Auditions for ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ Seeking Diverse Cast

Tri-Cities' own Academy of Children's Theater (ACT) has put on one incredible production after another. They are currently casting for "Akeelah and the Bee" about a young African-American girl who has an amazing talent for spelling, and works her way

Akeela and the Bee

to the National Spelling Bee! Akeela's journey from her school in Chicago to the national stage is full of heart, humor, and heroics. The play was adapted from the movie of the same title that starred Lawrence Fishburn and Angela Basset. The cast is diverse and the directors are encouraging actors (experienced or not) of all ethnic backgrounds to audition.

Auditions will be held on Dec 11 & 12! You'll need to prepare a 1 min monologue for the audition, and contact ACT at 943-6027 to set up an audition time. The show will be presented from Feb 16-25. Check out the full cast list below and if you decide to audition, break a leg!

CHARACTER	AGE	DESCRIPTION
Akeelah	11	African-American; Has a crazy passion for words. Lives a challenging daily life in a tough, Chicago neighborhood, but still earns a spot in the National Spelling Bee. Courageous and tenacious.
Gail	??	African-American; Akeelah’s mom; Nurse; Single parent
Reggie	16-18	African-American; Akeelah’s brother; Dresses thuggish; Struggles with making good/bad choices
Georgia	11/12	African-American; Akeelah’s best friend; Artistic sense of style
Batty Ruth	70’s	African-American; Grandmotherly; Enjoys church choir
Drunk Willie	70’s	African-American; Super of the building; Alcoholic
J.T.	20’s	Tatted and buff; Bad influence on Reggie
Izzy	11	Terrified of own shadow; Quiet
Principal	??	Principal of Southside; Encourages Akeelah
Ratchet Rhonda ______	13	Schoolmate; Mean girl
Chucky	12	Schoolmate; Class clown
Dr. Larabee	50’s	African-American; Distinguished and articulate
Dylan Chiu	12	Asian; Arrogant; Speaks French
Dylan’s Dad	??	Asian; Sever-looking
Javier	12	Latino; Preppy style; Gregarious (sociable)
Trish	12	Friendly; Supportive


Snorting Girl	N/A	Spelling quirk = snorts like a pig
Horse Girl	N/A	Spelling quirk = neighs like a horse
Mohawk Girl	N/A	Spelling quirk = cracks knuckles
Air Spelling Girl	N/A	Spelling quirk = spells words in the air
Judge	N/A	District Spelling Bee/State Bee Judge
TV Announcer	N/A	At the National Spelling Bee
Pronouncer	N/A	Gives words at Spelling Bees
Photographer	N/A	At the State Bee
Bee Clerk	N/A	At the District Spelling Bee
Foxy Fay	N/A	Radio DJ
DJ Rule	N/A	Radio DJ

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