Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Dollywood plans auditions for young male and female performers to join shows during the park’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Auditions take place Aug. 27, 2016 from 9 a.m.–noon in the Connor-Short Center on the Sevierville campus of Walters State Community College.
Performers who are able to play roles between the ages of eight and twelve are encouraged to attend the auditions. Performers should be prepared to sing three songs in the style of their choice. Song selections must include both ballads and up-tempo songs. Each performer is allowed to bring sheet music or CD accompaniment. An accompanist and CD player are provided at the auditions.
“We are looking for children with the special ability to truly connect with an audience,” said Dollywood Entertainment Director Paige Bales. “It’s that connection we feel sets our performers apart from others.”
Performers should be prepared to commit to at least three hours to accommodate the audition process. Performers are encouraged to dress comfortably enough to move to music. Parents are welcome to attend with their children. Personality is a plus. For more information, please visit www.dollywoodauditions.com.
“We are casting specifically for O’ Holy Night, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Christmas in the Smokies,” Bales explained. “Most of our parts for children are double-cast so they can have a more flexible schedule. We understand they need time for school work and time to just be a kid at the holidays.”
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, an eight-time Golden Ticket Award winner for Best Christmas event, features several crowd favorites.
One of Dollywood’s greatest entertainment offerings is remastered in 2016, as Christmas in the Smokies returns to its traditional home at D.P.’s Celebrity Theater. Guests can celebrate the joy of the season while a cast of singers and dancers performs hometown holiday favorites while accompanied by a band of live musicians!
In ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, a little girl and her family find their own Christmas miracle in a delightful musical featuring a 12-member cast and a four-piece band. In O’ Holy Night, a young girl looks for an angel, while three shepherds follow a star. In the end, they all find their way to the heart of the Christmas Story.
Dollywood’s excellence in entertainment is not limited to the holiday season, however. The theme park’s live shows have received the Golden Ticket Award for Best Shows for seven consecutive years (2009-15).
