Interview: Lily McGill of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Theatre Baton Rouge

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE has charmed audiences with its wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a genuinely fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. Theatre Baton Rouge will hold a run of PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE opening this Friday, March 8. Before seeing the show, check out our Q&A with the show's director Lily McGill as we learn what it takes to create a spelling bee of a lifetime.

Bennett: How did you get involved with Theatre Baton Rouge?

McGill: I have been involved with Theatre Baton Rouge since 2011. I was studying theatre at LSU, and a friend of mine got me to audition for "A Christmas Carol." I have been involved ever since as an actor, stage manager and director.

Bennett: What made you decide to direct a production?

McGill: I started directing children's plays in high school in New Orleans, and it has always been something that I love. I love the process of collaborating with performers to realize their potential and give their best possible performances. After college, I started directing high school performers, and now TBR has given me the opportunity to direct adults. I directed my first TBR show last season, and it has been very fulfilling. I love brainstorming about a concept and then working with a team of designers and actors to bring it to life.

Bennett: Can you tell us a little about Bee?

McGill: This is actually my third time doing PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, so I can tell you a lot about the bee. It is a musical comedy about a group of intelligent but wacky kids competing at a regional spelling bee. Each speller has their own quirky way of approaching the competition. We have some top dogs who are expecting to be the best, and we have some underdogs that are struggling to keep it together every moment. We also get to learn a bit about each child's home life, which is one of my favorite things about the show. The adults who run the bee are an excitable realtor, a disgraced vice principal and a recent parolee.

Bennett: How has your profession as a teacher influenced your vision of the show?

McGill: Because I teach an advanced placement course, I have absolutely encountered students who are under an enormous amount of pressure to be the best. I think that sometimes people look at high-achieving students and wonder, "What could they possibly have to worry about? They have it all." Maybe we can't always see it, but I've learned that those students have troubles and insecurities like any other children. I've also been surprised by many students: the tough kid showing empathy, the quiet child standing up to someone, etc. In the show, we have tried to humanize the "smart kids" and craft moments for each character that show us those hidden, surprising attributes.

Bennett: What have been the most challenging and rewarding aspects of directing this show?

McGill: I think the most challenging part of this show has been creating something original. Productions of SPELLING BEE are typically very similar, and I have seen it, performed it and directed it. I really wanted to build something unique with this one, so I have tried to change some things up. The most rewarding part has been the cast. We have built great relationships, and they have been fantastic about trying new things and "going big."

Bennett: What can you tell us about the audience participation aspect of the show?

McGill: Along with the six spellers in the script, we will involve four audience volunteers in every performance. The audience spellers compete in the bee alongside the cast, so they are actually onstage. They aren't given a lot of detail on what to expect, so it's thrilling to see their reactions. This also makes the show different for the cast every night--they never know which words will be given to the volunteers or how things will turn out.

Bennett: What do you hope audiences gain from the show?

McGill: First and foremost, I hope we keep the audience laughing. The production team and I are still laughing every night in rehearsal, so I think people are going to enjoy it. Second, I hope we remind people that kids have it rough. There is almost always more to a child than meets the eye.

Bennett: How would you fare in a spelling bee?

McGill: I think I'd do pretty well. I was good in spelling bees growing up, and I even competed in a city-wide spelling bee once.

PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE opens March 8th and runs through March 24. Tickets are available via theatrebr.org or by calling the TBR Box Office at 225-924-6496.