The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Program Playbill
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music & Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by Rebecca Feldman, Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Presented by the Center for Fine & Performing Arts at Seminole State College
Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second State Theatre
Based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play by the Farm.
The Barrington Stage Company workshop of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was originally co-directed by Michael Barakiva and Rebecca Feldman.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
- March 27-29, 2025
at 7:30 p.m.
March 30, 2025 at 2 p.m. - Presented in
Le Petit Théâtre, B-127
100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773 - Free Admission.
Reservations Required.
Call Box Office: 407.708.2506 - Sanford/Lake Mary Campus
- Director
Niki Salamon - Set Design/Technical Director
Josh Jacobs - Stage Manager
Lily Robertson - Setting
Putnam County Junior High School Gym - Act I
Intermission
Act II
Welcome to Le Petit Théâtre
Welcome to Le Petit Théâtre and the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts of Seminole State College of Florida and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee directed by Nicole Salamon. It has been a joy for the cast and crew to prepare this delightful presentation for you, as part of the class SSC Tour. The tour class also goes out to high schools and middle schools in the area, performs for students, and leads them in discussions about going to college. We are proud to offer our students authentic, hands-on, service activities for our students, which provide them wiht skills beyond the stage. Enjoy!
~ Michele Cuomo
Dean, Arts and Communication
College shouldn't be all work and No Plays!
Please Remember...
Be Courteous to Your Neighbor.
NO Cell Phone Texting.
Video, audio recording, or photos of this production is strictly prohibited.
Directors Notes
Welcome to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Directing this show has been an absolute joy, and I am incredibly proud of our talented cast and crew. Our production embraces the humor and heart of this show while celebrating the individuality of our incredible cast. Their energy, comedic timing, and genuine emotional depth bring these characters to life in ways that will have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next.
This show isn’t just about spelling—it’s about the pressures of growing up, the expectations we face, and the moments that shape us.
As part of our Touring Troupe, this cast travels to middle and high schools to bring live theatre to students. During rehearsals, we performed some of the songs at a local middle school, and when I asked a group of 6th-8th graders if they could relate to the characters’ struggles, nearly every hand went up. It’s no surprise—who hasn’t felt the pressure to make their parents proud like Olive, struggled with expectations like Schwarzy, or had an embarrassing moment in front their peers like Chip? And of course, we all know someone like Barfée—quirky, confident, and determined to prove themselves. That moment with those 6th-8th graders solidified just how powerful this story is. These characters may be exaggerated, but their experiences are real. We hope you see a little of yourself in them, laugh at the awkward moments, and maybe even your own middle school years (for better or worse).
A huge thank you to you, our audience—whether you were a spelling bee champion or still have flashbacks to middle school—thank you for joining us. We hope you leave tonight with a smile a few new favorite words, and maybe even a little more appreciation for the beautifully awkward journey of growing up.
Enjoy the show!
~ Niki Salamon, MFA, MA
Director
Character List
Chip Tolentino - Marcos Parra
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere - Courtney St. John
Leaf Coneybear - Nico Eubanks
William Barfee - Oliver Fox
Marcy Park - Matilda Day
Olive Ostrovsky - Zee Klem
Rona Lisa Peretti - Ilsealysha Davila Torres
Vice Principal Douglas Panch - Zach Steverson
Mitch Mahoney - Virgil Grogan
Production Staff
Lighting Designer - Nico Eubanks & Juno Kasner
Sound Board Op - Alyssa Leardi
Light Board Op - Juno Kasner
Props/Run Crew - Julia Wolenski & Hannah Kent
Choreographer - Matilda Day
Musical Director - Zee Klem
Ushers - Gabrielle Smith, Rocio Cobon-Samayoa, Dakota Lewis, & Maya Roberts
Box Office Coordinator - Christine Kindell
A huge thank you goes out to Tracy Eubanks for supplying and creating the cast's T-shirts.
Musical Numbers
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Rules
My Friend the Dictionary
Pandemonium
I’m Not That Smart
Magic Foot
Magic Foot Playoff
Pandemonium (Reprise)
Chip Goodbye
Rona Moment #2
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
Chip’s Lament Intro
Chip’s Lament
Woe Is Me
Spelling Montage
I'm Not That Smart (Reprise)
Coneybear Goodbye
I Speak Six Languages
Jesus
Three Spellers Remain! Sluice!
The I Love You Song
Crepuscule
Woe Is Me (Reprise)
How Exciting
Rona Moment #3
Second (Part 1)
Weltanschauung
Olive & Barfee Pas De Deux
Second (Part 2)
The Champion
Epilogues
Finale
Bows
Exit Music
Meet Our Characters
Matilda Day (Marcy Park/Choregrapher)
Matilda is thrilled to return to the Le Petit Théâtre as Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She has an extensive dance background which she is excited to showcase both on stage and in the choreography she created for this production. Previously, Matilda played a witch in Seminole State’s production of Witches of Shakespeare. She hopes everyone returns to the theatre to see the Lights up on Students! plays in April!
Nico Eubanks (Leaf Coneybear/Lighting Designer)
This is Nico’s ninth show at Seminole State College! He has previously been Chorus member and Countess in The Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World, lighting designer and board operator for Witches of Shakespeare, props crew for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the director, playwright, and the light board operator for the 2024 Lights Up on Students A Loving Thought, Harold in Black Comedy, Costume crew in Mary Poppins and the Phantom of the Opera, Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again). He is currently working towards a Technical Theatre certificate. Nico would like to thank his mom, Niki Salamon, as well as his friends for supporting him through this production!
Oliver Fox (William Barfee)
This is Oliver’s second show at Seminole State College and his 2nd semester with the SSC tour group. He has previously played Shakespeare in the College’s 2024 production of Witches of Shakespeare. He lost his 2nd grade spelling bee by a wide margin. He is happy to be playing William Barfée, and hopes this bee goes differently for him.
Virgil Grogan (Mitch Mahoney)
Virgil is very excited to be performing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for you! Beginning his Seminole State career in 2021, Virgil has been in many previous shows such as 2024’s rendition of The Witches of Shakespeare, The Freeze, The Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World, and is one of many directors in this year’s upcoming Lights up on Students event in April. He hopes you have fun and enjoy the show!
Zee Klem (Olive Ostrovsky/Musical Director)
Zee (they/them) is so excited to be joining the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as their dream role, Olive!! Some of Zee’s credits include Constance Blackwood in Ride the Cyclone, Wednesday Addams in Addams Family, and Rosie in Mamma Mia. They are currently a business student at Seminole State College and an active member in the schools touring theatre troupe!! Zee is so excited to be presenting this role that means so much to them. In June they will be portraying Wendla in Spring Awakening at Theatre South Playhouse professionally!! They are so grateful for all the love and support!! E-N-J-O-Y!!!
Marcos Parra (Chip Tolentino)
Marcos is a passionate actor in training, currently studying at Seminole State College and plans to further his education at Stetson University next year. Enjoy the show!!
Courtney St. John (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere)
Courtney is a student at Seminole State College. You may have seen her in Black Comedy as Clea and in Witches of Shakespeare as a Witch. In her free time, she loves to shop and hang out with friends. Courtney is so thankful for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show!!
Zach Steverson (Vice Principal Douglas Panch)
This marks Zach’s debut production. Initially joining the tour group as a videographer to capture behind-the-scenes moments and memorable experiences, he is now stepping into the world of acting for the first time. Though new to the stage, he is eager to give his best both on and offstage.
Ilsealysha Davila Torres (Rona Lisa Peretti)
Ilsealysha is a senior at Seminole State College, and this is her final year and last production at the college. She has been involved in multiple productions, including Black Comedy, Witches of Shakespeare, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Tour 2024. Originally from Puerto Rico, she was born and raised there before relocating to the United States after Hurricane María.
Meet Our Production Staff
Josh Jacobs (Set Designer/Technical Director)
Josh has been the Technical Director of Arts and Communication for Seminole State College since he moved to Florida in July 2018. Before moving here, Josh grew up in Texas where his love for theatre began. He triple-lettered in Theater in High School. He received his Associate’s Degree of Arts from Collin College with a focus in technical theater; his Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Technical Direction and Stage Management from the University of Texas at Arlington; and his Masters in Technical Direction from the University of Houston. While he appreciated and enjoyed every college experience and the lifelong lesson he received, the foundation he obtained from Collin College helped set the pathway to where he is today.
Josh has also been the set designer and builder for the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts, for their shows such as Chicago, Bring It On, and A Chorus Line. He also has designed scenic elements for other theatres and performance groups outside of Seminole State.
Josh is thankful to Rachel and his daughter Thea for supporting him in his theatrical endeavors. Josh also wants to thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!
Juno Kasner (Lighting Designer/Light Board Op)
This is Juno’s third show at Seminole State College. They are super excited to be able to work with all these amazing people. They are the light board operator, assistant lighting designer, and dramaturg. They have previously been sound board operator in Witches of Shakespeare and set prop crew in Mary Poppins at Seminole County Performing Arts, this was their favorite show. They would like to thank their friends for supporting them.
Christine Kindell (Box Office Coordinator)
Christine, a dedicated Seminole State College alum, brings ten years of experience to the theatre department. In her diverse roll as both the box office and fine arts coordinator, as well as the driving force behind the departments social media presence, she has refreshed our online participation. Her reliable commitment to students, peers, and the department is evident in her consistent willingness to go the extra mile. Christine has also participated in SSC’s Leadership Academy, Women Moving Forward, Career Service Council, and other committees. Enjoy the S-H-O-W!!
Lily Robertson (Stage Manager)
Lily has helped in many productions in her high school and College years. This is her last semester at Seminole State College and has been involved with backstage positions such as crew, costumes, props, sound and stage management. Lily has been involved in The Freeze (Read through), Lights Up on Students, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again), The Freeze, Black Comedy, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Witches of Shakespeare. Lily is so excited for the theatre productions that are soon to come. Enjoy the show!
About the Playwrights
The Farm was founded in 2000 by Rebecca Feldman, Artistic Director. It is a collective of writers and performers, including Jay Reiss, Dan Fogler, and Sarah Saltzberg. The Farm’s interst is in the role of improvisation in creating new work for the theatre. The Farm initially designates a two-week intensive period in which to discover, develop, and rehearse a play from the impulses borne mainly out of the pressure of a deadline. Previous projects include SUPER (at Atlantic Theatre Studios), Why I Hate Florida (workshop at White Wave in DUMBO) and C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E (at the Present Company Theatorium in October 2002), on which The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is based. The character and original dialogue of Beth Marguiles, Vice President Douglas Panch, Mr. Barfee, and Logon Schwarzengrubenierre were created by Rebecca Feldman, Jay Reiss, Dan Fogler, and Sarah Saltzber, respectively.
William Finn (Music/Lyrics) Mr. Finn is the writer and composer of Falsettos, for which he received two Tony Awards, Best Book of a Musical (with James Lapine) and Best Original Score. He has also written and composed In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland, received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, two Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, the Lucille Lortel Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship in Musical Composition. Mr. Finn wrote the lyrics to Graciela Daniele’s Tango Apasionado (music by the great Astor Piazollo) and, with Michael Starobin, the to Lapine’s version of The Winter’s Tale. His musical, Romance In Hard Times, was presented at the Public Theater. Recently, he wrote Painting You for Love’s Fire, a piece commissioned and performed by the Acting Company, based on Shakespeare’s sonnets. For television, Mr. Finn provided the music and lyrics fro the Ace Award-winning HBO cartoon Ira Sleeps Over, Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, Pokey Little Puppy’s First Christmas, and, with Ellen Fitzhugh, two Brave Little Toaster cartoons. Mr. Finn has written for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The New Yorker. A graduate of Williams College where he was awarded the Hutchinson Fellowship for Musical Composition, Finn now teaches a weekly master class at the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing. His most recent projects include Elegies, A Song Cycle (Lincoln Center) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which ran on Broadway and has been produced nationally and internationally, as well.
Rachel Sheinkin (Book) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Tony and Drama Desk Awards); Deaf West’s Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Los Angeles Ovation Award); Striking 12: A Groovelily Rock Musical (Lucille Lortel nomination); Serenade (Barhshnikov Dance Foundation fellowship); and Blood Drive.
Your Experience
Share you experience at Le Petit Théâtre at Seminole State College of Florida.
Scan the QR Code to post your review on Google.
Harriett Lake - Seminole State College Theatre's Benefactor
Harriett Lake’s philanthropic influence is evident throughout Central Florida. Not only was she a cheerleader for the arts, but a funder as well. Because of her support, Seminole State’s theatre program will continue to reap the benefits of her generosity for years to come.
Seminole State acknowledges with gratitude the $500,000 gift from Harriett Lake in 2015 that is now an endowed fund, honoring her legacy as reflected in the daily arts activity of the many students and patrons who attend theatre productions at the Seminole State College of Florida.
Harriett Lake grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania, served in the Marines during the Second World War, and moved to Florida after the war. When she met her husband HY there, they moved to Central Florida, where Hy was a developer. They made much of their money together developing land in Central Florida. The couple jointly donated vast sums to local Jewish temples and other nonprofit organizations. HY passed away in 2010, but by then Harriett was a reigning philanthropist. There are more than 25 sites in Central Florida that bear Harriett’s name. She passed away in 2018.
“I am the keeper of the arts alive, because somebody has to do it, and I now think of myself as an occupation.” – Harriett Lake
Support-an-Actor
Join us in celebrating this show and The Center for Fine & Performing Arts. With your help and donation, you will be making a HUGE impact on our theatre students to pursue their dreams. Your contribution will assist with classes, books, replenish lumber, tools, costumes and props-everything needed to guarantee the show goes on. Thank you for your continued support.
Donations by Check
Please make check payable: Foundation for Seminole State College
In the memo portion for: Support-an-Actor Fund
Mailing address:
Foundation for Seminole State College
Seminole State College of Florida
1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746
407.708.4400
All donations are tax deductible.
Donations by Credit Card
Visit Support Arts to make a donation or
scan the above QR code with your cellphone!
- Open your camera.
- Hover over the QR Code.
- Tap on app.neoncrm.com
- Select your donation of
Support-an-Actor (Theatre). - Choose your donation amount and fill out the rest.
We thank you for your gift!
