The CHS Theater Guild’s fall production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was delightfully entertaining for those who went to see it. The cast and crew did an excellent job making the show seem effortless, but in reality, putting together the musical took a lot of hard work and dedication.

The cast auditioned for their parts in the spring of 2023 and began rehearsals over the summer. While many students spent the days leading up to the first day of school relaxing and spending time with friends and family, the Theater Guild was already hard at work perfecting their performance.

“We had intensive rehearsals from about noon to five, and we got a break [around] four… That was for about two weeks,” said freshman Ray Houle. “Then people had solo opportunities… so they could perfect their character,” Houle commented. Once the school year started, rehearsals continued to be around five hours per day. Keeping up with a schedule this vigorous requires an immense amount of dedication and a profound love of theater.

It’s not just the actors you see on stage that put in the work; there is also an entire crew working backstage, running the lights, sound, and set. The crew, and sometimes actors, also put together costumes and props, built and painted the set, took care of makeup and costume changes, and generally ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Junior Hannah Schwarz described working backstage as a “whirlwind of excitement.” According to Schwarz, “it’s a fast-paced and rewarding experience” that’s “all about teamwork, attention to detail, and making sure the performers shine on stage.”

While for some students, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee could be perceived as just another musical, for the class of 2024, this was the last fall musical of their high school careers. The experiences that the Theatre Guild has given these students have impacted more than just their time at CHS; they have given them long-lasting memories and helped them create a plan for their futures.