The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

On January 30 and 31, Suffield Academy’s Performing Arts Department brought laughter, heart, and a whole lot of spelling to the stage with its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The performance showcased the work of Suffield’s Vocal Ensemble & Staging course.

Taught by Tom Dugan and Chelsea Greene, Vocal Ensemble & Staging was created in 2010 during the height of Glee-era pop culture. While musical theater has always been central to the course, it was intentionally designed to be more than a traditional show choir or performance track. From the beginning, the class has been open to all students, regardless of prior experience—a philosophy that continues to define it today.

This year, Tom felt the Vocal Ensemble & Staging students were ready to take on another full-scale production, rehearsed entirely within the structure of the class. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee proved to be the perfect match.

With its ensemble-driven storytelling, playful characters, and minimal technical demands, the show allowed the class to focus on what matters most: collaboration, storytelling, and joy. At its heart, Spelling Bee is both hilarious and deeply human—a celebration of individuality, vulnerability, and the wonderfully diverse students who find themselves under the pressure of competition.