The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

April 17, 2025 to April 20, 2025
Mallinckrodt Center, 6465 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63130

Presented by the Performing Arts Department

Tickets are FREE to all WashU students with valid ID. To reserve your ticket, please visit the Washington University Box Office or call 314-935-6543. You can also claim a free ticket the night of at the box office window.


It’s time for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and six contestants are poised to out-spell the rest. These six adolescents are the brightest and best, and the only thing they fear is the “ding” of the bell…and maybe some other things too. With four audience participant spots to fill, you might even get the chance to prove yourself as Putnam County’s champion speller.  

Performing Arts Department Alum Brenna Jones (AB ‘23) will be returning to campus to direct this lighthearted musical with quick remarks and even quicker definitions.

Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Directed by Brenna Jones (AB ’23) 
Musical Direction by Larry Pry
April 17, 18, & 19 at 7:30 p.m.
April 19 & 20 at 2 p.m.
A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mitshows.com 

A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre

Located in Mallinckrodt Center

The intimate A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre, located in Mallinckrodt Center, is a 125-seat state-of-the art “black box” theater. As a dynamic and versatile performance space, the theatre is one of the premier venues for the Performing Arts Department season and is the home of the annual A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival. The A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre measures 60′ (L) x 28′ (W) x 14′ (H).