Auditions

Technicians

We hire technicians in the following departments:

• Technical Direction
• Stage Management
• Lighting
• Sound
• Projections
• Costumes
• Scenic
• Pyrotechnics
• Props

We have a high level of return from year to year, so not all positions are available each season. We will keep your resume on file for future consideration if we are unable to hire you this season.

Technicians, please submit a resume and headshot or recent photo to Chelsey Moore at chelsey@cherokeeadventure.com

Contract Dates

Technicians – May 5 through August 30, 2025

Actors – May 9 through August 23, 2025

6 shows per week – Monday through Saturday

About Unto These Hills

Unto These Hills is the third oldest outdoor drama in the country and has been seen by over six million people. It tells the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from first contact with Europeans through the removal west on the infamous trail of tears. We feature a large cast, dance elements, stage combat, firearms, and explosives.

We prioritize hiring members of Indigenous tribes, but we hire folks of all backgrounds. Our Board of Directors is 100% enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and we work closely with the EBCI tribal government. The EBCI wants this story told to as many people as possible and understands that as a nonprofit organization with a limited budget, 100% Indigenous casting is not always possible. Additionally, there are some roles in the show that are most appropriately played by white actors, including members of the American army and government.

Onsite housing is available for those from out of town. We do not provide meals. We have a ticket exchange program that provides free tickets to 20+ area attractions. Once the show opens, company members have free time until their call time each evening. Most actors work ~30 hours per week from opening to closing. We also have an in-house blackbox season where actors, dancers, and aspiring directors and designers can workshop their skills if they so choose.

We have a high level of return from year to year, so not all roles are available each season. We will keep your resume/audition on file for future consideration.

Casting Breakdown

(please note, not all roles are available)

Please note, for the Indigenous roles listed below, we will consider non-Indigenous BIPOC individuals when necessary.

In order of speaking appearance:

Lead Eagle – 18 or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous preferred, featured dancer

Cofaltechequi – 20s or older, Female or female presenting, BIPOC (Indigenous preferred), Familiarity with Spanish preferred, A leader of a different tribe, Translates for the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto

Beloved Man – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A leader of the Cherokee tribe

Hernando De Soto – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Latino preferred, Familiarity with Spanish preferred, Spanish conquistador, speaks in Spanish

Tecumseh – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous, Member of the Shawnee tribe who believes all tribes should fight against the American government

White Path – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), War Chief of the Cherokee, Agrees with Tecumseh, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

John Ross – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White or mixed-race, a Cherokee leader and businessman, Half Cherokee and half Scottish, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Yonaguska – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), Leader of the Cherokee tribe throughout the play, Always tries to do what is best for his people, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Sequoyah – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), Wise Cherokee leader and inventor of the Cherokee syllabary

War Woman – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A Cherokee leader, Disagrees with Tecumseh

Junaluska – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), An important Cherokee figure and warrior, fought in the War of 1812 alongside future American president Andrew Jackson, A friend of Tsali, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Tsali – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A Cherokee man who will eventually make an important sacrifice for his people, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Wilani – 30s or older, Female or female-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A Cherokee woman, Tsali’s wife and mother of their 4 children

Sam Houston – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, A white man from Tennessee who was raised by the Cherokee and fights in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Andrew Jackson – 25 or older, Male or male-presenting, White, General of the American Army in the War of 1812, Later becomes president and betrays the Cherokee, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Lewis Cass – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Jackson’s right hand man, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Mrs. Perkins – 30s or older, Female or female-presenting, White, a friend to Tsali and Wilani

Molly – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, White, A fiery shop owner who sides with the Cherokee, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Monk – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, A gold prospector who thinks the Cherokee should leave, Ring leader of the other prospectors, Comedic relief, Should have some familiarity with stage combat and

Asa, Elijah, Daniel – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Prospectors and comedic relief, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Reverend John F. Schermerhorn – 25 or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Sent by the American government to “convince” the Cherokee to sign a treaty and agree to move out west, Used car salesman vibes

Mr. Reed – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Any ethnicity, Schermerhorn’s sidekick and muscle

William Holland Thomas – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, A white man adopted by Yonaguska, Helps the Cherokee start to get their land back

Reverend Samuel Worcester – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, A reverend from Massachusetts who has become a friend of the Cherokee

Elias Boudinot – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A Cherokee preacher who believes the Cherokee should move to the west

Nukwadeye – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred) Yonaguska’s wife and Suyeta’s mother, Has opinions

Ann Worcester – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, White, Reverend Worcestor’s wife and friend of the Cherokee

Nundayeli – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), Tsali and Wilani’s daughter, Marries Suyeta

Lieutenant – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Lieutenant of the American Army, Major Davis’s right hand man

Major James Davis – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, American Army major, Tasked with removing the Cherokee to the west

Constable – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, A sleazy constable trying to take money from Cherokee families, Comedic relief

Deputy – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, The Constable’s sidekick, Comedic relief

Soldier Smith – tasked with rounding up Cherokee families for removal, Nervous, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Soldier Overfield – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Tasked with rounding up Cherokee families for removal, Drunk on the job, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

Kanega – 18 or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preference), Tsali and Wilani’s oldest son, Helps Tsali and his younger brothers escape, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Reverend Bushyhead – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A Cherokee spiritual leader, Speaks Cherokee

Anna Harrison – 20s or older, Female or female-presenting, White, President Harrison’s doting wife

Doctor – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Has come to attend to an ill President Harrison

William Henry Harrison – 30s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Newly elected president that has fallen ill, Cantankerous

Daniel Webster – 25 or older, Male or male-presenting, White, American Senator who helps Yonaguska and Will Thomas get a meeting with the President

Suyeta – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), Yonaguska and Nukwadeye’s son, Married to Nundayeli

Dance Ensemble – 18 or older, Any gender, Any ethnicity (Indigenous preferred), Perform stylized versions of traditional Cherokee dances, Also understudy speaking roles

Soldiers – 18 or older, Any gender, Any ethnicity, Various soldiers throughout, May play or understudy speaking roles, Familiarity with stage combat preferred

Ensemble – 18 or older, Any gender, Any ethnicity (Indigenous preferred), Various ensemble members that play members of the Cherokee community, May play or understudy speaking roles, May be actor/technicians with backstage duties

Youth Company – Ages approximately 5 to 17, Any gender, Any ethnicity, Must be local to area