Auditions for Nicolet Players’ The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Aug. 21 and 22

Roles for comedic singers and spellers are ripe for the taking when the Nicolet Players holds auditions Aug. 21 and 22 for the comedic musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 

“We know audiences and actors alike love being part of a musical” said director K. Woodzick, “This show has a nine-person cast that allows for character actors to shine in unique roles. It has a similar energy to You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and incorporates audience participation and improvisation from the actors.”  

Auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will take place Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 22, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Nicolet College Theatre located in the Lakeside Center on the Rhinelander campus. 

As always, everyone is welcome to audition. Those interested do not need any acting experience and they do not need to be Nicolet students. No preparation is required, but actors are typically better prepared if they have read the script beforehand. Interested individuals need to audition only one night but may elect to attend both nights. Woodzick will want to hear actors sing and folks are welcome to share a song a capella or bring a karaoke backing track.  

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee premiered on Broadway in 2005. The musical won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. 

The show is described as a riotous ride and a delightful den of comedic genius. 

Scripts are available for a three-day checkout from the service desk on the third floor of the Richard J. Brown Library, located in the Lakeside Center. 

Roles will be available for at least nine actors. Performers of all ages and genders are encouraged to audition. 

“This show is electric,” Woodzick explained. “It’s not your typical musical in that it relies heavily on audience participation. If you’ve never auditioned for a musical before, this is a great piece to wet your feet with.” 

Cast members can expect rehearsals to start after Labor Day. The rehearsal schedule will be comprised of weekday evening rehearsals to be held three to four times a week. 

Public performances are scheduled for Nov. 4 to 6 and 10 to 13, with Sunday performances at 2 p.m. and all others at 7:30 p.m. 

Click here for more details about the play, including a detailed list of characters. Anyone with questions can also contact K. Woodzick at (360) 969-2565 or k.woodzick@gmail.com.