4 reasons “Putnam County Spelling Bee” is making a buzz

In less than a month, UNCSA’s Acting Out! community drama program will present “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Performed on UNCSA’s campus June 2–4, “Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be the first-ever musical featuring students in the program. 

It’s unlike any spelling bee you’ve attended… though you may have the opportunity to spell a word or two at one of the four performances. Here’s the buzz about this can’t-miss show: 

1. Kids will be kids

“Putnam County Spelling Bee” is often performed with adults in the roles of kids, but the Acting Out! cast is authentic—with actors in middle school and high school. “I kept gravitating to the clever, quirky characters in this show,” says Janine Hawley, director of the Acting Out! program. “The brilliance of music and text, and the positive message it leaves us with made it a great choice.”

2. A show with heart

This show will make you laugh… and cry, according to 10^th grader Meredith Brown, who is cast as introverted speller Olive Ostrovsky. “Olive is a quiet, introverted girl who often finds herself isolated from people,” says Brown. “But just because Olive is quiet does not mean she doesn't have a lot to say… When she gets the opportunity to talk, it's hard to stop her!”

Meet Meredith and the rest of the cast here: