
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Directed by Michael Hartsfield
Musically Directed by Mimi McGinniss
Produced by Maureen Rogers
Place: Laurel Mill Playhouse
508 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707
Dates & Times:
Saturday, February 11th from 11 am -1 pm
Sunday, February 12th from
5 pm -7 pm
Story:
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life-un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box. ~ MTI
Note: Despite the show being about young teens/pre-teens, it is actually an adult show with some of the humor coming from adults playing kids. We are looking for adult actors, 18+. Exceptions may be made-please email Maureen Rogers at lmp508main@gmail.com about possible exceptions. Furthermore, all roles are open to all genders.
Character Breakdown
Chip Tolentino
An athletic, social, boy scout and champion of the Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Douglas Panch
The Vice Principle. 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 affection.
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.
Carl Dad
Schwarzy’s main trainer is the more intense and competitive of Schwarzy’s fathers. Normally played by the 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.
Olive’s Mom
A fantasy version of Olive’s mom at her Ashram in India. Normally played by the actor playing Rona.
Folks auditioning should have a 32-bar cut (about 1 minute) of a Broadway-style song and may have cold readings from the script.
Rehearsals would be 2-3x per week depending on schedules and would begin the week of February 26.
Performances: 4/28-5/21. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays (5/14 and 5/21) at 2 pm.
For further information contact Maureen Rogers at lmp508main@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Auditions for Pirates of Penzance Directed and Musically Directed by Patrick Pase
Pianist – Mimi McGinniss
Produced by Maureen Rogers
Place: Laurel Mill Playhouse 508 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707
Dates & Times:
Thursday, December 15th at 7 pm
Saturday, December 17th at 10 am
Please come at beginning of audition time.
Be prepared to sing Broadway-style songs. Bring music for the pianist or bring your own accompanist. Bring CD to play or sing without music. Cold readings from script.
Music from Pirates of Penzance will be taught at end of the audition process.
If you want Penzance music prior to the audition, please email lmp508main@gmail.com.
Dates of show:
Performances are February 18, 2023 through March 12, 2023, on Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. No Friday Performances.
For further information contact Maureen Rogers at maureencrogers@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

Towards Zero
By Agatha Christie
Directed by Larry Simmons
Produced by Maureen Rogers
Produced by special arrangement with Concord
THE STORY: When a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of Lady Tressilian, Neville Strange finds himself caught between his old wife Audrey and his new flame Kay. A nail-biting thriller, the play probes the psychology of jealousy in the shadow of a savage and brutal murder. A carefully unpeeled investigation before our eyes brings the story to a pointed ending.
~ Concord Theatricals
Cast –
4 Women
7 Men
Mystery/Thriller
Audition dates and times:
Tuesday, November 22 at 7 pm
Monday, November 28 at 7 pm
Cold readings from the script.
Production dates and times: January 20 -February 5, 2023.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Normally the last 2 Sundays run at 2 pm.
Questions? Email Maureen Rogers at lmp508main@gmail.com or text/call 301-452-2557.

508 Main St
Laurel MD 20707
Presents
Auditions for Consecrated Ground
by George Boyd
Directed by Lorraine Brooks
Produced by Maureen Rogers
Stage Managed by Jana Michele King.
In Consecrated Ground, Nova Scotian playwright George Boyd retells the struggle of Africville’s residents to save their homes and their dignity. With tremendous wit and gravity, George Boyd takes us back to Africville on the verge of extinction, making us a gift of characters believable in their vulnerabilities, their courage and their outrage.
Auditions will be cold readings from the script. All roles are open except for the role of Clarice. Please email your resume to Director Lorraine Brooks at lbrooks127@yahoo.com prior to auditions.
Audition Dates & Times:
Saturday, January 28th, 2pm -4pm
Sunday, January 29th, 7pm -9pm
CONSECRATED GROUND CHARACTERS
CLARICE LYLE – Black female lead, 40-50, native of Africville
WILLEM LYLE – Black male lead, 30-40, husband of Clarice. Not a native of Africville
SARAH LIED (pronounced LEED) – Black female, 60+, described as the “matriarch” of Africville
JIMMY “Double Speak” WILLIS – Black male, age unspecified. Native of Africville. Stutters, and thus, the nickname.
GROOVEY PETERS – Black female, unspecified age, originally from the Caribbean, “Loose woman” in the town
TOM CLANCY – White male, 20-40, naïve social worker who does not completely understand or sympathize with the perspectives of the residents
REVEREND MINER – Black male, unspecified age. Minister of the Seaview Baptist Church, the main church in Africville.
Performances March 24, 25, 31 and April 1, 2, 7, 8.
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm.
For further information contact Producer Maureen Rogers at lmp508main@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.