The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The HCC Theatre program proudly presents
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
By Rachel Sheinkin
The show runs 2 hours long with 15 minute intermission.
CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR
Bill Gillett
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Rebecca Bell Echols
ASST DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Dana Keane
FIGHT COORDINATOR
Chris Niebling
STAGE MANAGER
Kaira Ogbue
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Emmanuella Labrousse
COSTUME DESIGNER
Kate Twilley
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Robert Weaver
SOUND DESIGNER
Seth Schwartz
SOUND ENGINEER
Austin Sapp
LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
Ethan Post
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR
Andy Davis
RUN CREW
Jaci Molina
CAST
Sydney Cheuvront
Rona Lisa Peretti
David McMullen
Vice Principal Douglas Panch
Cheryl Campo
Michelle Mahoney
Sophia Frid
Olive Ostrovsky
Nick Yarnevich
William Barfee
Misaki Weddington
Logainne “Schwartzy” Schwartz and Grubenierre
Gianna Casanova
Marcy Park
Patrick Gray
Leaf Coneybear
Joshua Ikotun
Chip Tolentino
Ben Domenick-Urbansky
Buddy Butkis
Lily Granai
Betty Butkis
HOROWITZ CENTER STAFF
DIRECTOR
Janelle Broderick
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Seth Schwartz
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
John Elder
ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Mark Smedley
PRIMARY ELECTRICIAN
Eric Moore
PAINTER
Daniele Harris
AUDIENCE SERVICES MANAGER
Julie Via
SPECIAL THANKS
Darius McKeiver, Jessica Grim, Jeremy Bomberg, Valerie Lee, Kim Pavlovsky, Karli Andrade, HCC’s Facilities Crew
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I’m so glad you could join us for tonight’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It’s our first time attempting to stage a musical on our outdoor Dreier Stage. As I write this director’s note, looking at the weather forecast, it still may not be the first musical on our outdoor stage. If you are viewing tonight’s production inside, it’s still going to be a fantastic experience. But, if you are watching it outside (exciting!), it will be the performance we imagined.
This cast has been a pleasure to work with, and we have so much fun bringing our production to life. I approach each production as if we are the first to ever produce the play. I hope what we have created is something uniquely ours and yet it still celebrates the play’s genius creation which achieved award recognition.
We offer our summer production free of charge. If you can help support summer theatre I hope you will choose to donate through the QR code you will find on your way in and out of the performance space.
We have a great season of theatre coming up for the 2023-2024 academic year: Exit, Pursued by a Bear by Lauren Gunderson, Medea - a new adaptation of Euripides’ play, One-Act Festival - student directed plays, Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief - the musical by Joe Tracz and Rob Rokicki, and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Thanks for coming! I hope we will see you again!
CAST BIOS
CHERYL J. CAMPO (Michelle Mahoney) is the Interim Director of Honors and Undergraduate Research at HCC. Arts Collective: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Director) and Ragtime (Ensemble). More recent credits include Keegan Theatre: Air (reading, Ahnah Swan); Flying V: Vanishing Girl (reading, Professor Valdez); Silhouette Stages: The Lightning Thief (Sally Jackson and others), Calendar Girls (Cora); and Cockpit In Court: Once on This Island (Mama Euralie). In Maryland, Cheryl has also performed, choreographed, accompanied, MDed, and directed with groups including Olney Theatre Center; Baltimore Shakespeare Factory; youth theatre programs in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Howard, and Montgomery Counties; and the Handel Choir of Baltimore.
GIANNA CASANOVA (Marcy Park) is a graduating senior at Howard High School and dually enrolled at HCC. Gianna has been in numerous productions with her high school, most recently as Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, and Clarisse as well as director of The Lightning Thief. She is excited to be performing in Spelling Bee as her final show here in Maryland. She will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in the fall to start her Bachelor of Music Arts in Lyric Theatre.
SYDNEY CHEUVRONT (Rona Lisa Peretti) is very excited to return to the stage after a 9-year hiatus! She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Communication at High Point University (Class of 2018) and her Master's Degree in Communication at Johns Hopkins University (Class of 2022) and currently works for the Federal Government. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and, more recently, planning her wedding! Favorite productions she has been a part of include Anything Goes, Into the Woods, A Piano in the House, and Legally Blonde the Musical.
SOPHIA FRID (Olive Ostrovsky) is positively thrilled to be in this production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, her first production at Howard Community College. She is a theatre major, with a focus on musical theatre. Previously, she has portrayed Edwin Drood (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Mae Peterson (Bye, Bye, Birdie), and Olive Ostrovsky (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) at Howard High School, to name a few. She would like to congratulate the cast on a job well done and to thank them for welcoming her back into acting after a long hiatus. Sophia hopes everyone loves the show and can see themselves in the kids, quirks and all. Good luck at the Bee and may the best speller win! :)
LILY GRANAI (Scout) is a rising senior at Howard High School, and they are super excited to be a part of this show and are incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Lily has been doing theatre since the second grade and recently has been Annabeth in The Lightning Thief, Sandra in Big Fish, and Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown, and is a part of All County Improv. After high school, Lily hopes to become a teacher and will maybe see some of their own students in a spelling bee someday.
PATRICK GRAY (Leaf Coneybear) is a rising freshman at UMBC. He has just graduated from Wilde Lake High School, where he was involved as an actor for their theater program, and the leader of their improv troupe, Cat'r'Acts. He currently plays guitar for his band Blackout, and he works as an Assistant Pool Manager for the Columbia Association. You may have seen him as Warner (Legally Blonde), Sky (Mamma Mia!), Mr.Green (Clue: On Stage), or as Loser Guy (Wedding Singer) at Silhouette Stages. He would like to thank Mom, Dad, Stevie, Dani, Padgett, and Craig Sparks for inspiring him and helping him at every step of his life. Thank you!!!
JOSHUA IKOTUN (Chip Tolentino) is a working professional and aspiring actor. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Towson University, Joshua has participated in independent projects including small films and theatre productions at local venues. Special shout outs and appreciation go to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to his family and friends who continue to support him in his pursuits.
DAVID MCMULLEN (Vice Principal Douglas Panch) is a theatre student at Howard Community college. He hopes to build transferable skills in acting and playwriting. In his free time David is an avid apiarist, cragsman, and malingerer. David would like to thank his very supportive family and friends.
BEN DOMENICK-URBANSKY (Scout) is a soon-to-be Ithaca student in Ithaca, NY. He is majoring in theatre studies, and plans to try and become an actor. He enjoys playing chess, talking to his friends, reading, and video gaming. You may have seen him in past shows at Wilde Lake including Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, Almost Maine, Clue: Onstage, Guys and Dolls, and Matilda. Thank you for coming out to see the show! See you soon!
MISAKI WEDDINGTON (Logainne “Schwartzy” SchwartzandGrubenierre) is a college student at Howard Community College studying theatre. She was previously seen as Celia in As You Like It, Margo in On National Road, and Mrs. Antrobus in The Skin Of Our Teeth. She would like to thank her parents for supporting and encouraging her to follow her dreams.
NICK YARNEVICH (William Barfee) is an upcoming sophomore in the BFA Acting Program at Towson University. He is ecstatic to be performing in his first HCC show as William Barfee! Nick has been performing since the fifth grade at a wide variety of locations like Slayton House, Mount Hebron High School, Red Branch Theatre, and Towson University. Funnily enough, this is his *25th* show he has ever performed in! Some of his favorite roles are: Barry Glickman from The Prom!- Ernie Mac from Puffs- Horton the Elephant from Suessical- and Fighting Prawn from Peter and the Starcatcher— Nick would like to thank his family and friends for always supporting him through thick and thin, his new friends he made in the cast and crew for making this experience unforgettable and always making him feel welcomed, and his intense love of Propel for getting him where he is today. Enjoy The Show— oh yeah!
CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
REBECCA BELL ECHOLS (Music Director) Dr. Rebecca Echols, is a versatile singer and pedagogue. Rebecca holds her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Maryland. She also holds degrees from Stetson University, Shenandoah Conservatory and the PeabodyConservatory. Most recently, Dr. Echols served as Assistant Professor of Voice andVocal Pedagogy at Morgan State University for seven years, where she taught VocalPedagogy, Lyric Diction, and maintained a full studio. She has also taught at Shenandoah Conservatory, the University of Maryland and Carroll Community College. In addition to her work as a singer and pedagogue, Dr. Echols has been invited to lecture around the US on her dissertation topic of Effective Practicing for Vocalists. Rebecca has performed as a soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic, Annapolis Symphony, Frederick Youth Symphony and has performed in the United States and Europe. Some of Rebecca's performance credits include Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Papagena in The Magic Flute, Michaela in Carmen, Blodwen in Blodwen, and Lisette in La Rondine. Dr. Echols is currently the full time Director of Music at Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church, in Odenton, Maryland, where she directs and oversees a flourishing music program of a traditional choir, chamber orchestra, contemporary band and children’s music programs. Some of Rebecca's Music Directing credits include Chicago, RENT, The Fantastiks, Avenue Q, Tommy, Aida, Moby Dick! THe Musical, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, among many others. Rebecca is thrilled to be Music Directing this show for the second time! Rebecca resides in Baltimore, Maryland, with her husband Eric and their adorable children, Anderson and Arden.
BILL GILLETT (Director) is the Chair of Dance, Theatre, AV Production for Howard Community College. Bill first attended Prince George’s Community College for his associate degree, before receiving his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and his master’s degree from the University of Maryland. Bill is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and has worked as a freelance actor and director. Bill has been a college professor for 18 years and has directed over 50 college theatre productions. The most recent are The Skin of Our Teeth, Romeo & Juliet, The Inseparables, A Musical!, Everybody, and Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play.
DANA KEANE (Choreographer) is a graduate of Point Park College (now University), Dana Keane began her career as a professional dancer/singer/actress performing in regional and summer theaters, industrials, Off-Broadway, Broadway workshops, and on Broadway in Me & My Girl and Cats. She was also cast as a replacement in the Broadway production of Singin’ in the Rain. Following her performing career, Dana found her way into casting for commercials and the ABC daytime drama Loving, teaching and coaching daytime actors, and choreographing for theaters across the county. Upon arrival in Maryland, Dana taught and choreographed for high school programs and local dance studios. In 2006, she and her business partner, Samantha Redman, opened Studio Dans where she served as the Artistic Director until 2021. The dance studio, based currently in Fulton, Maryland, grew to over 600 students and operated under the tag-line “Confidence in Motion.” Studio Dans dancers have been accepted into prestigious summer programs and top dance universities (often with scholarships) including Pace, Point Park University, Marymount Manhattan, University of the Arts to name a few. Dana has received many choreography awards on the competition circuit. Her work can be seen on the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge website and Maryland Public Television. Through many years of teaching, Dana has developed methodologies that prepare and provide stepping stones to dance mastery. As a free-lance artist and educator, Dana has found her way into musical theater directing and choreography, most recently for Young Artists of America. She directed/choreographed Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and High School Musical Jr, as well as choreographing for many other productions, the most recent HAL PRINCE’S BROADWAY at Strathmore. She continues to teach, choreograph, and coach students at Studio Dans; and is passionate about the positive transformative role of the performing arts!
EMMANUELLA LABROUSSE (Assistant Stage Manager) Emmanuella Labrousse, previously seen as the Duchess in As You Like It, is excited to be joining the cast of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as assistant stage manager.
CHRIS NIEBLING (Stunt Coordinator) Chris Niebling is an Artistic Associate for Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (CSC), a graduate of Oberlin College, and a certified Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. He has worked as an actor, director, fight choreographer, intimacy coordinator, or combination thereof at numerous regional theatres including: Ally Theatre Company, Baltimore Opera Company, CSC, Catalyst Theatre Company, The Hatchery Festival, Journeyman Theatre, Live Action Theatre, National Players, Olney Theatre Center, Pallas Theatre Collective, Red Eye Gravy, Rep Stage, Rorschach Theatre, Six Flags America, Solas Nua, Washington National Opera, Washington Shakespeare Company, Alvernia College, Howard Community College, and Carroll Community College.
KAIRA OGBUE (Stage Manager) Kaira is a Theatre major here at Howard Community College. She has participated in previous productions such as The Skin of Our Teeth, Spell #7, and We Could Be Heroes. She has also participated in her fair share of shows back in grade school. After college, she has plans on becoming an actress. While she typically finds herself acting, she is excited to say that The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be her stage managing debut. She is interested in all aspects of theatre and can’t wait to see where this path will lead her.
AUSTIN SAPP (Sound Engineer) Austin Sapp is returning to the Dreier Stage as Audio Engineer for HCC's 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Austin worked on last years' Romeo and Juliet, and Comedy of Errors the year prior. He has worked with HCC and its affiliated organizations, Rep Stage, and Arts Collective, on theater productions over the past four years.
SETH SCHWARTZ (Sound Designer/Production Manager) is the Production Manager at Howard Community College supporting Rep Stage, Theatre Department, Dance Department and all HCC performing arts entities. Seth also serves as a coordinator/instructor for HCC’s Entertainment Technology program as well as a sound designer for the past four seasons of HCC’s Theatre Department. Prior to coming to HCC Seth served for 10 years as the Director of Production at Carroll Community College overseeing the Scott Theatre and instructing students in Technical Theatre/Entertainment Technology. Seth has worked in other various technical and management roles at venues that include Round House Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Olney Theater Center, Imagination Stage, The Shakespeare Factory, Hedgerow Theatre, 1812 Productions and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Seth holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
KATE TWILLEY (Costume Designer) Kate Twilley (Costume Designer) is excited to get a chance to come back to design/collaborate with HCC's Theatre Department after working as Costume Matinence for We Could Be Heroes. Following working as an assistant costume designer and wardrobe crew for REP Stage's Falsettos, she is excited to jump back into the swing of things with this production. Kate holds a B.A. in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a focus in Costume Design.
ROBERT WEAVER (Lighting Designer) Robert Weaver(he/him/his) is a lighting designer in the Baltimore and DC region. Robert graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2018 with a BA in Photography and a minor in Theater. He has lit over 7 mainstage productions at Eastern Mennonite University, the most recent show being Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. During the Fall season of 2022, Robert got the chance to design a candle-lit version of The Crucible. He then was able to take this show to the Region 2 of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival at West Chester, Pennsylvania. Robert also works at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University as a lighting designer for internal and external events for the university. He recently lit a White House summit for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
COMING NEXT
Exit, Pursued By Bear
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Bill Gillett
The RFC Studio Theatre
Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:30 PM
Friday, October 13, 2023, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 15, 2023, 2:30 PM
Medea
By Euripides
Directed by Jenny Male
The RFC Studio Theatre
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 7:30 PM
Friday, November 17, 2023, 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 19, 2023, 2:30 PM
HCC Dance Showcase
Smith Theatre
Friday, November 10, 2023, 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 7:00 PM
Howard County Community Dance Festival Evening Showcase
Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 7:00 PM
One-Act Festival
Directed by HCC Students
The RFC Studio Theatre
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 7:30 PM
Friday, March 8, 2024, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 9, 2024, 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 2:30 PM
HCC Dance Company
Smith Theatre
Friday, March 15, 2024, 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 3:00 PM
Percy Jackson: Lighting Thief the Musical
Book by Joe Tracz
Music by Rob Rokicki
Directed by Jenny Male
Smith Theatre
Thursday, May 2, 2024, 7:30 PM
Friday, May 3, 2024, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 5, 2024, 2:30 PM
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Bill Gillett
Dreier Stage
Thursday, June 27, 2024, 8:00 PM
Friday, June 28, 2024, 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 29, 2024, 8:00 PM
