Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee from April 16 to 18 and April 21 to 25, with an additional matinee on April 19, according to an announcement on April 14. The performances will take place at the Oakwood Building, Room 101.
The event highlights Ball State’s commitment to offering diverse cultural experiences for its students and community. The production is directed by Carson Crow, a graduate of Ball State, with musical direction by Dr. Jim Rhinehart and choreography by Kelsey Krigas.
The musical features six young contestants competing in a spelling bee while sharing personal stories from their lives. “Our production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will take you through an immense journey of joy and utter heartbreak on the most important day of a 12-year-old’s life,” said Mr. Crow. “In this musical-comedy fraught with competition, come cheer on this year’s champion. Expect to laugh, cry, and even have a chance to win the Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Tickets are available at the College of Fine Arts Box Office at Sursa Performance Hall or online.
Ball State University serves more than 20,000 students across seven academic colleges according to the official website. The university has produced over 200,000 alumni worldwide as noted on its official website.
Funding for Ball State comes from initiatives such as a $350 million campaign and state investments exceeding $210 million for facilities according to the official website. Facilities include classrooms, labs, sports fields, the Health Professions Building and a planned Performing Arts Center as described on its official site.
Ball State fosters an inclusive environment guided by Beneficence values that prepare students for community service and global impact according to its official website. It has also earned recognition as a top-tier Midwest institution known for high economic mobility among graduates as noted by the university.