{"id":32294,"date":"2026-01-28T17:51:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T22:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=32294"},"modified":"2026-01-28T17:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T22:51:47","slug":"35-member-cast-picked-for-pollyanna-rehearsals-starting-for-six-spring-performances-at-tusculum-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/35-member-cast-picked-for-pollyanna-rehearsals-starting-for-six-spring-performances-at-tusculum-university\/","title":{"rendered":"35-member cast picked for “Pollyanna”; rehearsals starting for six spring performances at Tusculum University"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Leaders of \u201cPollyanna\u201d have selected a 35-person cast to turn the lively musical\u2019s script into a production that will delight audiences in the spring at Tusculum University<\/a>.<\/h3>\n
\"Amy

Amy Bailey participates in her vocal audition. She was selected for the adult ensemble.<\/p><\/div>\n

Cast members, which include Tusculum students, alumni and community members, are now embarking on rehearsals. They will pull all of the pieces together for the next three months before launching the Theatre-at-Tusculum show in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are talented actors who will present an outstanding run of performances,\u201d said Steve Schultz, who is directing the musical. \u201cAll of us who were involved in watching them audition for parts were impressed with the energy they brought and know they will blend cohesively as a team to deliver shows our audiences will thoroughly enjoy. We are excited to move into the rehearsal stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cast features three Tusculum students \u2013 Michael Bumgarner, Sam McCamey and James Sams \u2013 and alumni, such as Angela Bride, Zack Gass and Dr. Melissa Koehler. Other cast members come from various parts of East Tennessee. Many are veterans of Tusculum\u2019s theater productions and have performed in other local theater companies, but there are some newcomers in the show as well. The cast list is available at https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/tusc-family\/2026\/cast-for-pollyanna\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The part of Pollyanna is split between Maggie Hall and Zanna Parker.<\/p>\n

Set in the 1920s, \u201cPollyanna\u201d is based on the novel of the same name that was written by Eleanor H. Porter. It tells the story of 10-year-old Pollyanna, who moves to Vermont after her parents pass away. The town where she settles initially greets her with suspicion mainly because of her reclusive and bitter aunt, Polly Harrington.<\/p>\n

\"Zetta

Zetta Schultz, left, and Zach Gass audition for parts in \u201cPollyanna.\u201d She was cast as Janey, and he was chosen for Rev. Ford.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pollyanna, in turn, responds with kindness and friendship, and that changes the town\u2019s mindset. A spirit of community begins to emerge. But a tragic accident could unravel all of her good work, and it challenges her resilience more than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cPollyanna\u201d has been portrayed on film many times. The music, lyrics and libretto for Tusculum\u2019s version of the musical were written by David Gipson. He collaborated with Faith Rader, the show\u2019s music director, and Erin Hensley Schultz, Tusculum\u2019s costume director, to evaluate the musical elements of the Tusculum auditions.<\/p>\n

Gipson moved to Greeneville from Pensacola, Florida, a couple of years ago to serve in music ministry. He played Pulitzer in Tusculum\u2019s production of \u201cNewsies\u201d in 2024. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and has written several original musicals that have been produced in the United States. He has four daughters among his six children, and they have inspired and been sources for material in \u201cPollyanna.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin Schultz will create the costumes for this production. The stage manager is Tusculum student Izzy Wilson, who has performed in many Tusculum productions.<\/p>\n

Wilson, a sophomore communication major with a concentration in theater, is thrilled to work with a local playwright and the strong cast. She said her previous experience as an actor will make it easier for her to assume her duties in this production.<\/p>\n

\"Erin

Erin Hensley Schultz, left, and David Gipson evaluate vocal auditions.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to serve as the stage manager,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s new for me, and there are a lot of expectations. Reaching those expectations is going to be very satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Performances of \u201cPollyanna\u201d will be held April 17, April 18, April 24 and April 25 at 7 p.m. and April 19 and April 26 at 2 p.m. in the duBrisk Theatre, which is located on Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Art Center\u2019s main level. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.<\/p>\n

Theatre-at-Tusculum is part of Tusculum Arts Outreach<\/a> and Tusculum\u2019s\u00a0Center for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0and is supported in part by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and many generous donors. To learn more about the Center for the Arts and Arts Outreach, please visit\u00a0https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/center-for-the-arts\/<\/a>. Additional information about the university is available at\u00a0www.tusculum.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Leaders of \u201cPollyanna\u201d have selected a 35-person cast to turn the lively musical\u2019s script into a production that will delight audiences in the spring at Tusculum University<\/a>.<\/h3>\n

Cast members, which include Tusculum students, alumni and community members, are now embarking on rehearsals. They will pull all of the pieces together for the next three months before launching the Theatre-at-Tusculum show in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are talented actors who will present an outstanding run of performances,\u201d said Steve Schultz, who is directing the musical. \u201cAll of us who were involved in watching them audition for parts were impressed with the energy they brought and know they will blend cohesively as a team to deliver shows our audiences will thoroughly enjoy. We are excited to move into the rehearsal stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full article…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,170,19,142,169,146,1,6,148,147,149,172],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n35-member cast picked for "Pollyanna"; rehearsals starting for six spring performances at Tusculum University :: Tusculum University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/35-member-cast-picked-for-pollyanna-rehearsals-starting-for-six-spring-performances-at-tusculum-university\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"35-member cast picked for "Pollyanna"; rehearsals starting for six spring performances at Tusculum University :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 Leaders of \u201cPollyanna\u201d have selected a 35-person cast to turn the lively musical\u2019s script into a production that will delight audiences in the spring at Tusculum University. Cast members, which include Tusculum students, alumni and community members, are now embarking on rehearsals. They will pull all of the pieces together for the next three months before launching the Theatre-at-Tusculum show in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre. \u201cThese are talented actors who will present an outstanding run of performances,\u201d said Steve Schultz, who is directing the musical. \u201cAll of us who were involved in watching them audition for parts were impressed with the energy they brought and know they will blend cohesively as a team to deliver shows our audiences will thoroughly enjoy. 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