Wednesday, Jan 8, 2020

Audition dates, times set for 2020 Broadway Comes to Greeneville

Young local performers will once again have the chance to take the stage alongside Broadway stars, while also helping their peers receive high-quality healthcare.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 27, auditions will take place across the region for the 2020 Broadway Comes to Greeneville event, which benefits Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Now in its ninth year, the show gives talented children from across the region the opportunity to perform alongside Broadway stars, who will travel to Northeast Tennessee. 

“Broadway shows are all about big dreams and big goals, which is fitting, because Niswonger Children’s Hospital started as a dream for this region,” said Jack Simpson, president of Ballad Health Foundation, which produces the event along with Consumer Credit Union, its presenting sponsor. “Through the passion, dedication and teamwork of our health system, team members and community, we’re living out that dream and making our children’s healthcare even better.”

Auditions will be held:

  • Monday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.: Barter Theatre, Smith Stage (formerly Barter Stage II), Abingdon, Virginia
  • Monday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.: Tusculum University, Annie Hogan Byrd Theatre, Greeneville, Tennessee
  • Monday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.: First Christian Church, 200 E. Mountcastle Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee

Auditions are open to youth ages 7 to 17. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a classical, country or Broadway song to perform. There will be a one-minute performance time for each vocalist, and for convenience, a wireless speaker, piano and CD player will be available. However, if vocalists want to use an accompanist, they will need to bring their own. Vocalists can only audition once.

Twenty young performers will then be selected to perform alongside Broadway veterans Beth Leavel (“Mamma Mia!,” “The Drowsy Chaperone”), Sarah Bowden (“A Chorus Line,” “Chicago”) Jay Armstrong (“Phantom of the Opera,” “On the Town”), Gary Mauer (“Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables”) and Elizabeth Southard (“Phantom of the Opera,” “The Sound of Music”).

The Niswonger Foundation – a philanthropic organization dedicated to creating opportunities for individual and community growth through education – will award college scholarships to the top five performers. Four finalists will be awarded $1,000 scholarships. The grand prize winner will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship. The awardees can use the scholarships toward the college or university of their choice.

Broadway Comes to Greeneville will be held Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville. Tickets are on sale now at www.npacgreeneville.com.

For more information, please visit Ballad Health Foundation’s web page, or call 423-302-3131.