{"id":32468,"date":"2026-04-06T14:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=32468"},"modified":"2026-04-08T16:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:26:23","slug":"cast-and-crew-preparing-to-launch-pollyanna-for-six-show-run-in-the-marilyn-dubrisk-theatre-at-tusculum-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/cast-and-crew-preparing-to-launch-pollyanna-for-six-show-run-in-the-marilyn-dubrisk-theatre-at-tusculum-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Cast and crew preparing to launch “Pollyanna” for six-show run in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre at Tusculum University"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cPollyanna<\/a>,\u201d a delightful, award-winning musical written by a local resident that focuses on the indomitable spirit of a girl to overcome adversity is arriving soon at Tusculum University for a six-show run.<\/h3>\n
\"Maggie

Maggie Hall, one of the actresses who plays Pollyanna, performs a scene.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Actors

Actors demonstrate enthusiasm during the opening number at a rehearsal.<\/p><\/div>\n

Performances 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 Marilyn duBrisk Theatre, which is located on Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Art Center\u2019s main level. An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for opening night to assist guests with enjoying the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis musical has been great fun to develop during rehearsals, and the cast and crew are thrilled they will have the opportunity to present it in front of audiences,\u201d said Steve Schultz, the show\u2019s director. \u201cWe have assembled outstanding cast members who will bring tremendous energy to the stage as they bring this important story to life. We urge the community to join us because we guarantee everyone in the seats will have a great time.\u201d<\/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. Pollyanna responds with kindness and friendship, and that changes the town\u2019s viewpoint. A spirit of community begins to emerge. However, 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 multiple times, but the Theatre-at-Tusculum production will feature the music, lyrics and libretto that were written by David Gipson. 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.<\/p>\n

Gipson helped evaluate the singing components of \u201cPollyanna\u201d during auditions.<\/p>\n

\"Topnotch

Top-notch acting will be prominent in “Pollyanna.”<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Performances

Performances of “Pollyanna” will include wonderful scenes such as this.<\/p><\/div>\n

The show features a cast of about 35, many of whom have participated in Tusculum theater productions or other shows in the area. But the roster also includes some newcomers who are making their mark on \u201cPollyanna.\u201d You can view the entire cast at https:\/\/bit.ly\/4vpBECS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The role of Pollyanna is being split between Maggie Hall and Zanna Parker, both of whom are students in the Greene County school system and members of Tusculum Young Actors Studio, which meets at the university. One of these young actresses will perform in the role for an entire show, and then the other will play Pollyanna in another performance.<\/p>\n

Among the other actors are three Tusculum students \u2013 Michael Bumgarner, Sam McCamey and James Sams \u2013 and alumni, such as Angela Bride, Zack Gass and Dr. Melissa Koehler.<\/p>\n

The behind-the-scenes team is rich in experience with Tusculum theater productions. Faith Rader is serving at the show\u2019s music director, a position she has held before, including for the wildly popular \u201cNewsies\u201d in 2024. Izzy Wilson, a Tusculum freshman who has performed in many shows, is serving as the stage manager for this one.<\/p>\n

Erin Hensley Schultz, Tusculum\u2019s costume director, is overseeing the attire for this production as well and choreographed the show. She also teamed with Gipson and Rader to evaluate the musical elements of \u201cPollyanna\u201d auditions. She has an extensive portfolio on stage and in leadership roles that support productions.<\/p>\n

\"Steve

Steve Schultz is directing the production.<\/p><\/div>\n

Leading the way is Steve Schultz, who serves as director of Tusculum Arts Outreach<\/a> and has a prolific r\u00e9sum\u00e9 as an actor, writer and director. He most recently performed in \u201cThe Sneeze\u201d and directed the \u201c5 X 10 Plays,\u201d \u201cJoseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat\u201d and \u201cNewsies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful we can bring \u2018Pollyanna\u2019 to Tusculum and are ecstatic to hold another exceptional theater production on campus,\u201d he said. \u201cOur shows contribute significantly to the community\u2019s quality of life, and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our civic engagement by entertaining our friends and neighbors. We enrich people\u2019s lives and are honored to be part of the region\u2019s cultural fabric.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPollyanna\u201d tickets are available at https:\/\/www.onthestage.tickets\/tusculum-university<\/a>. The cost is $12 plus fees for individuals aged 3-12. Guests who are 13-54 pay $20 plus fees. Anyone 55 or older pay $15 plus fees.<\/p>\n

Theatre-at-Tusculum is part of\u00a0Arts Outreach\u00a0and 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 \u201cPollyanna<\/a>,\u201d a delightful, award-winning musical written by a local resident that focuses on the indomitable spirit of a girl to overcome adversity is arriving soon at Tusculum University for a six-show run.<\/h3>\n

Performances 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 Marilyn duBrisk Theatre, which is located on Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Art Center\u2019s main level. An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for opening night to assist guests with enjoying the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis musical has been great fun to develop during rehearsals, and the cast and crew are thrilled they will have the opportunity to present it in front of audiences,\u201d said Steve Schultz, the show\u2019s director. \u201cWe have assembled outstanding cast members who will bring tremendous energy to the stage as they bring this important story to life. We urge the community to join us because we guarantee everyone in the seats will have a great time.\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":"\nCast and crew preparing to launch "Pollyanna" for six-show run in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre 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\/cast-and-crew-preparing-to-launch-pollyanna-for-six-show-run-in-the-marilyn-dubrisk-theatre-at-tusculum-university\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cast and crew preparing to launch "Pollyanna" for six-show run in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre at Tusculum University :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 \u201cPollyanna,\u201d a delightful, award-winning musical written by a local resident that focuses on the indomitable spirit of a girl to overcome adversity is arriving soon at Tusculum University for a six-show run. Performances 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 Marilyn duBrisk Theatre, which is located on Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Art Center\u2019s main level. An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for opening night to assist guests with enjoying the show. \u201cThis musical has been great fun to develop during rehearsals, and the cast and crew are thrilled they will have the opportunity to present it in front of audiences,\u201d said Steve Schultz, the show\u2019s director. \u201cWe have assembled outstanding cast members who will bring tremendous energy to the stage as they bring this important story to life. We urge the community to join us because we guarantee everyone in the seats will have a great time.\u201d Read the full article...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2026\/cast-and-crew-preparing-to-launch-pollyanna-for-six-show-run-in-the-marilyn-dubrisk-theatre-at-tusculum-university\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY NEWS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T18:28:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-08T20:26:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/28-87-272x300.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jim Wozniak\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading 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