News

THANKS TO ALL WHO AUDITIONED! PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE CAST LIST.

Raleigh Little Theatre is seeking performers for its upcoming production of Akeelah and the Bee, adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West, based on the original screenplay by Doug Atchison. This show will be presented in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre.

About the show

Akeelah has a crazy passion for words: the more abstruse and labyrinthine, the better. But this gift is almost overwhelmed by the challenge of her daily life in a tough, Chicago neighborhood. Akeelah’s aptitude earns her a spot in the National Spelling Bee, which inspires the people in her neighborhood with her courage and tenacity.

Akeelah and the Bee is produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences.

Important dates

Audition Information Session: December 2, 2024 (Monday) 7-8pm [Watch the recording here]

• This optional information session will include an overview of the audition process, forms, and guidance on how to prepare. This is a great session to attend if you have never auditioned for a show before, never volunteered at RLT, or if you would like to hear more from the creative team about the process and show.

General Auditions: December 9, 2024 (Monday) and December 10, 2024 (Tuesday) 7-10pm

Callback List: Posted on RLT’s website by December 11 (Wednesday) at 12pm

Callbacks: December 11, 2024 (Wednesday) 7-10pm

Cast List: December 16, 2024 (Monday) by 5pm

Rehearsals: January 8 – 30, 2025; Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Fridays 7-10pm, with some flexibility on weekends.

Tech rehearsals: February 1, 2025 (Saturday) and February 2, 2025 (Sunday) all day; exact times TBA

Tech dress rehearsals: February 3 – 5, 2025 (Monday through Wednesday) 7:30pm

Preview: February 6, 2025 (Thursday) 7:30pm

Performances: February 7-9, 12-16, and 19-23, 2025 Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm & 6:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. There are matinees for schools at 10:00am February 12, 13, and 19, 2025. Potential added performances on Thursday evenings (noted as holds on conflict calendar, linked below). All cast members must be available for all performances.

Strike: after closing performance on February 23. All cast and crew members are expected to assist with strike (clearing the theatre of costumes, set, and props from the show).

About the roles

Raleigh Little Theatre encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description. 

Akeelah Anderson – Female, 11-14 years old, African American, clever and willful, but a little self-conscious

Gail Anderson – Female, late 30’s-early 40’s, African American, Akeelah’s widowed mother 

Reggie Anderson – Male, about 20, African American, Akeelah’s brother 

Dr. Joshua Larabee – Male, late 50’s, African American, Akeelah’s spelling bee coach/teacher 

Georgia – Female or androgynous presenting, 11-14 years old, Akeelah’s best friend 

Ruth – Female, late 40’s+, African American, Akeelah’s first floor neighbor 

Mr. Willie – Male, late 40’s+, African American, Superintendent of Akeelah’s Apartment Building

JT – Male, early 20’s, African American, Akeelah’s neighbor and friend of Reggie’s

Rhonda – Female, 12-15 years old, African American, Akeelah’s nemesis 

Dylan Chiu – Male, 12-15 years old, Asian American, Akeelah’s spelling bee competitor 

Javier Mendez – Male, 12-15 years old, Latinx. He befriends Akeelah after their first spelling bee together

Trish – Female, 12-15 years old, any ethnicity

Izzy – Female, 11-14 years old, any ethnicity

Mr. or Mrs. Chiu – Late 30’s-early 40’s, Asian American, Dylan’s demanding parent who is always pressuring Dylan to do better

Principal Welch – Any gender, adult, any ethnicity, the principal of Akeelah’s school who encourages Akeelah to participate in the school’s spelling bee

The roles below are options for character doubling (one actor playing multiple roles). Please note the production may or may not utilize these options:
Izzy / Snorting Girl / Air-Speller Girl
JT / Judge / TV Announcer
Rhonda / Fay-Fay Foxy / Pronouncer
Javier Mendez / Chucky
Trish / Horse Girl / Mohawk Girl
Mr. or Mrs. Chiu / Pronouncer / Judge

About the production team

Executive Producer: Michele Weathers

Director: Monet Marshall

Scenic Design: Sonya Leigh Drum

Costume Designer: Elly McClanahan

Lighting Designer: Erin Bell

Sound Designer: Juan Isler

Stage Manager: Lindsay Nyman

About the auditions

Click here to sign up for an audition day!

All auditionees should arrive ten minutes before the time they are signed up to help with check in. There are TWO general audition days. You need only attend ONE. 

Please prepare a 1 minute monologue that shows your acting range. If young actors need assistance researching monologues, here are some resources:

• https://www.dramanotebook.com/monologues-kids
• https://www.dramanotebook.com/monologues-teenagers
• https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/monologues-for-kids-72732/#section1

Please fill out the following paperwork to bring with you to the auditions:

• Audition Form
• Conflict Calendar

A callback list will be posted by 12pm on December 11.

If you need specific accommodations to audition or have questions about auditions, please contact Executive Producer Michele Weathers at Michele@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org to make your request. Examples of accommodations made in the past are: wheelchair accessible audition space, large print materials, prompters in the audition room, volunteers to help fill out forms, and auditions by appointment.

Volunteer Access Fund

If you face financial barriers related to transportation to the theatre, please check out our Volunteer Access Fund pilot program!