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In their senior year at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Charlize also decided to make their student directorial debut with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

They chose that show because it has always been a dream show for them to be in, but they have never had the chance. The story has always struck such a deep chord with them, because for any kid, it's not easy growing up. And for them, this spelling bee is the most important thing in the world, because maybe it can change everything. And for every child, it does, but they may not always get the ending that we as audience members may desperately wish for them.

And its because of that, that they love this show, and they loved directing it. They feel that often times this show is put on because it is fun and light-hearted, with a tear-jerker or two popped somewhere in there. And while they understand why that may be the case, this is such a show about the human experience and that's what they loved sharing with their audience. Watching people connect with these children and perhaps seeing themselves up on that stage, that is what they strived for. Because in our hearts we're all just kids who want to make someone proud, even if it was ourselves.

©2026 Charlize Vermaak

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