Dollywood is gearing up for the upcoming season – which begins on Saturday, March 11 — by casting entertainers ready to find their place in the spotlight.
Members of Dollywood’s entertainment team are looking to cast singers, dancers who sing, improvisational actors, costumed characters and musicians who sing. Performers must be at least 18 years old. Available roles for the 2023 season include full-time positions, as well as seasonal — summer and Christmas – opportunities.
Auditions take place at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22, as well as at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday, January 28. Call backs will occur on the same day as the audition. Interested individuals should visit dollywood.com/jobs/auditions/schedule to register for the audition they choose to attend. The Dollywood entertainment team will respond with a confirmation email which includes an audition time slot for the selected audition date.
Singers, improvisational actors and costumed characters should prepare a verse and chorus of two songs in their preferred style, and should bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. For improvisational actors and costumed characters, one selection should be comedic in nature. A piano accompanist will be provided, or auditionees may accompany themselves on guitar or any other hand-held instrument. All auditionees should bring a resume and headshot. Some auditionees may be called back for an additional movement or vocal audition.
Additional details and audition requirements can be found at Dollywood.com/jobs/auditions. Any additional questions may be directed to auditions@dollywood.com.
With 2022 only a few weeks away, Dollywood is gearing up for the new season, which begins on Saturday, March 12. Entertainers who are ready to find their place in the spotlight should start planning for auditions now.
Members of Dollywood’s entertainment team are looking to cast singers, dancers who sing, improvisational actors, costumed characters and musicians who sing. Performers must be at least 18 years old. Available roles for the 2022 season include full-time positions, as well as seasonal—both summer and Christmas opportunities.
Auditions will take place at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Saturday, January 15 and Saturday, January 22, as well as at the Marriott in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday, February 19. Auditions are by appointment only and must be scheduled by calling (865) 429-9752. Appointments will only be taken Wednesday, January 5–Friday, January 7 between 9 AM and 4 PM. Appointments will be accepted until all slots are full. Walk-ins will not be accepted, and only auditionees are allowed to enter. Callbacks will occur on the same day as the audition.
Singers, improvisational actors and costumed characters should prepare a verse and chorus of two songs in their preferred style and should bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. For improvisational actors and costumed characters, one selection should be comedic in nature. A piano accompanist will be provided, or auditionees may accompany themselves on guitar or any other handheld instrument. All auditionees should bring a resume and headshot. Some auditionees may be called back for an additional movement or vocal audition.
Additional details and audition requirements can be found at Dollywood.com/jobs/auditions. Any additional questions may be directed to auditions@dollywood.com.
Dollywood plans to cast multiple children’s roles in some of the park’s most-known productions during this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana. Dollywood’s entertainment team is now accepting submissions for the roles.
Known around the world for its award-winning entertainment, Dollywood is casting young performers who can play children 8-12 years old. It is important to note the child does not need to be this age, but must be able to convincingly portray a child of this age.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas has been known for many years as the best theme park Christmas event, and much of that popularity is due to the high-quality shows that take place during the festival. A number of young performers, including country singer Carly Pearce and “American Idol” alum Janelle Arthur, have started their careers at Dollywood.
The children selected for the roles will play in one of three guest-favorite productions, “Christmas in the Smokies,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” or “O’ Holy Night.” Dollywood Entertainment Director Paige Bales said,
“We are looking for those special children who are able to connect with our audiences. The talent of our entertainers is the secret to our success, and we are looking for that same ability from the children in these roles.”
Both speaking and singing parts are available, and dialogue memorization is required. Rehearsals will begin in late October with performances taking place during the entire run of the festival, November 6 - January 2. Each role will be double-cast, allowing for additional flexibility.
“We understand that the kids in these roles need time for school work and time to just enjoy being a kid during the holidays, so that is why we double-cast these roles,” Bales continued.
Parents of interested applicants should submit a video of their child singing a favorite song, along with a video of them reading “Bear in There” by Shel Silverstein. Additionally, parents should include a headshot, resume (including the child’s height) and links to live performances. All materials should be sent to auditions@dollywood.com by Sunday, September 5.
For more information about the children’s audition submissions, visit Dollywood.com/jobs/auditions or email auditions@dollywood.com.
Fresh off earning its ninth-consecutive Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park Shows, Dollywood’s Entertainment Team is hitting the road in early 2018 to conduct auditions throughout the Southeast in search of new talent for the park’s world-class shows and productions.
Auditions currently are scheduled in Birmingham, Alabama (Jan. 6), at Dollywood (Jan. 20), and in Spartanburg, South Carolina (Jan. 27). These auditions give performers an opportunity to showcase their abilities for members of Dollywood’s award-winning entertainment team.
Birmingham, Alabama
Saturday, Jan. 6
Virginia Samford Theatre
1116 26th St South Birmingham, AL
*Registration begins at 10 a.m.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Saturday, Jan. 20
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN
*Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Saturday, Jan. 27
Chapman Cultural Center
200 East St. John Street Spartanburg, SC
*Registration begins at 10 a.m.
Auditions at all locations are from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Performers must be at least 17 years old.
“There is no doubt about it, Dollywood is known for producing high-level entertainment every single season,” said Paige Bales, Dollywood Entertainment Director. “While it can be a challenge to maintain this high standard it is one we take great pride in doing. The talent we discover at our auditions is the most crucial aspect of helping us achieve the highest level. We’re so proud of the careers that have started here at Dollywood and we’re ready to help more great performers begin the journey to finding their dreams.”
During the open call auditions, Dollywood Entertainment is looking for singers with experience in country, musical theater or pop. The auditions are only for singers and singers who move.
Many well-known performers started their careers in Dollywood’s shows and productions. Country music stars Suzy Bogguss and Carly Pearce, American Idol alumnus Janelle Arthur, and Eric Martsolf, Brady Black on NBC’s Days of Our Lives, are just a few of the stars who have launched from the stages of Dollywood.
Winner of nine Golden Ticket Awards for Best Shows, Dollywood Entertainment provides the perfect venue for performers and technicians to share their skills.
