About The Dixie Youth Theatre:

The Dixie Youth Theatre is designed to provide a distinctive theatre education program that will empower youth to embrace a life of excellence and creativity through their artistic abilities and open doors to imagination and self-confidence. Theatre skills are worthwhile, valuable life skills grounded in discipline and a work ethic that is crucial for any craft. The faculty consists of theatre professionals who provide a quality educational and artistic experience for each participant. Experience is gained by weekly classes culminating in a performance on the stage of the Hal Holbrook Theatre.

The Fall 2008 Semester of The Dixie Youth Theatre begins on Monday, August 11, 2008.

Classes offered:

• Acting I (Grades 3-5) at 4:00 p.m.
• Voice and Movement Beginnings (Grades 2-5) at 5:00 p.m.
• Acting II (Grades 6-8) at 5:00 p.m.
• Musical Theatre (Grades 6-12) at 6:00 p.m.
• Improvisation (Grades 7-12) at 7:00 p.m.
• Acting III (Grades 9-12) at 7:00 p.m.

**Note: Due to high enrollment, two class sections may be formed by the faculty**

For detailed schedules, class information, and fees, please see The Dixie Youth Theatre’s Fall 2008 Brochure.

Download The Dixie Youth Theatre Fall 2008 Registration Form

2008-09 AUDITION, PERFORMANCE & MASTERCLASS OPPORTUNITIES

     Monday, August 25, 2008    

Make-up Design Masterclass
For all classes: Masterclass will take place during regular class times

     Tuesday, October 14, 2008    

AUDITIONS for the Fall 2008 Production of
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, an American Legend Brought to Life
by Dave Barton and Matt Bond
based on the novel by Mark Twain

The Dixie Youth Theatre and The Dixie Players
Produced by special arrangement with PIONEER DRAMA SERVICE, INC., Englewood, CO.

STUDENT AUDITIONS (Grades 3-12) from 5-7:00 p.m.
ADULT AUDITIONS from 7-9:00 p.m.

*No materials required; participants will be asked to perform a cold reading for auditions

REHEARSALS BEGIN Monday, October 27, 2008
*Exact times and dates TBA*

PERFORMANCES
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: $10/adult, $8/senior (65 and over), $5/child (12 and under)

     Monday, January 26, 2009    

Masterclass with The Barter Players, VA

     Tuesday, March 10, 2009    

AUDITIONS 6-9:00 P.M. for the
Spring 2009 Production of The Diary of Anne Frank
Dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
(based on the book Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl)

The Dixie Youth Theatre and The Dixie Players
Roles for Students & Adults (9th grade and over)
*Monologue required for auditions; available for pick-up beginning Monday, March 2, 2009 at The Dixie Box Office.

     Monday, March 30, 2009    

REHEARSALS BEGIN
*Exact times and dates to be announced*

PERFORMANCES

Friday, May 1, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket prices: $10/adult, $8/senior (65 and over), $5/child (12 and under)

Please Note: Auditions and schedules are subject to change

The Dixie Youth Theatre Faculty Biographies:

Kimberli Hood Easley (Artistic Director) has taught theatre in various colleges and fine arts academies in Dallas/Fort Worth, as well as locally at Union University and Bethel College. In addition, she has directed and taught children’s theatre for ten years and developed an award winning improvisation team. Her directing credits include: Much Ado About Nothing, The Crucible, Babes in Toyland, The Velveteen Rabbit, Catacombs, The Runner Stumbles, The Miss Firecracker Contest, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Ms. Easley has directed Steel Magnolias twice, once for CenterStage Productions in Huntingdon, TN, as well as for the Kudzu Playhouse in Hernando, MS. The Kudzu production won Best Comedy and Best Overall Production at the 2004 Regional Theatre Awards. She has also performed with three touring companies; however, her favorite role will always be Fanny in On the Verge.

Ms. Easley founded CenterStage Productions in Huntingdon in February 2002 with a vision of developing arts audiences and local theatre talent, both children and adults, in preparation for the opening of The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center. CenterStage became The Dixie Youth Theatre in February 2006. An adult troupe, The Dixie Players, will begin production in May 2007. Graduates from CenterStage have already gone on to study theatre and work in professional theatres across the country. Kim and her husband, Jesse, reside in Huntingdon.

Elaine Conger (Music Director) is a degreed music educator and Orff-Schulwerk specialist who has a passion for instilling a love for the arts in young people. Her years as a professional musician combined with her experience as a classroom teacher give her a unique perspective when working with students. Originally from Nashville, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, a Master's degree in Elementary Education, and a Master Level Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk. She has musically directed and accompanied numerous musical theater productions and even starred in a few herself. Her favorite role to date is as Patsy in Always, Patsy Cline. Some of her other credits include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Jesus Christ Superstar, All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Tommy, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Elaine resides in Paris with her daughter, Krislen, and husband, Larry Conger.

Renée Hatfull Brooks (Choreographer) is a native of Evansville, Indiana. She has been dancing and professionally choreographing musicals since graduating from Columbia State in 1999 with a degree in Commercial Entertainment. Ms. Brooks first joined the faculty of Huntingdon’s CenterStage Productions in January 2003. Past stage credits include A Chorus Line, The Will Rodgers Follies, and Tommy. Most recent credits at the NED in Jackson include Guys and Dolls, The Fantasticks, Lucky Stiff, and My Fair Lady. She was a cast member of the CenterStage production of Steel Magnolias in June 2005. Ms. Brooks resides in Jackson with her husband, Jason, and their two sons.

Jim Wilhelm (Improvisation) has been acting professionally since his 1994 graduation from Union University. He has numerous roles to his credit in productions such as Secret Garden, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Oedipus the King, Tales of Uncle Remus, Neil Simon’s Fools, and Cotton Patch Gospel. His most recent roles were Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird and Dad in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at The Dixie. He has also toured with a repertory theatre company, performed as a stand-up comic on the Grand Ole Opry Network, and is currently pursuing writing novels and plays. Jim directed The Dixie Youth Theatre’s Spring 2008 production of GREASE.

Rachel Smothers (Stage Manager) is a resident of Huntingdon, TN, teaches at Huntingdon Middle School, and holds a Bachelors degree from Union University and a Masters degree from Cumberland University. Rachel has served as The Dixie Youth Theatre’s Assistant Director and Stage Manager for three years. Her stage credits include performances in Quilters, Steel Magnolias, The Miss Firecracker Contest, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She was also the assistant director for How to Eat Like a Child, The Monkey’s Paw, Where The Sidewalk Ends, and The Most Dangerous Game.

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