The Spelling Bee is almost here!

Abby Eagleson (she/her) is rhapsodic (def: as in giddy, experiencing or marked by overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion; "the jingle used in the commercial was a humorously rhapsodic celebration of food) to join the Imagine Theatre community and to return to the stage after a hiatus, including graduate school, having a child, and a pandemic. Abby played Olive in ...Spelling Bee with Contemporary Classics 15 years ago. She now teaches singing and acting, and is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in voice/upper airway and gender affirming voice care at Seattle Children's Hospital and UWMC. Deep love to husband Erik and son Ezra for allowing her to escape to rehearsals to feed her soul with this hilarious show.

Traynor Hansen is thrilled to be back with his friends at Imagine for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He was also in Imagine’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Traynor is an English professor at Seattle Pacific University (specializing in early-nineteenth-century poetry) and he is one of the music directors at Bothell UMC. Thanks to my family for all your support!

Joann is excited to be with Imagine again in this production of Spelling Bee because she loves playing, creating and imagining with people for peace, justice, and beloved community. She is also excited to relive her glory days of repping her middle school in the Williamson County spelling bee, though a little more excited to redeem herself - she was eliminated on the word ‘beetle’. When she is not playing on stage, Joann is loving on her kids, dreaming with her husband Joe, subbing in the schools, supporting parent education and youth empowerment in the Korean community, and striving to be more human. Big thank you to Joe, Asher and Ember for the love, support and patience through all the rehearsals and weird sounds I made preparing for this show.

Middle school is a time of curiosity, mischief, and possibility—things Erin still loves, which makes bringing this character to life all the more special! Much like her character, she’s feeling both excitement and nerves—but she’ll try to keep from shaking! Offstage, she is passionate about bringing community together around food and creating spaces for connection. She is especially grateful to her two children for enduring her nonstop singing in preparation for this role and to her friends for showing up today to share in the fun!

Paul Hutchinson is so very happy to be back for his second show with Imagine. You might recognize him as the Pharoah from Joseph... Dreamcoat last year, but it was more than a decade between that and his previous time on stage, some of his favorite performances from his past life include Danny (Grease), Jean ValJean (Les Miserables), Bobby (Urinetown), Laurie (Little  Women), Antony (Sweeney Todd), Chip (..Spelling Bee) and Bob Cratchett from A Christmas Carol a few different times. Paul loves to perform and is so happy to rejoin in the community and love that he gets from all his stage family. It's never too late to rediscover your passions and choose the life you want! Come join us and audition next year!

Rachel Hansen is grateful for this chance to sing and be silly with some extended family members and newfound friends! She studied literature and theatre at Westmont College and has travelled to 20 different countries - she does *not* speak six languages though! Recent credits include performing as part of the Community Ensemble in Seattle Rep’s 2024 production of The Skin of Our Teeth. One of her “claims to fame” is being an extra in Ten Things I Hate About You. Rachel is sending love to Gary, Sam, and Henry. Thanks to her family for modeling a lifelong love of music, books, and learning. And thanks to her Public Works friends for modeling equity, imagination and joy! 

Katy found a love for theater in 2022 and has been doing it since. She is very thankful for the opportunity to act with Imagine, and is especially excited to be a part of this production, as it is one of her favorite shows. Katy is very thankful for the immense support of her friends and family. She hopes everyone enjoys this performance as much as she enjoys it!

Retail worker by day, an actor by night, and an aspiring game designer in between. Growed up living stories, films, games, and many other creative endeavors, and here to get in on some of the action. I discovered this production when Director Tom Frodsham approached me right when I had finished a previous play. I hopped on the opportunity to continue acting as it was in the ballpark of doing what I love. I initially began one play before, performing A Christmas Carol, and I’m here on the same mission as my previous production. Get a foot in the entertainment industry and get to know more and more people in it.

Returning to Imagine for her second time, Kait Hutchinson is so excited to be playing Mitch in this year's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Kait has been in the theater world since she was young and has really enjoyed reigniting her passion for the arts with her husband Paul. She would like to thank her family and friends for always encouraging her love of music, theater, and being in the spotlight.

 Naomi (they/them) is excited to join this production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This is their second musical, following their several side character roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As the youngest actor in this musical, they are a student at Mountlake Terrace High School. They love drawing, reading, and watching/nerding out over TV shows. They hope to become a voice actor one day. 

This is Karli's first time performing in a musical! Throughout grade school she was in choir for 7 years and involved in drama class. She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support!

Jason Rickelton is pleased to take part in his very first production with Imagine Theatre. He has performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Mamma Mia with Studio East. He has also performed in a number of productions including The Music Man and Any Number Can Die at Bothell High School. He would like to thank his director for giving him this opportunity.