Auditions Open For Fall Musical At Napa Valley College

NAPA, CA – Napa Valley College Performing Arts is accepting video auditions for its fall musical production, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

The one-act musical stages a spelling bee contest against a backdrop of drama. There are nine primary characters: six spelling bee contestants, including last year's champ, and three administrators, including a felon doing community service. Each has a distinct personality that contributes to the intrigue as the spelling bee unfolds. A small supporting cast helps keep the action interesting and move the story along.

The deadline to submit auditions is Aug. 15 and rehearsals begin Aug. 30.

Performances of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" run Nov. 5-7 and 12-14 in the Performing Arts Center at Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway in Napa.

To audition, prepare a video performing a 30-second to 1-minute song excerpt plus a joke, then upload it to YouTube or Vimeo and send the video link to MHamilton@napavalley.edu by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Those cast in the production must be 16 or older and must enroll in the corresponding Napa Valley College Theater Arts course upon admission. Students must show documentation they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 —or request an exemption — to enroll.

Olivia Cowell, Napa Valley College's theater adjunct instructor, is the director of this production, and the music director is Dr. Christina Howell, coordinator of music/director of vocal studies at NVC.