That’s a wrap on our 2026 musical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! After countless hours of dedicated rehearsals, staff and students came together to deliver a hilarious and entertaining performance that truly captivated the audience. This show marks the fourth year of annual theatre productions at Hills Grammar, reinforcing our commitment to providing every student with the opportunity to explore their creative talents, whether on stage or behind the scenes.
The stage was set to showcase Putnam County’s top spellers, with expert lighting amplifying the experience for the audience.
The journey to this year’s Spelling Bee began a year ago when casting was completed in 2025. Rehearsals kicked off in Term 4 and continued through to the end of Term 1, involving tireless hours from the cast and crew during the holidays to ensure that the production was a hit.
As part of our extensive co-curricular opportunities, the production posed unique challenges for the cast as they tackled unfamiliar material and a complex musical score.
The musical included a full ensemble, which required the arrangement of additional vocal parts and the creative integration of audience members as spellers. This innovative approach added an exciting and interactive dynamic to the performance, ensuring every student had a part to play. The choice to have an ensemble offered all senior students a chance to explore their creative side, building their confidence and friendships along the way.
The decision to host another annual musical reflects our Co-curricular Department’s ongoing commitment to bringing lesser-known productions to life, thereby establishing a strong presence in musical theatre at Hills Grammar. As our fourth annual production, Spelling Bee not only entertained but also reinforced our school’s dedication to the arts.
Congratulations to all the staff, students, and enthusiastic Spelling Bee participants for another successful Hills Grammar musical!