The drama department’s upcoming musical performance, “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,” excites more than just the cast according to its various student performers.
“This is the kind of show where there’s no real fourth wall, so if you’re sitting in the audience, you’ve come to the spelling bee and I’m going to look at you and I’m going to talk to you because I can and do see you,” cast member Mia Dobbins explained. She also mentioned the musical’s built-in audience participation moments as one of her most favorite aspects.
Dobbins plays the role of Olive Ostrovsky, who she describes as an 11-year-old full of cheerfulness and optimism but also lacking confidence.
“I’ve been doing shows at Del Mar since my second semester of being here,” Dobbins said. “I love stage acting, there’s something about it that’s just so fun.”
“It’s the energy of the crowd, it looks different every night, but also the energy of the people you are with. You feel like a team no matter what.”
While many actors like Dobbins have performed in Del Mar shows before, for others, this one marks their first.
“What I’m most excited for is to just be on-stage,” cast member Ailenis Blanco said. “This is my first musical at Del Mar and being an actress, it’s very exciting, it’s something I’ve never done before.”
She plays the role of Marcy Park, who she describes as a confident perfectionist.
“I think the audience will most enjoy the funny parts, and the opening numbers,” said Blanco. “Just how we dance and sing together, it all looks so cool.”
The first performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musical will be on April 12 at 7:30 p.m in the Sue Sellors Finley Theatre.
