The Spelling Bee Spells Magic in HKUST’s Annual Community Musical

With its origin rooted in fostering literacy, the buzz of the Spelling Bee has echoed through centuries of American history. What began as a simple tradition has evolved into national spectacles over time, where participants dedicate themselves to memorizing thousands of words and sparking friendly rivalries in competitions.

This year, the Spelling Bee took center stage of Shaw Auditorium at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) as part of the University’s signature Community Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, filling the hall with vibrant energy and the laughter of over 1,800 enthusiatic spectators. 

Co-directed by Mandy PETTY and Dr. Isaac DROSCHA from the Division of Humanities, the comedic musical featured six quirky middle schoolers battling for the title of spelling champion while juggling their personal struggles and eccentric personalities—arousing sympathy among the audience as they reflected the challenges that individuals often encounter in their own lives.

“Everyone Had Their Turn in the Spotlight” 

The cast was a delightful mix of performing arts professionals and HKUST community members, including staff, students, and alumni, embodying the University’s commitment to cultivating a thriving campus life through the arts and humanities.

Riding on the success of previous musicals, this year’s performance elevated its professionalism to new heights. “Every character in the production had a solo song, meaning there was no hiding in the background for the performers; everyone had their turn in the spotlight,” Mandy emphasized.

Among the standout performers was Miles Lanver LLANETA, a postgraduate student playing the role of Spelling Bee contestant Chip TOLENTINO. Recalling the months-long rehearsals leading up to the show, he found the musical an exhilarating journey, allowing him to balance his passion for performing arts and research responsibilities.

“My character is a boy scout and athlete, essentially a champion in his own way. I think we are similar in that I also strive to achieve a lot of things, including leaving my hometown in the Philippines to pursue my master’s degree at HKUST,” said Miles. “My life has been all about testing my limits, so when this musical opportunity opened up, I thought this was the best time to immerse myself in acting.”

Growth Beyond the Stage

Cora YIP, an alumna who played the spelling-bee moderator Rona Lisa PERETTI, also expressed her excitement about returning to campus for this new adventure. “This was my first time singing solo in a live performance,” Cora shared. “I used to struggle with stage fright—my nerves would take over. But through practice, I learned to overcome my fears and finally sing with confidence.”

As the cast took their final bow and the applause subsided, one thing was certain: the community musical had cast a spell of wonder over the audience. Attendees left buzzing with praise:

•   “Marvelous, engaging, and well-organized.”
•   “Sassy and fun.”
•   “A fantastic first-time musical experience!”
•   “Superbly executed by the cast and directors.”

Gratified by the encouraging response, Mandy concluded with pride: “We’re tremendously grateful to everyone who brought this production to life. We can’t wait to share even more exciting performances with broader audience in the future.”

This musical was more than a performance, it was a celebration of creativity, courage, and the resilience of the human spirit. For these spelling-bee contestants, the biggest win was not mastering the hardest or trickiest word, but daring to take the stage in the first place, pushing their limits to new heights.