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Auditions


Local Auditions

Saturday, January 20, 2024 2pm to 5pm
564 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC

Please prepare one memorized monologue, no longer than 2 minutes. If you sing, please also prepare 16 bars of a song. Please note, there will not be an accompanist on site. Please bring your resume and headshot or recent photo. If you don’t have a monologue, we will provide you with a passage to read. If you don’t have a resume, there will be an info sheet to fill out.

We will be auditioning for adult company acting, dancing, and fighting roles and the youth ensemble.

Unified Professional Theatre Auditions

February 2-5, 2024 Memphis, TN

We will be attending UPTA virtually in 2024

Summer and Outdoor Theatre Auditions

We will be attending SOTA virtually in 2024

Southeastern Theatre Conference

March 13-17, 2024 Mobile, AL

We will be attending SETC in person. We will be in the audition room and will have a table at the job fair to interview technicians.

Virtual Submissions

If you are not attending one of the auditions listed above, you may submit your audition electronically. Please send a filmed audition video to Artistic Director, Marina Hunley-Graham, at [email protected]. If you have a dance and/or fight reel, please send those too. Please note, you must submit a dance reel to be considered for a dance role.

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

[email protected]

Contract Dates

Technicians – April 29, 2024 through August 24, 2024

Actors – May 3, 2024 through August 17, 2024

6 shows per week – Monday through Saturday

About Unto These Hills

Unto These Hills is the third oldest outdoor drama in the country. It tells the story 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.

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 if we are unable to cast you this season.

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, Any ethnicity, Featured dancer

Cofaltechequi – 20s or older, Female or female presenting, BIPOC (Indigenous preferred), Familiar with Spanish, 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, 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

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

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, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

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

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

Wilani – 30s or older, Female or female-presenting, Indigenous (Cherokee preferred), A young 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, Familiarity with stage combat

Lewis Cass – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Jackson’s right hand man, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

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 and/or slapstick comedy

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/or slapstick comedy

Asa, Elijah, Daniel – 20s or older, Male or male-presenting, White, Prospectors and comedic relief, Should have some familiarity with stage combat and/or slapstick comedy 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 the Cherokee families that are being forced to leave, 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, Should have some familiarity with stage combat

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, 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, Should have stage combat experience

Ensemble – 18 or older, Any gender, Any ethnicity, 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

Local Auditions for the 2023 season will be Saturday, January 21 from 2-5PM. Auditions will be at the main office located at 564 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee NC, 28719. Please bring a headshot/resume and have a one minute monologue prepared. For Children, audition material will be provided.

If you’re interested in auditioning, contact us!

Housing – Offered for $20 per week including utilities.

Some of our units are air conditioned and all are furnished, most have private bedrooms, shared living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Laundry facilities are on site in addition to DirectTV and internet. You must bring your own TV/Computer to take advantage of this free service. Our units have a mix of twin and full-size beds so you will need to check with Thaddeus Walker to determine to what you are assigned. Kitchens utensils, cookware bedding etc., are NOT furnished. Our housing and rehearsal spacesa are walking distance to the theatre.

Meals –Are NOT provided

Transportation 

If you have a car you should bring it, we have plenty of parking and you will want to take advantage of all there is to see and do in and around Cherokee. If you

do not have a car, not to worry, many members carpool. Cherokee also offers a transit system in the area. If you are flying in, airport pickups can be arranged.

Rehearsals 

We work 8 of 10 hours each day with lunch and dinner breaks built into the schedule. After May 28th, you have most daytime hours free for exploring and working on other projects. CHA promotional events matinees, and workshops are part of your contract.

Strength Building

Company member should start strength training before they arrive in Cherokee for the season.  UTH is a fight and dance heavy show and performed on a sand stage. Most performers hired will be fighting or dancing during the production. If you have had any prior injuries please let us know.

Other Opportunities – CHA offers stage combat classes for certification, dance classes and Canteen shows that will keep your acting chops and physical needs met throughout the season.

Ticket Exchange Program with 30 attractions around the area that employees can go to for free.

Facilities

Mountainside theatre is located in the heart of Cherokee and has 2163 seats.

Stage

Our Productions are produced outdoors and on a sand and earthen stage area using nature and man-made structures to recreate the look and feel of the 1800’s.

Additional Duties

All company members will be expected to attend a light work call every Wednesday from 10-1 to keep our space clean and working efficiently.

Matinees

CHA will also produce at least 6 matinee performances of Unto These hills in late June through early August.

How to prepare

We work on a sand stage so once you have determined that CHA is the place for you, start preparing physically for the job.

Where is Cherokee

Cherokee is located thirty minutes off of Interstate 40 in the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the premiere tourist destinations on the East Coast. All amenities are easily accessible in Cherokee, Sylva and Bryson City. Each location offers an abundance of small town charm. Great shopping, food, world-class events, glistening rivers and streams with tubing and rafting, beautiful parks with hundreds of miles of trails and outdoor activities. You might even see one of the bears or elk in town.

Extra Money

CHA also has a living history museum, the Oconaluftee Indian village with a battle re-enactment during the day. Your CHA representative can provide you with more information if you are interested in being involved.

What CHA looking for

We are looking for artists who are serious about the work we do and are willing to learn and teach others as we all hone our crafts together. CHA hires a variety of experience levels, some artist have been in the business for thirty years, others are just starting the journey and everyone has something they can share and something they can learn.

We hire people from different cultures, religions, and life styles. We do not discriminate and ask the same of our company members. CHA expects our  employees behave like professionals at all times. This job is hard, and the hours can be long, but the rewards are numerous. One great reward is networking; it is one of the best tools of our trade. Your peers today may be your employer tomorrow. We expect you to be a “plays well with others” and “never runs with scissors” type of artist.

Oconaluftee Indian Village

As our patron’s step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village, they are transported back to witness the challenges of Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change. Our actors and interpreters interact with our guests as they participate in their daily activities.

The Village also plays host to a battle re-enactment called “Time of War,” featuring employees of the Oconaluftee Indian village and members of the cast from “Unto These Hills.”

Fun Facts

This upcoming season will be UTH’s 72nd summer producing the show and over 6 million people have seen the show since its premiere on July 1st 1950.

23,749 people saw the show the last summer it was produced.