CofC Stages proudly presents
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
April 11-16, 2025
Simons Center Emmett Robinson Theatre
Director: Peter Spearman
Costume Designer: Ashlyn Denham
Scenic Designer: Jonathan Wentz
Lighting Designers: Alex Jones
Choreographer: Charlie Maybee
Music Director: Meredith Lane
Technical Director: JD Stallings
Costume Shop Manager: Savannah Blake
Stage Manager: Olivia Maness
Jump to: Cast | Musical Numbers | Production Team | Director’s Note | Acknowledgments | Cast and Production Team Biographies
Cast
| Role | Actor |
| Rona Lisa Peretti | Taylor Bussey |
| Douglas Panch | Sam Rhodes |
| Mitch Mahoney | Drake Carney |
| Olive Ostrovsky | Jenna Bush |
| William Barfee | Benji Gray-Miller |
| Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre | Emma Feeny |
| Marcy Park | Ellie Schrupp |
| Leaf Coneybear | Peyton Grant |
| Chip Tolentino | Noah Whisonant |
| Olive/Rona Understudy | Grace Ratledge |
| Schwartzy Understudy | AK Dennis |
| Panch/Mitch/Coneybear Understudy | Gable Hirlston |
| Chip/Barfée Understudy | Paeton Patterson |
| Hosts of Yesteryear | Lucas Yeh |
Setting: The Emmett Robinson Theatre set up for a spelling bee
THIS PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED IN ONE ACT WITHOUT AN INTERMISSION
Musical Numbers
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Spelling Rules/My Favorite Moment of the Bee
My Friend, the Dictonary
The First Goodbye
Pandemonium
I’m Not That Smart
The Second Goodbye
Magic Foot
Pandemonium (Reprise)/My Favorite Moment of the Bee 2
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
My Unfortunate Erection (Chip’s Lament)
Woe Is Me
Spelling Montage
I’m Not That Smart (Reprise)
I Speak Six Languages
Jesus
The I Love You Song
Woe is Me (Reprise)
My Favorite Moment of the Bee 3/Second
Olive & Barfee Pas De Deux
Finale
The Last Goodbye
Production Team
CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance: Gretchen McLaine
Assistant Director: Emma Bennett
Assistant Stage Managers: Lauren Evans, Dailyn Mincey
Assistant Choreographers: Lexi DeBo, Halle White
Production Manager: Miles Boinest
Stage Management Advisors: Miles Boinest, Caleb S. Garner
Scenic Design Assistant (Decor & Paint Research): Tovah Levenson
Scenic Design Assistant (Props Research): Kelsey Beckett
Scenic Charge: Tovah Levenson
Scenic Artist: Jonathan Wentz
Properties Charge: Jonathan Wentz
Properties Room Manager: Riley Taylor
Assistant Technical Director: Isabella Gardner
Carpenters: Justin Martin, Georgia Rudd, Students of THTR 209 – Stagecraft.
Scene Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre and Dance with support from donor funding): Cheyenne Comitz, Lauren Evans, Isabella Gardner, Maddy Hall, Stephen Hand, Olivia Maness, Lucas Peine, Jacob Rye, Aidan Wunderley
Costume Design Advisor: Janine McCabe
Hair & Make-Up Design: Ashlyn Denham
Wardrobe Supervisor: Alyssa Guardino
Sewing & Alterations: Students of THTR 240: Costume I,
Wardrobe Crew: Evy Massey-Burkett, Corrina Castillo, Nicolette Hochstetler
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre and Dance with support from donor funding): Zoe Jocassee Barber, Bailey Beasenburg, Ashlyn Denham, Laila Hall, Evy Massey-Burkett, Eva Razzi, Jenna Wiliamson
Lighting Design Advisor: Lauren Duffie
Head Electrician: Abby Israel
Electricians: Noah Whisonant, Paeton Patterson, Emma Feeney, Ellie Shrupp, Jacob Rye, Maddie Hall, Amber dunton, Olivia Maness, Mia D’Angelo, Quinn Mills, Lilly Mueller, Gable Hirlston, Benji Gray-Miller, Hannah Moore, Chris Warzynski
Electric Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre and Dance with support from donor funding): Bootsie Baldwin, Abby Israel, Alex Jones, Hannah Moore, Chris Warzynski
Light Board Programmer: Quinn Mills
Light Board Operator: Jake Cisson
Follow Spot Operators: Amber Dunton, Leila Crane
Sound Design Advisor: Caleb S. Garner
Sound Engineer: Jacob Reiss
A2: Rebecca Jordan
Sound Board Operator: Meredith Lane
Run Crew: Jaelin LaVanway, Ashleigh Parker
Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: David Mandel
Publicity & Social Media: Maddie LaBarge, Kaylee Phillips, Jacob Reiss
Office Assistant: Emma Bennett
Box Office: George Street Box Office
Special Thanks: Edward Crouse, Babas, Addi Spearman, Rehearsal Volunteers (seriously!), Jayme Host, Ambernice Toliver, Susan Kattwinkel, Chris Warzynski, Aiden Wunderley, Gabe Pires, Ryan Wartenberg, Madelein Hanson, Caroline Capra, LK Karabulut, Susan Spearman, Emily Piggot, and our nightly “Marigolds”
Director’s Note
“When I get powers, I will remember what it felt like to be human.” -Brad Neely, Baby Cakes- Diary #1
Probably should have prefaced this quotation with a disclaimer that I nurtured a love for YouTube cartoons and memes as a tween– a phase that I’m totally out of. My younger brothers and I still have entire conversations that are quotations from series or videos like Baby Cakes, Salad Fingers, and Annoying Orange, to name a few. There was a time when admitting this would have embarrassed me, but not now.
Rona laments that these kids are at a “hard age.” It’s true but, the people around them aren’t making it any easier for these kids. Critically, this show asks us to simultaneously reflect on childhood and adolescence while considering our own reactions and responsibility to those in that stage of life. I’m sure– if pressed– you could think of someone that could’ve been softer with you at times or more supportive at others.
As we get further from this time in our lives, let’s not forget what it felt like to be in it. While so much of life may be unfair, let’s find more moments to laugh with each other and fewer to laugh at.
-PS
Thank you to all of our donors!
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As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!
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PATRON up to $99
Dean Adams, Jennifer Asouzu, Arsalan Baig, Malcolm Baldwin, Chris Burgess, Henderson Cole, Carmella Della-Peruta, Irina Gigova, Maegan Gudridge, Cianne Maloney, Katie Martin, Thomas McCabe, Todd McNerney, Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Kerri Needle, Shelby North, Erin Percy, Eli Salas, Anna Stephenson, Jean Robinson, Joseph Willingham
Land Acknowlegement
We would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians).
We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations.
We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina.
On this campus and in this space, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.
Cast and Production Team Biographies
Emma Bennett (Assistant Director) is a sophomore Theatre Performance major with a minor in Arts Management. Emma’s CofC credits include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Ragg), Dracula (Mina Harker), and Die Fledermaus (assistant stage manager). Emma would like to thank Dr. Spearman for being the coolest and most supportive mentor out there!
Jenna Bush (Olive Ostrovsky) is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Theatre from St. Louis, MO. Other MainStage credits include Dracula, Die Fledermaus, Pippin, In Love and Warcraft, and Becoming We. She was also seen in Too Much Light… and Firebringer with Center Stage. Regional credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde, Chicago, and Footloose with the St. Louis MUNY as well as Sweeney Todd with Debut Theatre Company. She would like to thank everyone involved in the production for this incredible experience filled with so much dedication, love, and play. She would like to specifically thank Dr. Spearman for entrusting her with this dream of a role and for his constant support throughout the process.
Taylor Bussey (Rona Lisa Peretti) (she/her) transferred to CofC this year as a Junior majoring in Theatre (Performance) and Arts Management. She previously received her Musical Theatre Certification from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Previous credits include In Love and Death, OVAA’s Concert Series in Germany, and more. She’d like to thank her mother, grandparents, co-workers, and new-found friends for their continuous support. She’d also like to thank Dr. Peter Spearman for his brilliance and trust in her as well as the outstanding crew and design teams for their artistic collaboration in creating the world of the musical.
Drake Carney (Mitch Mahoney) (he/him) is a junior majoring in Theatre (Performance) with a certificate in Musical Theatre and minoring in French. He is so excited to be returning to the mainstage in another musical after Pippin last year. Other CofC credits include Dracula, Die Fledermaus, and as music director for The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Center Stage). He’d like to thank Peter Spearman, this loving cast and wonderful creative team for being the coolest group ever and bringing this show to life.
Ashlyn Denham (Costume Designer) is a Senior majoring in Theatre (Costume Design) from Charleston, West Virginia. Her credits include costume design for What Comes Next and Pathways as well as assistant costume design for Die Fledermaus. This is her last show at the college as a student and she would like to thank the cast, crew, Dr. Peter Spearman and Janine McCabe for making this last show such a meaningful experience.
AK Dennis (Marcy/Logan Understudy) is a freshman at the College of Charleston majoring in Theatre. She is incredibly thankful for Kris for all their support, and the incredible cast, crew, and Peter Spearman for their amazing work and kindness.
Lauren Evans is a Senior at CofC. She is majoring in Theater (Performance). She is currently acting in the Istoria podcast. She wants to thank Olivia Maness and Miles Boinest for her first opportunity to ASM, and her fellow cast and crew members for making this such a great experience! She also wants to thank you, without your support this wouldn’t be possible.
Emma Feeney (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre) is a freshman majoring in Theatre (Performance) with a minor in Communications from Rockville, MD. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston. Emma would like to thank the incredible Dr. Peter Spearman, along with the most wonderfully talented and kind cast, and the most amazing crew for making this such a memorable and fun experience for her! She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continuous support throughout her theatre journey!
Benji Gray-Miller (William Barfee) (he/they) is a Sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance). This is their second time working on a mainstage show, but their first time performing. You may have seen Benji in Arkansaw Bear, Rocky Horror Picture Show, or Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (Center Stage). He was also crew and served as an understudy in Home.
Peyton Grant (Leaf Coneybear) is a Sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance) and Arts Management. This is his first main stage production at CofC, but other credits include Arkansaw Bear and The Guy who Didn’t Like Musicals. Peyton would like to thank everyone who participated in this fantastic show. He appreciates all the hard work that everyone has put into it.
Gable Hirlston (Ensemble, understudy Mitch, Doug, and Coneybear) (he/him) is a sophomore with a major in Environmental Sustainability and a minor in Theatre from Murfreeboro, TN. He transferred from The American Musical Dramatic Academy in New York City and is very excited for this to be his first mainstage show at CofC! Gable would like to thank his dad for the endless support to always pursue what makes him happy and making sure he has time for his hobbies and extracurricular activities. He would also like to thank Dr. Peter Spearman for encouraging him to take on a theatre minor and trusting him to take on his understudy roles! Lastly, but certainly not least Gable would like to thank his outstanding castmates, crew, and design team for making this show so fun and a dream to work on!
Meredith Lane (Music Director) is a musician and educator originally from Mullins, South Carolina. She holds a BA in Music Education from Charleston Southern University. During her time there, she was in several of their musicals including Guys and Dolls, Curtains, and The Spitfire Grill. Most recently, she has served as music director for Beauty and the Beast and Annie. She is so excited for her first time working with CofC and would like to send a special thank you to Peter Spearman and the crew for being such a great help throughout the rehearsal process.
Olivia Maness (Stage Manager) (she/her) is a junior majoring in Theatre (Scenic/Lighting Design and Theatre Studies) from Memphis, TN. This is the seventh mainstage show she has been involved in. She has also served as stage manager for the department’s production of Men on Boats, as well as PURE Theatre’s production of The Roommate. Other credits with CofC include assistant stage manager for Violet and Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet, lighting designer for multiple showcases and Center Stage’s Deathtrap, writer for The Pages Festival and the Istoria podcast, and director for Center Stage’s The Arkansaw Bear. She was recently a regional finalist in KCACTF Region 4’s 10 Minute Play Festival. Olivia would like to thank the cast, crew, designers, and her ASMs Lauren and Dailyn, Dr. Peter Spearman, for making this one of her favorite shows to date!
Charlie Maybee (Choreographer) (he/him) is a dancer, choreographer, musician, educator, and writer currently based in Charleston, South Carolina, where he is on faculty with the dance program at College of Charleston (CofC). He holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois with a certificate in Criticism and Interpretive Theory and is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble (MYTE). He has worked consistently in higher education since 2015 specializing in tap and modern dance technique classes, overseeing dance research projects, and providing musical accompaniment for dance classes. His current artistic research explores hybridity, literary archetypes, punk aesthetics, and techno-cultures through a tap dancer’s perspective and works to make tap dance more pronounced in higher education.
Dailyn Mincey (they/she) (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Junior majoring in Theatre (Theatre Studies) from Hemingway, SC. This is their first mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She would like to thank Olivia Maness for being a wonderful mentor and Stage Manager throughout this show, as well as everyone who has had a hand in this beautiful production.
Paeton Patterson (Ensemble, understudy for Barfee and Chip) is a freshman majoring in Theatre (Performance) and Arts Management. This year, Paeton was seen in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2025) as well as in Center Stage’s production of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (2024). Some of his other credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (2024), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023), and Almost, Maine (2021). You can also hear his voice as Rudy in Istoria, an audio drama created here at the college. He would like to thank his friends and family for the continuous support in his theatrical endeavors.
Grace Ratledge (understudy for Rona/Olive, Dance Captain) is excited to be in her first mainstage production! Grace is a recent transfer student to CofC majoring in Theatre (Performance) and minoring in Dance. Most recently she performed in The Arkansaw Bear with Center Stage. Grace has frequently performed in the Charlotte area in The Thursday Night Bridge Circle (Theatre Charlotte), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Free Reign Theatre) and in Sister Act (Rock Hill Theatre). Grace will forever be grateful to this cast for their infectious energy and support.
Geoffrey (Sam) Rhodes (Vice Principal Panch) is a Senior majoring in Theatre (Performance) and minoring in Communications from Columbia, SC. This is his fifth and final mainstage show at CofC as an underclassman. Most recently seen in SchoolHouse Rock Live! and Jekyll and Hyde at the Queen Street Playhouse with the Footlight Players. His last CofC production was The Importance of Being Earnest. He would like to sincerely thank Dr. Peter Spearman, this wonderful cast and crew, his family, and Allison.
Ellie Schrupp (Marcy Park) is a Sophomore majoring in Theatre (Performance) with the Musical Theatre Certificate and minoring is Arts Management and Dance. This is her first mainstage show at CofC and she couldn’t be more excited. She would like to thank Dr. Peter Spearman for such this wonderful opportunity, and the incredible cast and creative team for making this experience so welcoming and fun. She would also like to thank her family for their continuous support!
Noah Whisonant (Chip Tolentino) is a Freshman majoring in Theatre (Performance) This is first mainstage show at the CofC and he’s incredibly thankful to have the support of the creative and performing ensemble. He gives huge thanks to those supporting him from campus and back home in Rock Hill, SC. Working with Dr. Peter Spearman has been a blessing and he is incredibly thankful to have gotten to revisit a script he loves dearly.