Smoky Mountain Opry Holding Open Call Auditions

The Smoky Mountain Opry Theater will be holding open call auditions for singers, dancers and specialty acts this weekend.

Performers interested in auditioning must apply in person at the Smoky Mountain Opry, 2046 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Registration is from 5:30–6 p.m. and open call auditions will begin at 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Prior performance experience is preferred, and all applicants must provide a recent headshot and resume. The positions are for next year’s season that begins rehearsal in February. At this time all positions have been filled for the remainder of the 2016 regular and Christmas season.

“We are looking for exceptional singers, dancers, performing artists and entertainers to fill many different roles in our new variety show production,” said David Fee, president and chief executive officer of The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group and co-owner of the theater. “We cast year-round and are always looking for outstanding talent.”

Singers should be able to perform a variety of styles and genres of music. For the audition, singers are asked to prepare two song selections (no more than 90 seconds each) that show various styles and range. An accompanist will NOT be provided. Singers are asked to bring musical track in MP3 or CD format. Also, singer applicants should be prepared to learn a short dance combination that shows movement and coordination skills.

Dancers should be very versatile and technically trained and accomplished in many styles of dance including jazz, ballet, musical theater, country western, tap, modern, ballroom, and partnering. Gymnastic and/or aerial skills are also a plus. For the audition, dancers are asked to prepare a short dance combination with or without music that showcases their versatility. Those auditioning will be taught a dance combination, asked to present any special skills, and will need to partner.

Singer/dancers will need to be strong in both areas and should prepare to audition as required for singer and dancer positions.

While an in-person audition is preferred, singers and dancers who are not able to attend the open call auditions may submit demo reel, headshot, and resume to: casting@smokymountainopry.com.

Specialty acts and musicians seeking employment should submit demo reel, headshot, and resumes to casting@smokymountainopry.com. From this point they will be contacted for availability and to possibly schedule an audition.

The 1,400-seat Smoky Mountain Opry Theater first opened in November of 2011 and is a Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group Production. In the Dec. 2014 issue of Southern Living magazine, the Smoky Mountain Opry was named the “Don’t Miss Variety Show” in Pigeon Forge. It was also awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for having a 5-star average rating on their site, making the Smoky Mountain Opry show one of the top-performing 10 percent of businesses worldwide on Trip Advisor.