FIU Theatre is staging “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, with performances running through February 22. The musical follows six middle school students as they compete in a spelling bee for a $200 savings bond and the title championed by the Putnam County Optometrists.
Olivia de Guzman, assistant professor and director of the show, said, “This is a fast, funny, and devastatingly human play. It’s about bittersweet coming-of-age, intense competition, and most of all, the power of words.”
The production features a live band composed of students and alumni from the Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts. The collaborative approach reflects FIU Theatre’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary work.
Student David Llamazares, who plays Chip Tolentino and serves as a social media intern for FIU Theatre, noted similarities between his experience with this production and his time performing on a national tour. “The rehearsal process during Spelling Bee was very similar to what I experienced on the national tour because we followed similar procedures from start to finish,” he said. “Both shows had days where you learn music, go through the script and learn about the show and its characters through tablework.” He added that discipline is essential: “As an actor we must come sign in on time, be ready to work as soon as we start and prepared for the task at hand. When you walk into rehearsals you are there to work and not fool around so discipline is important to walk into any room with.”
Justin Delacuetara, BFA scenic design student, developed the set around themes of pressure and isolation felt during competition. He explained that the central spelling area is “purposefully distanced from the rest of the set but placed merely a few feet from the audience,” which allows viewers to connect closely with each character while emphasizing moments of isolation for contestants. Delacuetara highlighted that early planning and communication across departments were key: “Within our process here at FIU Theatre, the scenic design is developed and finalized very early on in pre-production. I had to be in very close communication with each department to keep them informed of what the world of the show would look like.”
Marycary Fundora Sonora plays Olive Ostrovsky in this production. She spoke about managing stage nerves: “When I start thinking about my own nerves and how I’m feeling in the moment, it’s going to become about me and no longer about telling the story itself. The more I lean into Olive and how she’s feeling, the less I’m thinking about my own.”
Director de Guzman praised her students’ efforts: “I believe that our students, in all areas of production, are doing some of the strongest work I’ve seen at FIU Theatre and I’m very proud to share this show with audiences,” she said. De Guzman also noted that audience participation is part of every performance: “And of course, there’s audience participation… YOU could win the bee! Come and play with us!”
Tickets for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” can be purchased online at theatre.fiu.edu.
