Tryouts to be held Thursday for “Smoke on the Mountain”

Tryouts to be held Thursday for Smoke on the Mountain

One of Prep’s annual traditions is a one-act play. This year’s production will take a new form due to coronavirus restrictions, but, in the best tradition of theatre, the show must go on.

Auditions for this year’s one-act, the musical Smoke on the Mountain, will be Thursday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the choir room. This hilarious, feel-good cutting of this musical comedy has parts available for seven students in grades 9-12— 4 males and 3 females.

The show takes place in the 1930s at a country church in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina,and is built around a Saturday Night Gospel Sing. The show will incorporate bluegrass songs throughout.

According to Concord Theatricals, “Pastor Oglethorpe, the young and enthusiastic minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has enlisted the Sanders Family in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into ‘the modern world.’ Between songs, each family member ‘witnesses’ – telling a story about an important event in their life. Though they try to appear perfect in the eyes of a congregation who wants to be inspired by their songs, one thing after another goes awry and they reveal their true – and hilariously imperfect – natures. By the evening’s end, the Sanders Family have endeared themselves to us by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us to share in their triumphs.”

The one-act will be recorded on  Prep’s stage in mid-September and aired virtually on November 6-7 for the North Dramafest competition. Winning schools will progress to Mississippi Theatre Association in January, which will also be a virtual conference.

Students or parents with questions may email the show’s director, Ms. Jessica Wilkinson, at [email protected]. Students should wear a mask to the audition and be prepared to be spaced 6 ft apart in the room.

The show is also in search of a violin player who would like to play for one song. Any student in 9-12 grades who would like to do that should contact Ms. Wilkinson.