Gender) invoked by a speller in need.