STATEBILL
DEPARTMENT OF THEATER
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
CREATIVE TEAM
Chip Tolentino .............................................................................................. Ty Eller *
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre .......................................................... Olivia Medina
Leaf Coneybear ...................................................................................... James Jordan
William Barfee .......................................................................................... Noah Gable
Marcy Park..............................................................................................Aicha Maidi*
Olive Ostrovsky ....................................................................................Arianna Sewell
Rona Lisa Perretti ............................................................................ Brielle Armstrong
Vice Principal Douglas Panch ................................................................ Cannon Roop*
Mitch Mahoney .................................................................................... Maura O’Toole
* = Member of Alpha Psi Omega, the national collegiate theater honor society
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
This show runs approximately 90 minutes. There will NOT be an intermission.
Any photography, video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
CONTENT WARNING
This production contains adult language and sexually suggestive content.
CAST SETTING
The Putnam County High School Gymnasium. The Present.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
“The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” ....................... Chip, Rona, Leaf Logainne, Barfee, Marcy, Olive
“The Rules” .....................................................................Panch, Rona, Mitch, Spellers
“My Friend the Dictionary” ......................... Olive, Chip, Leaf, Logainne, Rona, Company
“Pandemonium”................................. Chip, Olive, Logainne, Leaf, Barfee, Marcy, Mitch
“I’m Not That Smart”........................................................................................... Leaf
“Magic Foot”................................................................................... Barfee, Company
“Pandemonium (Reprise)” ..................................................................Mitch, Company
“My Favorite Moment of the Bee (Rona Moment #2)” ........................................... Rona
“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor”......................................................Mitch, Company
“My Unfortunate Erection (Chip’s Lament)”.......................................................... Chip
“Woe Is Me” ...................................................................Logainne, Carl, Dan, Company
“Spelling Montage” ............................................................................. Panch, Spellers
“I’m Not That Smart (Reprise)” ............................................................................ Leaf
“I Speak Six Languages” .................................................. Marcy, Logainne, Olive, Rona
“Jesus” ........................................................................... Marcy, Logainne, Olive, Rona
“The I Love You Song”................................................... Olive, Olive’s Mom, Olive’s Dad
“Woe is Me (Reprise)” ........................................................................ Logainne, Mitch
“My Favorite Moment of the Bee (Rona Moment #3)” ........................................... Rona
“Second” ................................................................................ Barfee, Olive, Company
“Finale” ...................................................................................................... Company
PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager & Lighting Supervisor ..................................................................... Michael Jackson
Technical Director, Scene Shop & Properties Supervisor ......................................................... Jim Koehnle
Costume Shop Supervisor ............................................................................................... Alexis Pritchard
Associate Music Director & Rehearsal Accompanist ................................................................ Kurt Perry
Assistant Music Director .................................................................................................... James Jordan
Assistant Lighting Designer ................................................................................................... Eli Wheeler
Assistant Sound Designer ................................................................................................. Cannon Roop*
Assistant Stage Managers...................................................................... Alanna Thomas, Melody Freeman
Dance Captain .......................................................................................................................... Ty Eller*
Lead Scenic Coordinator ........................................................................................... Sophia Greenwood^
Scenic Coordinator .......................................................................................................... Addison Roop^
Lead Scenic Carpenters ............................................................................. Paul Bontrager^, Gavin Kunst^
Scenic Carpenters .................................................................................. Cannon Roop^, Dakota Uselton^
Scenic Artists Natalie Brower^, Shy Drake, Layla Kanazeh^
Scenic Run Crew .............................................................................. Dakota Uselton, Aengus McCullough
Costume Shop Staff ........................................................... Quinn Brickley^, Carter Buehl^, James Jordan^ Brenton Kessinger*^, Baylee Millis^, Maura O’Toole^
Stitchers .................................................................................................................. THTR 271 Students
Wardrobe Head ......................................................................................................... Brenton Kessinger*
Wardrobe Run Crew ................................Georgia Calhoun, Mack Dortch, Cierra Gaines, Madison Pischner*
Electricians ............................................................................................ Paul Bontrager^, Luke Francis*^
Electrics Crew ............................... THTR 102: Intro to Theater Production, THTR 274: Theater Technology
Light Board Operator ........................................................................................................ Natalie Brower
Followspot Operators .............................................................................. Asher Bulanda, Skylar Fettinger
Sound Engineer .............................................................................................................. Brian Schroeder
Assistant Sound Engineers ................................................................. Sophia Greenwood, Spencer Hinton
Sound & Projection Assistant......................................................................................... Spencer Hinton^
Sound Board Operator ............................................................................................................. Will Harris
Properties Coordinator .................................................................................Spencer Hinton, Gavin Kunst
Properties Artisans ..................................................... Georgia Calhoun^, Layla Kanazeh^, Addison Roop^
Administration & Box Office Manager .............................................................................. Crystal Johnson
Assistant Company Managers ...................................... Georgia Calhoun^, Koryn Gooch^, Spencer Hinton^
Marketing Director & Front of House Supervisor ......................................................................... Alicia Jay
Marketing Assistants ....................... Rebecca Baxter^, Tharon Hibbard^, Cannon Roop*^, Armung Taramu^
Poster Design............................................................................ Sage Lundquist - www.sagelundquist.art
Box Office & Concessions Staff .................................................................... Rebecca Baxter^, Sky Wood^
House Managers ......................................... Luke Francis, Aengus McCullough, Addison Roop, Mack Wallen
Ushers ................................................................................................................ ISU Student Volunteers
WHO’S WHO
BRIELLE ARMSTRONG
Actor: Rona Lisa Peretti
Brielle (she/her) is making her Indiana State University Department of Theater debut in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Some of her favorite roles include Donna in MAMMA MIA (GSTD), Rusty in FOOTLOOSE(GSTD), Tracy Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY (GCYT), and many other high school and summer musical productions. Brielle is a freshman theater major, with a minor in digital and media communications.
PAUL BONTRAGER Stage Manager
Paul (he/him) is a junior theater major with a minor in French from Seymour, Indiana. This is his eighth show that he has been involved with here at Indiana State University, and this is the third show he has stage managed. Previous stage managements credits at ISU include AIRNESS and THE DANCE SHOW.
TY ELLER
Actor: Chip Tolentino
Ty (he/him) is a sophomore theater, dance, and arts administration student from Pineville, West Virginia. Ty has performed at Indiana State University (REEFER MADNESS, RIDE THE CYCLONE, HAMLET, etc.) and professionally at Theatre West Virginia (INTO THE WOODS, FOOTLOOSE, HATFIELDS & MCCOYS, HONEY IN THE ROCK). He sends love and gratitude to his family, mentors, and those West Virginia hills!
MELODY FREEMAN
Assistant Stage Manager
Melody (she/her) is participating in her first production at the Indiana State University Department of Theater. She previously stage managed four productions at Center Grove High School. Melody is a first-year secondary social studies education major from Greenwood, Indiana.
NOAH GABLE
Actor: William Barfee
Noah (he/him) is a sophomore theater major with a minor in media production. This will mark his third mainstage show here at Indiana State University, having assistant stage managed SENSITIVE GUYS and appearing as Ralph in REEFER MADNESS. Noah serves as Treasurer for the ISU Student Theatre Association.
WHO’S WHO
SOPHIA GREENWOOD Assistant Sound Engineer
This is Sophia’s (she/her) sixth production with the Indiana State University Department of Theater. Previous credits include DANCE SHOW (Lighting Designer), REEFER MADNESS (A2), MISERY (Properties Head), AIRNESS (Properties Assistant), and HAMLET (Sound Operator) at ISU. She also has choreographed ANASTASIA and MARY POPPINS in Dubois County, IN. Sophia is a senior music liberal arts major from Santa Claus, Indiana.
NORMAN R. HANSON
Music Director
Mr. Hanson is a graduate of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. While at Northwestern he studied trombone and euphonium with Frank Crisafulli of the Chicago Symphony and conducting with John Paynter and Frederick Fennell. Mr. Hanson has taught music at all levels from elementary to college for over thirty years and currently serves as the symphony orchestra and jazz ensemble director at The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Norman is also the Worship Leader at Christ Community Church in Brazil, Indiana. He maintains an active schedule as a performer on the trombone and euphonium performing in the Terre Haute Symphony, The Men of Note, The Brazil Concert Band, and The Big Fun Band. Norman has written arrangements which can be heard on recordings by such local artists as Don Morris, Dicky James and The Blue Flames, and The Nobodies. He has also recorded with Philharmonia A’ Vent (as well as some of his THCB colleagues) a professional recording wind orchestra.
SPENCER HINTON Asst. Sound Engineer, Props Coordinator
Spencer is a sophomore theater major at Indiana State University. This is their first time working props on a production. They have previously worked as a sound engineer in REEFER MADNESS at Indiana State and THE WIZARD OF OZ at Crossroads Repertory Theatre. They hope you enjoy the show!
JAMES JORDAN
Actor: Leaf Coneybear
James is a junior music education major and theatre minor. He is excited to appear in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE as Leaf Coneybear. Some roles you may know him from include The Lecturer in REEFER MADNESS and Noel in RIDE THE CYCLONE with Indiana State University’s Department of Theater as well as Perch Perkins in SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL, Sorcerer Druid in PRINCESS PIGFACE, and TinMan in THE WIZARD OF OZ with Crossroads Repertory Theatre.
WHO’S WHO
BRENTON KESSINGER Wardrobe Head
Brenton (he/him) is a junior theater and English literature major from Owensboro, Kentucky. His previous costuming experience at Indiana State University includes SENSITIVE GUYS (Wardrobe Head), REEFER MADNESS (Wardrobe Crew) and 24HOUR PLAY FEST (Costume Coordinator). He has also costume designed for the last two Student Theatre Association productions.
GAVIN KUNST Properties Coordinator
Gavin is a theater major at Indiana State University. He’s from Indianapolis, Indiana, and is excited to be involved in productions at ISU. Gavin has acted in shows in high school such as THE LITTLE MERMAID and RADIUM GIRLS.
OLIVIA MEDINA
Actor: Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre
Olivia (she/her) is a junior theater major with a concentration in acting. Olivia’s most notable roles with the Indiana State University Department of Theater have been Caliban in THE TEMPEST, Elizabeth Bennet in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and Melinda/Pamela/Harley in ACCOMPLICE. Olivia is the current Publicist for the ISU Student Theatre Association.
AICHA MAIDI
Actor: Marcy Park
Aicha (she/her) is a junior theater major at Indiana State University from Brownsburg, Indiana. Aicha has been in several other ISU mainstage productions including HAMLET (Ophelia), REEFER MADNESS (Mary Lane), and ACCOMPLICE (Rupert). She is excited for everyone to attend the show and hopes they enjoy all the work the cast and crew have put into it!
ADAM NETHERY Sound Designer
Adam (they/them) is a theater major at Indiana State University and has contributed to SENSITIVE GUYS and AIRNESS as a sound assistant. They are thrilled to make their debut as a sound designer.
WHO’S WHO
MAURA O’TOOLE
Actor: Mitch Mahoney
Maura is a second-year student at Indiana State University. She is a theater major, but also studies art history and anthropology. Maura has previously appeared on the ISU mainstage as a member of the ensemble in REEFER MADNESS. When not on stage, she can be found working in the costume shop or on wardrobe crew. Maura hopes you enjoy the show!
CANNON ROOP
Actor: Vice Principal Douglass Panch/Asst. Sound Designer Cannon is a junior at Indiana State University. This will be his eighth show at Indiana State University. His favorite performance was playing Mr. Darcy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
ARIANNA SEWELL
Actor: Olive Ostrovsky
Arianna (she/her) is a junior at Indiana State University majoring in digital communication & multimedia with a minor in theatre acting. A Terre Haute native, she was most recently seen in the ensemble of THE WIZARD OF OZ with Crossroads Repertory Theatre. Arianna is dedicated to advancing her craft and connecting with audiences through meaningful performance. She is beyond grateful for her family and fiancé’s unwavering love and support.
ALANNA THOMAS
Assistant Stage Manager
This is Alanna’s (she/her) fourth production at Indiana State University and her second time on the stage management team. Her other production credits include Assistant Stage Manager (AIRNESS), Projections Operator (RIDE THE CYCLONE), and producer for the 2025 24-HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL. Alanna is a sophomore theater major from Henryville, IN.
ELI WHEELER
Assistant Lighting Designer
Eli is a theater major from Indiana. Previous show credits at Indiana State University include THE TEMPEST (Run Crew), BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY (Run Crew), PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Usher), HAMLET (Assistant Production Manager), and REEFER MADNESS (Followspot Operator). Acting credits include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Camper) and ROMEO AND JULIET (Guard), both at Depauw University.
JULIE DIXON Direction
Julie earned her BA in Liberal Arts from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she majored in Biology and minored in English and Theatre. After her graduation, she spent several years as a resident actor with The Children’s Theatre of Massachusetts, while also performing with several other New England theatre companies including the Foothills Theatre, Hampshire Shakespeare Company, and New Century Theatre. Dixon next earned her MFA in Acting from California State University, Long Beach, and moved to Terre Haute upon graduation to become the Head of Acting for the Department of Theater at Indiana State University. She teaches all levels of acting classes, from beginning to advanced, and Voice for the Actor. She regularly performs with Crossroads Repertory Theatre, the Department of Theater’s summer company, where some of her favorite roles have included the Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET, Justine/the Mate in FRANKENSTEIN, and Mrs. Whatsit in A WRINKLE IN TIME. Locally she has performed for The Phoenix Theatre, Summit Performance Indianapolis and Actor’s Theatre of Indiana in Indianapolis, the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington, and the Shawnee Theatre of Greene County. She also directs for the Department during the academic year, and her favorite shows have included Meg Miroshnik’s FAIRYTALE LIVES OF RUSSIAN GIRLS, J. CAESAR, an all-female, post-apocalyptic version of Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAESAR, and Moises Kaufman’s 33 VARIATIONS.
MICHAEL JACKSON Lighting Design
Michael has designed lighting for ROMEO AND JULIET, THE CAY, and THE LITTLE CHOO CHOO THAT THINKS SHE CAN at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Other regional theatre credits include ten productions for the former Cardinal Stage company, including NEXT TO NORMAL, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. He has also designed for the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, and the Florida Studio Theatre. For Crossroads Repertory Theatre he has designed scenery and/or lighting for 12 seasons, as well as serving as Director of Production since 2015. For the Department of Theater at Indiana State University, Michael serves as Associate Professor and Production Manager as well as resident Lighting and Scenic designer. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Evansville, and his MFA in Design for Stage and Film from NYU.
WHO’S WHO
JIM KOEHNLE Scenic Design
Jim has been working in the technical theatre industry for over 25 years. Most recently, Jim spent one year as the Assistant Professor of Theatrical Design and Technology at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Jim spent 9 years as the managing director, technical director, and resident scenic designer for Seagle Festival, in the Adirondack region of Upstate New York. Jim’s scenic designs at Seagle Festival included LITTLE WOMEN, SWEENEY TODD, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, FALSTAFF, ROMEO AND JULIET, WITH BLOOD WITH INK, and the world premiere of ROSCOE. Jim was the associate scenic designer for the world premiere production of VOIRE DIRE at Fort Worth Opera, and the associate scenic designer for the world premiere of THE FALLING AND THE RISING at Texas Christian University. Jim has worked as a props artisan and props carpenter for The Virginia Stage Company and Syracuse Stage. Jim received his BFA in Production Design and Technology from Ohio University, and his MFA in Scenic Design from Kent State University.
TERESA MCCULLOUGH
Choreography
Teresa earned her BS in Dance Performance from Indiana University. Following graduation, she was hired by the Indiana State University Physical Education Department as a “special purpose” faculty member in Dance. During her first year of teaching, she established a long-standing relationship with the ISU Department of Theater--where Dance is now housed--and completed an MA in Communications/Theater. She is the Advisor and sole faculty member for the Dance Minor and Dance Elective programs. Professional experience includes Crossroads Repertory Theater and Bill Evans Dance Company. Her favorite choreographic productions include EVERYMAN, RENT, and RING OF FIRE.
GRACE MUÑOZ
Costume Design
Grace (she/her) is the Assistant Professor of Costume Design and Construction at Indiana State University. She earned her undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University and her MFA in Costume Design from the University of Idaho. Grace is a costume designer and technician from Chicago, IL and has previously worked at Opera Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, New York where she worked with Tony Award-winning designer Mimi Lien. Grace has also worked regionally at The Drury Lane Theatre, Crossroads Repertory Theatre, Maples Repertory Theatre, Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Constellations Stage and Screen, and the Lilly Theater at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She is also a member of USITT, the Women and Theatre Program, and the Costume Society of America.
WHO’S WHO
WILLIAM FINN
Music and Lyrics
Mr. Finn was 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 also wrote and composed In Trousers, March of the Falsettos and Falsettolsnd (Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, two Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, the Lucille Lortel Award, and Guggenheim Fellowship in Musical Composition). Mr. Finn wrote the lyrics to Graciela Daniele’s Tango Apasionado (music by the great Astor Piazzolla) and, with Michael Starobin, the music to Lapine’s version of The Winter’s Tale. His musical, Romance in Hard Times, was presented at the Public Theater. He wrote Painting You for Love’s Fire, a piece commissioned and performed bye the Acting Company, based on Shakepeare’s sonnets. For television, Mr. Finn provided the music and lyrics for 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 wrote 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 taught a weekly master class at the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing. Other 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
Broadway: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Tony, Drama Desk awards); Off Broadway: STRIKING 12 (Lucille Lortel nomination), Off-Off: SERENADE. Regional: Guthrie, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE; Center Theater Group, SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKES (Los Angeles Ovation Award); London: BLOOD DRIVE. Residencies, fellowships, commissions include: Eugene O’Neill National Theater Center, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Manhattan Theatre Club, Deaf West, McCarter Theatre, Playwrights Horizons. Rachel is a volunteer mentor for TDF’s Open Doors program, a visiting instructor at Yale School of Drama, and adjunct faculty member of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.
WHO’S WHO
REBECCA FELDMAN Concept
Rebecca Feldman is the conceiver of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for which she won a Lucille Lortel Award, Drama Desk and Tony Nomination for Best Musical. She directed its world premiere at Barrington Stage Company in the summer of 2004. Rebecca is Associate Producer on TRANSPARENT, the MUSICAL FINALE and served as Staff Writer on the finale as well. She is currently developing an episodic drama with Big Kid Pictures, called LA COYOTE, which has been selected to the WeForShe’s 2019 Writeher List. She is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab as well as the AFI Directing Workshop for Women where she won the Jean Firstenburg Award for Best Short. Her short films include, MY FIRST TIME DRIVING (AFI Jean Firstenburg Award, Best Short at Lake Arrowhead Film Fest, Best of Shorts at Outfest), A/V CLUB (TV Pilot, NYTVF), UBER ALICE (Woodstock Film Fest), DEAD CAT (Producer, Tribeca Film Fest) and IRVING (Official Selection Rhode Island Film Fest, Official Selection USA Film Fest, Ft. Lauderdale Film Fest, Atlanta Jewish Film Fest).
JAY REISS Additional Material
Jay Reiss is a playwright. He is a Julliard graduate and provided additional material to the book for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Reiss appeared in the original workshops, Off-Broadway cast, and Broadway cast of the musical as Vice Principal Douglas Panch.
THE FARM
Original Play
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 interest 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 “Logan Schwarzengrubenierre” were created by Rebecca Feldman, Jay Reiss, Dan Fogler, and Sarah Saltzberg, respectively.
THEATER FACULTY & STAFF
Chris Berchild........................................ Department Chair | Projection & Sound Design
Julie Dixon ..................................................................................... Acting | Movement
Michael Jackson ................................................. Lighting Design | Production Manager
Alicia Jay................................. Administration & Management | Introduction to Theater
Crystal Johnson ...................................... Administrative Assistant | Box Office Manager
Jim Koehnle ............................................... Technical Director | Scene Shop Supervisor
Tresa Makosky .......................................... Stage Management | Introduction to Theater
Teresa McCullough ............................................................................................Dance
Grace Muñoz ......................... Costume Design & Construction | Introduction to Theater
Alexis Pritchard .................................................................... Costume Shop Supervisor
Nate Schmidt New Media
