By ALLI SCHIEBER
Editor-in-Chief
Northwestern Theater has been rehearsing for their annual musical since March 3 when they had their first table read.
This years musical is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
The musical will be performed April 11 and 12 at the Fellers Family Auditorium with a total of three shows.
April 11 at 7 p.m. and April 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. general admission is $15 NWOSU employees are $10 and students with ID are $5.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was written by Rachel Sheinkin and performed on Broadway in 2005.
The musical follows a group of spelling champions that learn winning is not everything.
They share stories and spell words in hopes not to hear the disqualification bells “ding” that means they have made a mistake.
As they hope to be the last speller standing and the champion speller.
Alex Marshall a sophomore general studies major from Oklahoma City said the muscial takes place in 2005 at a spelling competion in New York.
Both the adults and kids involved with the spelling bee get into some silly escapades but to find out what those are you will have to see the show.
Marshall said his character Vice President Doug Panch is the one who says the words and makes sure they are spelled correctly.
Marshall was in “Cinderella” last year at NWOSU in which he played Jean-Michael.
He said his role in the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is challenging because he is used to being the comedic relief.
However, in this role his character is still funny but also has more of an attitude of not wanting to be there.
Besides the role being different for him a challenge that the whole cast faced was getting everyone together for rehersal when they had night classes.
Marshall said students should attend the musical because he thinks it is a great comedy as well as a way to relax and step away from the stress and reality of a being a college student.
“I think in life we need to laugh more,” Marshall said. “It’s okay to feel other emotions, but laugher is the best medicine.”
Marshall said he likes to see everything come together as they rehearse he sometimes think how is this going to look all together especially when some cast members are in night classes and not able to attend rehersal.
“Sometimes I don’t understand how this is gonna fit,” Marshall said. “ I don’t understand how this dance will work and then when we finally all do it, it’s like, oh, boom, big light bulb.”
At NWOSU anyone is welcome to participate in theater whether that is with set design, costumes, make up or acting.
NWOSU Theater welcomes all students to “Come Create” with them no matter the students major.
While a lot of students in their shows are theater or music majors it is not a requirement.
Members of the fine arts departments staff make sure that everyone on campus is welcome to be a part of a show or two during their time at NWOSU.
If a student is interested in participating in future shows then whether they want a large or small role.
They should talk with Kimberly Weast chair of the fine arts department or Mickey Jordan, instructor of technical theater.
Students who are involved with the fine arts department are also available to earn scholarships. Students who want to “sing, play, act” or create withe the NWOSU fine arts department should also follow NWOSU theater on Instagram for information about shows, auditions and more.
Students can also go to NWOSU’s website to find out more information