St. Louis Resident Auditions
Auditions are open to performers who will be 18 years old by May 1, 2026
We are not accepting video submissions at this time.

Registration Opens

• AEA Members: January 5 at 12 pm CST

• Non-Union: January 7 at 10 am CST

• Deadline to register is January 11 at 11:59 pm CST (or once full; waitlist stays open)

Pre-registration is required. Appointments will be assigned by email.
Preparation materials will be available when the registration link is posted.

Wednesday, January 21 – Friday, January 23
Principal & Ensemble Singer Appointments

• 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Character Breakdowns listed below.
Auditions are by appointment only.
Artistic Director, each Show’s Director, and the Musical Director of Spelling Bee will be present for all auditions. The Choreographer for Guys & Dolls will be present at Chorus Dance auditions.

Saturday, January 24
Guys & Dolls Open Dance Call

• Crapshooters (Male Identifying & Non-Binary) at 10:00 am
• Hot Box Girls (Female Identifying & Non-Binary) at 2:30 pm

Seeking strong dancers who sing well of all ethnic backgrounds to portray various ensemble roles in Guys & Dolls. This audition is open to Actors’ Equity and nonunion performers, with Actor’s Equity dancers receiving priority. Come warmed up and dressed to dance. A combination will be taught. Dancers should bring character heels and/or jazz shoes. Bring your book of music in case you are asked to stay and sing along with a current headshot and resume. An accompanist will be provided.

Callbacks will take place on Saturday, January 24 and/or Sunday, January 25

Location for all St. Louis Auditions:

Kent Center for Theatre Arts
1023 Chesterfield Parkway East
Chesterfield, MO 63017

We are not accepting video submissions at this time.

NEW YORK AUDITION DATES

COME FROM AWAY:

• Appointments: Thursday, March 12 – Friday March 13
• Callbacks: Monday, March 16

GUYS & DOLLS:

• Appointments: Tuesday, March 17 – Wednesday, March 18
• Invited Ensemble Dance: Thursday, March 19
• Callbacks: Friday, March 20 – Saturday, March 21

 There will be no appointments in New York for 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at this time. To be considered for an appointment in New York, please send your picture and resume to hdbauditions@gmail.com. Please note what show/role you are interested in when submitting.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Co-Directors & Co-Choreographers: Gayle Holsman Seay & Ron Gibbs

Musical Director: Michael Kaish

Rehearsals begin in St. Louis: May 5, 2026
Performances: May 29 – June 28, 2026

Storyline: A delightfully oddball crew of six eccentric tweens (portrayed by adult actors) compete for the ultimate prize: the title of spelling bee champion and a ticket to the national finals in Washington, D.C.! As they tackle tricky words round after round, each contestant reveals hilariously heartfelt glimpses into their complicated preteen worlds. It’s a chaotic, laugh-filled journey to crown the best speller—complete with audience participation and plenty of surprises. And hey, even the ones who don’t win walk away with a juice box…

CHIP TOLENTINO: Male, all ethnicities, 18+ to play preteen. The reigning spelling bee champion, returning to defend his title. A boy scout; he’s confident, athletic, charming and outgoing. He expects things to come easily to him. Puberty is now hitting at an inopportune time, and the unexpected hormonal changes could hinder his chances at winning this year. Doubles as JESUS who talks to Marcy. High Tenor.

LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUBENNIERE: Female, all ethnicities, 18+ to play preteen. The youngest of the spellers. A high-strung social justice warrior and political spitfire. She has a lisp but doesn’t let it slow her down. Seemingly polite and put together at most times, she’s incredibly stressed because of internal pressure and the pressure her two fathers put on her. She is very smart and practices harder than anyone. Mezzo/Alto belter.

LEAF CONEYBEAR: Male, all ethnicities, 18+ to play preteen. No one is more excited to be in the Bee; he was a second alternate and was surprised to get the call to compete. Home schooled along with his many siblings in a hippie family, he has an active imagination, but an inferiority complex and attention deficit disorder. To compensate, he is fascinated by everything, amused by everyone and goes into a trance-like state that surprisingly helps him spell hard words correctly. He doesn’t expect to win and is just happy to be accepted and included. Doubles as CARL DAD, one of Logainne’s two fathers. Tenor.

WILLIAM BARFEE: Male, all ethnicities, 18+ to play preteen. A finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts. His famous Magic Foot method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril that affects his speech and a touchy personality. Cocky but insecure, he is focused on winning and is not there to make friends. He has an often-mispronounced last name: it is Bar-FAY, not BARF-ee (there’s an accent aigu, he explains with some hostility). He develops a crush on Olive during the second half of the show. Character baritone.

MARCY PARK: Asian American Female, 18+ to play preteen. A recent transfer student who attends Catholic School, she is an overachiever, is good at everything and is expected to be. She speaks six languages, is a member of an all-American hockey team, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She is also not allowed to cry and can come across as dry and unfeeling. Soprano/belter with mix.

OLIVE OSTROVSKY: Female, all ethnicities, 18+ to play preteen. A newcomer to the competition and single child to absentee parents, she loves words and spends most of her time daydreaming and alone reading her dictionary. There she finds peace and comfort. Polite and painfully shy, but sweet and positive. She’s thoughtful and very attentive to other spellers’ needs. Soprano/high mixed belt.

RONA LISA PERRETTI: Female, 30s-40s, all ethnicities. Putnam County’s number one realtor and longtime spelling bee host. A former Spelling Bee champion, it was a highlight of her life and she loves to reminisce about it. Well-liked and respected, she is sweet and proud of her accomplishments and her love for the competition. Warm and friendly but can be stern and no-nonsense when needed to maintain control over the proceedings. Adept with improvisation and audience interaction, as she acts as our guide in explaining the rules and expectations throughout the night. Doubles as OLIVE’S MOM. Mezzo soprano with strong mix belt.

VICE PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS PANCH: Male, 30s-40s, all ethnicities. A beleaguered and frustrated Vice Principal, who is filling in as guest judge after a five-year absence due to an ‘incident’. Indefinitely awaiting his promotion to Principal, he doesn’t really care about spelling or the Bee but enjoys the slight power trip as judge. Hoping to redeem himself from his previous mishap but still has a curmudgeonly edge to him. He is infatuated with Rona and takes the rules seriously to impress her. Provides the words, definitions and sentence for each speller. Adept with improvisation and audience interaction. No solo singing.

MITCH MAHONEY: Male, 30s-40s, all ethnicities. The ‘comfort counselor’ at the Bee, who offers eliminated students a juice box and shoulder to cry on. He is new to this position and able to question its absurdities in a way those more deeply involved have lost sight of. He may initially appear out of place and uncomfortable, but he is deeply caring. He surprises himself by coming to care about the kids under pressure and discovers he does have something to offer as he teaches them to lose with dignity. Doubles as DAN DAD, one of Logainne’s two fathers, and OLIVE’S DAD. Soulful Baritenor who can riff.

Guys & Dolls
Director: James Monroe Iglehart
Choreographer: Lindsay Joy Lancaster
Music Director: Dolores Duran-Cefalu

Rehearsals begin in St. Louis: June 30, 2026
Performances:  July 24 – August 23, 2026

Storyline: Set against the vibrant backdrop of Depression-era Times Square, Guys and Dolls follows the intertwined lives of two gamblers and the women who steal their hearts. High-stakes gambler Sky Masterson unexpectedly falls for strait-laced mission worker Sarah Brown, while charming schemer Nathan Detroit tries to keep his long-running floating crap game alive—without losing his fiancée of 14 years. Love, luck, and dice all come into play in this classic tale of charm, chance, and unlikely connections.

SKY MASTERSON: Male, 30s-40s, all ethnicities. A charming, quick-witted, and confident gambler known for winning and taking risks. Sky is sophisticated and suave, yet capable of deep emotion, especially when it comes to his love interest, Sarah Brown. Vocal Range: B3 to E5.

SARAH BROWN: Female, 20s-30s, all ethnicities. A dedicated and sincere leader of the Save-a-Soul Mission, she strives to reform sinners and provide help to the less fortunate. Initially stern and proper, Sarah experiences a journey of personal discovery and love. Vocal Range: B3 to G5

NATHAN DETROIT: Male, 30s-40s, all ethnicities. The slightly neurotic but lovable organizer of the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York. He is perpetually engaged to Miss Adelaide, dodging marriage while navigating the challenges of his gambling life. Vocal Range: D4 to F5.

MISS ADELAIDE: Female – 30s-40s, all ethnicities. Nathan’s long-suffering fiancée and a star performer at the Hot Box Club. She is humorous and kind-hearted, though frequently experiencing psychosomatic symptoms caused by her unyielding wait for Nathan to marry her. Vocal Range: A3 to E5.

NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON: Male, 30s-50s, all ethnicities. A cheerful and well-loved gambler with a hearty appetite, he is one of Nathan Detroit’s closest associates. Known for his positive outlook and infectious energy, especially highlighted in his show-stopping number, Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. Vocal Range: D4 to B5.

ARVIDE ABERNATHY: Male, 50s-60s, all ethnicities. Sarah Brown’s kind and gentle grandfather, who works with her at the mission. He serves as a father figure and is wise, caring, and supportive. Vocal Range: D4 to F5.

ENSEMBLE: All Gender Identities, ethnicities, and body types, 20s-50s. Benny Southstreet, Harry the Horse, Lt. Brannigan, Mission Band, Crapshooters, Hot Box Girls, etc. Dancers need to be Excellent, athletic dancers who are also excellent singers. Swings and/or understudies will come out of the ensemble.

Come From Away

Director: Michael Bello
Musical Staging: Sarah Parker
Music Director: Jacob Carll

Rehearsals begin in St. Louis: August 25, 2026
Performances: September 18 – October 18, 2026

Storyline: Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of how the small, remote town of Gander, Newfoundland became an unexpected refuge for the world. On September 11, 2001, 38 planes carrying thousands of passengers were suddenly rerouted to Gander’s airstrip, turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary act of global compassion. Amidst fear, uncertainty, and cultural differences, the residents of Gander opened their hearts and homes—offering food, music, comfort, and a whole lot of kindness. In the face of tragedy, strangers became friends, and a tiny town reminded us all of our shared humanity.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:

BEULAH & OTHERS: Female, 30s to 60s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with an alto or mezzo voice and a strong belt. Beulah is the quick-witted and big-hearted head of the Gander Legion. With a firefighter son of her own, she connects deeply with Hannah, walking with her to church and offering quiet strength. Mezzo — solid belt to B4.

BEVERLEY & OTHERS: Female, 30s to 50s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong high mix/belt and soprano voice. Beverley is a pilot who has always loved flying, but everything changes for her on the day of the attacks. She later faces passengers too afraid to fly again, forcing her to confront her own fears. Also plays ANNETTE, a teacher at the Gander Academy who helps Beulah care for the Plane People and occasionally escapes into whimsical fantasies. Strong mezzo — comfortable belt or mix to C#5.

BOB & OTHERS: Male, mid-20s to 30s, Black. Excellent singer with a strong baritone voice. Bob is a street-smart New Yorker, skeptical of Gander’s small-town kindness and wary of being taken advantage of — but his outlook begins to shift as he experiences true generosity. Baritone.

BONNIE & OTHERS: Female, 25 to 55, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong alto or second soprano voice. Bonnie is a no-nonsense mother of three and the head of the Gander SPCA. When she learns that animals have been left behind on the planes, she becomes relentless in her mission to rescue them — though her determination sometimes strains her relationship with her husband, Doug. Mezzo — belt to B4.

CLAUDE & OTHERS: Male, 40s to 60s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a rich, characterful baritone voice. Claude is the outgoing and well-loved mayor of Gander. He thrives on daily routines and traditions, but must quickly adapt when the town is thrown into crisis. Also plays DERM, the mayor of nearby Appleton. Baritone — up to G4.

DIANE & OTHERS: Female, 40s to 60s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong alto belt and mix/soprano voice. Diane is a traditional divorcée from Texas, terrified that her son may have been flying during the attacks. When she learns he’s safe, she begins to rediscover a freer, more spontaneous side of herself. Warm, contemporary soprano — mix up to D5.

HANNAH & OTHERS: Female, 30s to 50s, Black, East Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian. Excellent singer with a soulful belt and mix/soprano voice. Hannah is the mother of a Manhattan firefighter, anxiously awaiting news of his safety. She finds unexpected comfort and friendship in Beulah. Contemporary soprano — mix up to E5.

JANICE & OTHERS: Female, 20 to 35, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong character belt and comfortable mix/soprano. Comedy skills are a plus. Janice is a fresh-faced, eager local TV reporter thrown into the chaos of 9/11 on her first day. Naïve at first, she quickly comes to understand the weight of the moment. Contemporary soprano — strong pop belt, mix up to E5.

KEVIN J & OTHERS: Male, 20s to 40s, MENASA (Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian). Excellent singer with a rich baritenor or second tenor voice. Kevin J is Kevin T’s boyfriend and secretary. He’s sarcastic and tightly wound, eager to get home to New York. Also plays ALI, an Egyptian chef and airplane passenger with a generous heart. Baritenor or tenor 2.

KEVIN T & OTHERS: Male, 25 to 55, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong tenor voice. Kevin T is the head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, traveling with his partner, Kevin J. Deeply moved by the kindness of Gander’s residents, he begins to question his life’s purpose and values. Also plays GARTH, the head of the bus drivers’ union. Contemporary tenor — up to G4.

NICK & OTHERS: Male, 40s to 60s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a characterful baritenor or tenor voice. Nick is a reserved English oil engineer whose life is unexpectedly changed when he falls for Diane. Also plays DOUG, Bonnie’s husband and an air traffic controller. Pop baritone or baritenor — up to E4.

OZ & OTHERS: Male, 20s to 50s, all ethnicities. Excellent singer with a strong pop tenor voice. Oz is a quirky and lovable constable on the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population doubles overnight, Oz rises to the challenge in unexpected ways. Also plays JOEY, a rambunctious, fun-loving passenger who enjoys a drink. Tenor — up to G4.