House Manager* 6:30 p.m. – End of show (Friday/Saturday) or 1 p.m. – End of show (Sundays) *Prior house manager or usher experience is required for this position. *The House Manager must remain in the lobby for the duration of the performance to handle any issues that may arise.
Box Office Lead* 6 – 7:45 p.m. (Friday/Saturday) or 1 – 2:15 p.m. (Sundays) *Training or prior experience is required for this position.
Birmingham Village Players is looking ahead to an exciting milestone as we prepare for our 105th season in 2027–2028, and we’re looking for directors to help bring our next season to life!
We invite both experienced and emerging directors to submit proposals for productions they would love to direct at BVP. Whether you have a favorite show you’ve been eager to bring to the stage or an exciting idea that would be a great fit for our theatre, we want to hear from you.
Potential Shows for the 2027–2028 Season
As we begin planning our upcoming season, we are considering the following titles. Directors are encouraged to submit proposals for any of these shows.
Directors may express interest in multiple shows. However, to help us manage the season-planning process and schedule interviews efficiently, we ask that each director prepare to present proposals for no more than two shows during their interview. If you are interested in several titles, please identify your top two choices to discuss.
Ready to Share Your Vision?
Please complete our online Director Application to share your show preferences, directing experience, and vision for the production.
Once your application has been submitted, BVP Board President Kevin Fitzhenry will reach out to you to schedule a director interview as part of our season-planning process.
New to Directing at BVP? Join Our Online Director’s Workshop!
All potential directors are invited to attend an online Director’s Workshop on Wednesday,October 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more about directing at Birmingham Village Players, understand our production process and expectations, and ask questions about bringing a show to our stage.
Whether you’re a longtime BVP member or interested in getting involved for the first time, we encourage you to join us!
Additional details, including the meeting link, will be shared soon.
We’re excited to see the creativity, talent, and ideas our community brings to BVP’s 105th season. Thank you for helping us continue to tell great stories and keep community theatre thriving in Birmingham.
Have Questions? Email the Board of Directors President, Kevin Fitzhenry, at kmfitz03@gmail.com
Break a leg!
Kevin Fitzhenry
President, Board of Directors
Birmingham Village Players
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee This Tony Award-winning musical about a group of quirky middle schoolers competing in a spelling bee features audience participation, witty dialogue and memorable characters to explore the themes of victory, self-acceptance, and the awkwardness of growing up. Rated PG-13 for mild sexual content.
Audition Information
Auditions: Saturday, October 17 at 2:00pm & Sunday, October 18th at 2:00pm
Video Auditions are allowed, but in-person auditions are encouraged. To submit your video audition, complete the Audition Form and e-mail your video to laura.melton@birminghamvillageplayers.com
Rehearsals will begin Monday, October 26th. Rehearsals may be held Monday, Tuesday & Wednesdays (7p-10p) but are subject to change based on cast/crew availability.
Co-Choreographers: John Luther & Shalayla Williams
Co-Producers: Laura Melton, Jay Kaplan, Anne Marie Slee
Character Descriptions
We plan to cast 13 performers for this production (18+):
Chip Tolentino
An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Open to male presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere (Schwartzy)
Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures. She is driven by internal and external pressure, but above all by a desire to win to make her two fathers proud. She is somewhat of a neat freak, speaks with a lisp, and will be back next year. Open to female presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Leaf Coneybear
The second runner-up in his district, Leaf gets into the competition on a lark and finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. Open to male presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2
William Barfee
A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. His famous “Magic Foot” method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive. Open to male presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Marcy Park
The ultimate over-achiever, Marcy has never been given another option. She comes from a family where excellence is expected and so simply produced. A parochial school student, she assumes God, too, expects perfection. She sees herself as a mass of problems but she keeps them to herself. Having moved often because of her parents’ work, she knows she can beat the local competition. Her many talents include piano, dance, martial arts, baton twirling, and/or whatever special gifts you can find in your casting pool. Open to female presenting actors of Asian descent.
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Olive Ostrovsky
A young newcomer to competitive spelling. Her mother is in an ashram in India, and her father is working late, as usual, but he is trying to come sometime during the bee. Having found comfort in its words and vastness, Olive made friends with her dictionary at a very young age, helping her to make it to the competition. She starts enormously shy, and shyly blossoms. Open to female presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Rona Lisa Peretti
The number-one realtor in Putnam County, a former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion herself, and the returning moderator. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward. Open to female presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Douglas Panch
The Vice Principal. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. After five years’ absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge. There was an “incident” at the Twentieth Annual Bee, but he claims to be in “a better place” now, thanks to a high-fiber diet and Jungian analysis. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections. Open to male presenting actors of all ethnicities.
Gender: male
Mitch Mahoney
The Official Comfort Counselor. An ex-convict, Mitch is performing his community service with the Bee, and hands out juice boxes to losing students. He has no idea how to offer comfort, but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better. Open to male presenting black actors
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Carl Dad
Schwarzy’s main trainer, the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers. Normally played by actor playing Leaf.
Dan Dad
the more laid back and ineffectual of Schwarzy’s fathers. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Jesus Christ
Deity invoked by a speller in need. Normally played by the actor playing Chip.
Leaf’s Mom, Dad, And Siblings
All more academically gifted than Leaf, they are even more surprised than he is by his success. Normally played by the spellers and audience volunteers as indicated in the script.
Olive’s Dad
A fantasy version of Olive’s dad coming to the bee from work. Normally played by the actor playing Mitch.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Olive’s Mom
A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
