Calling all thespians!
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is holding open auditions for this year’s production of Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals on Sunday. Auditions will begin at 5 p.m. in the Visitor’s Center at the park.
“Auditions are open to those wanting to try out for speaking parts and for those wanting to participate in non-speaking roles,” said Park Manager Jennifer Bauer. “We welcome previous cast members and brand new folks and families who would enjoy being a part of telling one of the most important stories in the formation of our nation in the late 18th century!”
Auditions for speaking parts will be held in a “cold reading” format, Historic Interpreter Chad Bogart said.
“Normally what they do is pull sections of the script and have people read from that,” Bogart said. Typically the sections of script are narrations or a longer speech by a character and do not really feature dialogue between multiple characters, Bogart added.
“In times past the director has videoed the auditions and taken them home to review them,” Bogart said.
The park typically holds two auditions for the production, which is Tennessee’s Official Outdoor Drama, Bogart said. No date has been set for a second audition at this time.
In addition to performing roles, Bogart said the production is also looking for individuals to help in non-acting capacities such as backstage assistance, wardrobe, props and grounds preparation for the performances.
“There is always someplace we can use help,” he said. “If anyone wants to help in any way they can come on down to the auditions to find out more.”
Performances take place at Sycamore Shoals, the last three weekends of July; dates for 2016 are Thursday through Saturday, July 14-16, 21-23, and 28 – 30, shows beginning at 7:30 pm.
This year marks the park’s 38th year of presenting the outdoor drama which relates the story of the American Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men, colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands.
For questions or additional information, please contact the park at 423-543-5808.