William Barfée

Who is William Barfée?

William Barfée (he is quick to remind everyone his last name is pronounced "Bar-FAY," not like the word it looks like) is a socially awkward but supremely confident speller with a nut allergy and a very particular method: he traces each word on the floor with his foot before committing to an answer. That quirk, nicknamed his "magic foot," becomes one of the show's most memorable running bits and a window into how deeply he needs control and ritual to feel safe.

Underneath the bravado, Barfée is a kid who has been bullied and underestimated, and his arc over the course of the bee involves learning to let his guard down, particularly in his prickly, tender friendship with fellow speller Olive Ostrovsky.

Playing Barfée on stage

Barfée is a lead role and one of the funniest parts in the show, built for a performer who can be blustery and abrasive one moment and quietly vulnerable the next. It calls for sharp comic timing, precise physical business with the "magic foot" choreography, and a strong belt voice for his big musical moments.

Actors are drawn to the role because it rewards specificity: small choices in posture, breath, and rhythm sell both the comedy and the loneliness underneath it.

Frequently asked