They performed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in Ferguson Hall, an over 1,000-seat theater, alongside many other extremely talented high schools. This production received another High Superior ranking, after receiving the first at Districts, and, out of more than 50 competing one-acts, was selected as the winner. Because of this high honor, the group will continue on to compete on the national stage.
On their Instagram the TC Theatre program excitedly announced the news of their victory.

“After a successful run at the Florida State Thespian Festival, our production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee received another High Superior, and out of 50+ competing one acts, was selected as the winning one-act to advance to the International Thespian Festival this June in Bloomington, Indiana,” they said.

This selection marks an unprecedented achievement for the school’s program.

“For the first time in (TC) Theater history, we will be representing the entire state of Florida alongside a selected Florida MainStage, marking a huge milestone for our program and a moment we will never forget,” the group posted.

This year’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was student-directed by first-time director Finn Brown ‘26, making this victory and all the accolades even more exciting to celebrate.

“Freshman me would not believe that I made my directorial debut for my senior show in a cafeteria and went on to win several awards for the overall production, direction, and my performance,” Brown said. “Directing this show has made me reflect on all the incredible directors I’ve worked with and appreciate them more than ever. This experience challenged me, shaped me, and meant more to me than I can put into words.”

Brown extended his warmest gratitude to the TC Theatre program for four years of growth he will never forget.

One of the directors he refers to is Joyce Mayhew, the TC Theatre teacher. This year, she encouraged Brown to take on the director’s role and has watched him flourish not only as an actor but as a well-rounded thespian capable of leading an award-winning production to repeated success.

“I’ve had the privilege of not only directing and teaching Finn Brown, but collaborating with him artistically for four years,” Mayhew said. “This year, I stepped back and let him direct to see what he had learned—and he delivered. Even though we rehearsed in a classroom and performed it in a cafeteria, the show rose to the occasion in the 1,000-seat Ferguson Theater at the Straz—The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ultimately earning a Superior rating at the Florida State Thespian Festival and multiple awards at Districts.”

Just as any teacher would after years of investment in a student’s formation, Mayhew expressed great pride in Brown.

“This is what happens when talent meets dedication,” she said.

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