NEW BEDFORD — Mattapoisett resident and actor Molly Dupre says that musical theater is “part of my DNA.”

“I just feel so in my element when I’m surrounded by theater kids and when I’m on stage,” she said.

Just before entering her sophomore year at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Dupre is making her professional theater debut on Friday, Aug. 8 in a production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” with the New Bedford Festival Theatre.

Her journey toward a career in theater began as a child in Mattapoisett, where she acted in productions at Center School, Old Hammondtown School and Old Rochester Regional Junior High and High School.

As a teen, she began to refine her skills further at Stage Artistry Studios in New Bedford, where she took dance classes, acting classes and private vocal lessons.

Instructor Tracy Fiore guided her through formative theater experiences at Center School and Old Hammondtown and teacher Mary Rich helped shape her skills at Stage Artistry Studios.

“Tracy Fiore helped ignite my love for theater and Mary Rich made me into the performer I am today,” said Dupre.

When auditioning for New York University’s musical theater program as a senior at Old Rochester, Dupre appreciated that the judges “really took the time to get to know what kind of art I wanted to make [and] what kind of performer I wanted to be.”

“I love musical theater, so just getting to be around people who knew what I was talking about when I talked about musical theater was just so awesome,” she said of the program. 

While living in New York City, she took a 5 a.m. train to head back to New Bedford in February to audition for the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, who is a young, headstrong character in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

Later that night, Dupre was offered the role.

“There was just something about her that I knew was special,” said Elizabeth Bettencourt, Producing Artistic Director for the New Bedford Festival Theatre.

“Making your professional debut can be nerve wracking,” said Bettencourt. “She came in like the professional that she is, and hit the ground running from day one.”

Dupre stated that playing the role of Logainne presents a fun challenge because she gets to “become fearless and really brazen on stage.”

“She’s not afraid to speak her mind, which is definitely not something I can relate to, but it’s been fun just being bold on stage,” she said.

Making her professional theater debut with a company that’s so close to home is a “really big deal” for her.

“I used to go see the Steeple [Playhouse] shows when I was a kid,” she said. “After all that time, this is where it’s all led to.”

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will run for eight shows at the Steeple Playhouse in New Bedford, beginning Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m with the final performance taking place on Friday, Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets and performance information can be found online at https://www.zeiterion.org/events.