THE JAMES T. BILL '55 THEATER
"To enter a theater for a performance is to be inducted into a magical space,
to be ushered into the sacred arena of the imagination."
- Simon Callow -
Built in 2000, the James T. Bill '55 Theater seats an audience of 325, and has been the home for O’Dowd’s long-standing musical theater tradition, with performances of Ragtime, Cabaret, Chicago, and more recently Shaina Taub’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Equipped with all the technical capabilities of a professional performance house, the James T. Bill Theater also offers students the opportunity to master behind-the-scenes production skills, including lighting, sound, costumes, props, make-up, and stage management.
Upcoming Productions
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Spring Musical '25
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a charming and hilarious musical that blends humor, heart, and a bit of chaos. With a quirky set of characters and witty dialogue, this show explores themes of adolescence, the pressure to succeed, and the awkwardness of growing up, all through the lens of a regional spelling bee competition.
Each of the contestants is unique, with their own dreams, insecurities, and struggles—whether it's a fiercely competitive child, an overachiever with a dark side, or a kid just trying to make sense of their place in the world. The musical also features a mix of catchy songs and comedic moments that balance the characters' emotional depth and the absurdity of the bee itself.
It’s definitely one of those shows where both the absurdity of the competition and the emotional vulnerability of the characters create a blend of humor and heart that resonates with audiences.