The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Performances: June 27-30, 2024 on the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts SecondStage

Six young spellers compete for the life-altering chance to win the Putnam County Spelling Bee in this hilarious musical. Who will claim the glory and prize of a trip to Washington D.C., and who will get sent home with nothing but a consolation juice box? 

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Additional Material by Jay Reiss. Music and Lyrics by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Additional Material by Jay Reiss.

Recommended for ages 12 and up due to mature language, mild sexual references, and irreverent depictions of religious figures.

Directed by Karen Simpson

Choreographed by Jennifer Tipton

Vocal Directed by Val Zvinyatskovsky

Stage Manager Shiboune Thill

Produced by Mike Cobb

Putting on a full-scale musical is an enormous undertaking. There are sets to paint, costumes to sew, lights to hang, and much more. Our shows would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers.

Peninsula Youth Theatre requires a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer time from each family participating in a musical production (15 hours for the second child and 5 hours per child after that). Without this contribution of time and energy, it would be prohibitively expensive for us to put these shows on stage.

Don’t have a child in the cast but still want to volunteer? PYT will be happy to have your help! Non-parent volunteers over 18 must be fingerprinted and pass a routine background check.  For more information about how you can become a PYT volunteer, email connor@pytnet.org.

A few things to know about our show specific volunteer positions:

• Many volunteer positions require more than the minimum 25 hour commitment, particularly those in the theatre during the run of the show. These are very important positions that must be filled by committed people, so please understand what is expected of you before signing up for any of these roles. If you sign up for a position in the theatre, you should plan on working at ±5 performances as well as several nights of Tech rehearsal.
• For the safety of all our volunteers, performers and staff, volunteers must follow the instructions of PYT and MVCPA staff at all times
• Load-in and Strike (when we move the show in and out of the theater) are crucial to the success of the show and require a great deal of effort. ALL families are expected to participate in Load In and Strike. This is in addition to the expected 25 hours.
• When volunteers don’t show up as expected, the work still needs to get done. Either other volunteers will have to fill the void, or more commonly, PYT must hire professional crew at great expense. This is an especially big concern during Load-in and Strike.
• Enjoy yourself! Whether you have a special talent to contribute or want to learn a new skill, there is a place for you. Parent volunteers are an important part of the PYT community, and volunteering is a great way to feel connected to the process.

Now….which committee is right for you?

Backstage Crew

Do you like to be part of the action happening on stage during the show? The Backstage Crew moves set pieces between scenes under the direction of the Stage Manager. Must be reasonably fit and able to push, pull, lift, bend, etc. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Body Microphones

Are you interested in the fascinating world of live sound? The Body Microphone Committee is responsible for affixing mics to and removing mics from the actors. Must be available to work during tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Some heavy lifting may be required during load-in and strike.

Cast Bios and Lobby Decorations

Can you share your creative talents in order to showcase our wonderful staff and talented cast members? Headshots and bios for each of each actor are displayed attractively in the theater lobby. Some work will need to be done at home and the lobby displays are put up during tech week. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Cast Party

Do you love to throw a great shindig? The Cast Party committee is responsible for planning and throwing a party for the cast the Monday after the show closes, working with the producers to stay within a strict budget and meet other important criteria. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members will also be required to help with Tech Night Dinners and asked to assist with Greenroom Supervision.

Costumes

Can you thread a needle with the best of them? The Costume Committee assists the Costume Designer with fitting and costume construction and well as all of the logistics needed to assign, distribute, maintain, collect and store the costumes. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Must have previous sewing experience.

Cueing

Are you the person in your house who makes sure everyone gets to where they need to go on time? The Cueing Committee alerts cast members when they are needed onstage during dress rehearsals and performances. Committee members must be familiar with the script and all characters and be available to work during Tech Week and at least 5 performances including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes at the theater.

Dressers

Do you thrive on just-in-time activities? The Dresser Committee executes all quick changes, provides assistance to cast members who need help with costumes changes, and makes sure the dressing rooms are kept neat and organized. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Followspots

Want to light up our performers? The followspot operators run the spotlights that illuminate the actors on stage. Must be willing to climb a tall vertical ladder and work on a catwalk in a relatively small space. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Green Room

Do you love hanging out with and getting to know interesting kids? The Green Room Committee is responsible to supervising the cast members in the Green Room during Tech week and performances. The committee members will provide board games and other appropriate activities. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members will also be required to help with Tech Night Dinners and Cast Party.

Makeup and Hair

Can you French braid? How about put on eyeliner without gouging out an eye? The Makeup and Hair Committee applies specialty makeup, executes specialty hair designs and puts on and takes off all wigs. The committee also ensures that cast members responsible for their own hair and makeup look good before going on stage. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25-35 hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Props

Are you a quick draw with a glue gun? Do you love the thrill of a perfect thrift store find? Props include set dressing, furniture, table settings, costume accessories, various items actors carry, and various other objects used by the actors on stage. The committee buys, builds or borrows to add artistic elements to the show. This committee works during the rehearsal period and at least 5 performances including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25+ hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own items.

Set Building

Is your dream birthday present a power tool? The Set Building Committee works with the Technical Director to build the sets for the show. Carpentry skills are useful. Must be reasonably fit and able to lift, push and pull heavy objects. Close-toes shoes and proper clothing are required. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Sets are assembled during load-in and disassembled during strike.

Scenery Painting

Did you love to paint-by-numbers as a kid? The Painting Committee is responsible for painting the scenery for the show. Artistic ability is not required. Committee members must reasonably fit and able to lift, push, and pull heavy objects. Some ladder climbing may be required as well. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. This committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Soundboard Operator

Want to perform one of the most challenging but rewarding jobs available? The Soundboard Operator preferably has experience with live theatrical sound. Attendance at all Designer Run Throughs and Tech week rehearsals is required. The Soundboard Operator must work every performance including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25+ hours. This responsibility may be shared if there are multiple Soundboard Operators.

Tech Dinners

Do you love to host big family dinners? The Tech Dinner Committee is responsible for serving dinner to the cast members, staff, and volunteers during tech week and strike and for cleaning up after dinner. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members will be required to help with Tech Night Dinners and Green Room Supervision.