The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – ArtWorks Academy of Performing Arts

This summer we will produce The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with rising 10th-12th grade students and 2026 grads. This show is a small cast and audition only, meaning students must audition to be cast and we will select those we feel will be the best fit for the production. Please note: This show is rated PG-13. Please familiarize yourself with the content prior to auditions. We will use the approved edit of “My Unfortunate Distraction” in place of the original song. The song still has the same context, just some different lyrics.

About The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee:

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

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 a champion! At least the losers get a juice box. (MTIShows.com)

AUDITIONS

This production is audition only, meaning students must audition to be cast and we will select those we feel will be the best fit for the production.

Auditions will be Thursday, June 18 at 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm
Callbacks will be Friday, June 19 at 6:00 pm
If you will be out of town during auditions, please contact us in advance, so we can arrange another audition time for you. You can call (405) 397-1824 or email Katie Morris at katie@artworksacademy.com. Please make sure you get a message back confirming we know your child will be absent.
Please sign your child up to audition on Thursday, June 18 at 4:00 or 6:00 pm
Those auditioning should prepare one song from a musical, which reflects the style of the show. It should be 16-32 bars in length. We will not have an accompanist for this audition, so students will need to bring recorded accompaniment.
They should also come prepared for a dance audition. The dance will be taught to them at auditions and they will dance in small groups for the audition portion.
Those who audition for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee may be called back to read and sing for specific roles. Callbacks will be Friday, June 19 at 6:00 pm. You will receive an email on Friday, June 19 letting you know if your child is called back for which roles they will sing and read.

Again, auditioning does NOT guarantee you will be cast in the show. There are limited roles for this production.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR AUDITIONS

As stated above, you will need to select a time and sign your child up to audition. If your child is also planning to audition for Musical Theatre Company (MTC), please sign up for both auditions.
They will use the same song to audition for both and do not need to audition twice, but we need to know who is auditioning for each. If they plan to audition at 6:00 pm, for instance, please register for the MTC audition and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee audition that are scheduled for 6:00 pm (if they plan to audition for both).
Click on the link below and log in to your account or create an account if you are new.
Once you have done so you will see a link to a page that says, “2026 Summer Auditions”

Sign Up for Auditions

AGES AND REHEARSAL TIMES

Grades: Rising 10th-12th grades and 2026 grads
Students will rehearse from 6:00-8:30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays from June 22 through July 30. We might occasionally have additional rehearsals, if necessary, or have students stay until 9:00 pm. We will have mandatory rehearsals every night the week of July 27.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Performances for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be Friday-Sunday, July 31-2, 2025. We will announce the performance times after casting is finalized.

TUITION

Tuition is $395
Enrollment will not take place until the cast list is finalized. You sign up first for an audition and if your child is cast, then you enroll.
The balance is due by the first day of class.
Students enrolling in two or more camps or classes will receive a 10% discount off of each camp or class.

VENUE

Rehearsals and performances for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be at the Loft Theatre at the ArtWorks Academy Main Campus in Norman, which is located at 3251 Market Place.

TICKETS

Tickets will be $15 each. They will go on sale the week of the show. Parents will receive an email with instructions on how to purchase tickets.

“ArtWorks Academy is such a great environment with wonderful teachers! I could see my progress as I came out of my shell in musical theater class!” ~ Eleanor T.

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