Two theatrical productions that are part of the annual Bell Witch Fall Festival held in Adams, TN, will soon be hosting auditions for their scheduled October performances.

Written by Adams native and APSU alumnus David Alford (“Bucky Dawes,” ABC TV series NASHVILLE), SMOKE: A BALLAD OF THE NIGHT RIDERS and SPIRIT: THE AUTHENTIC BELL WITCH EXPERIENCE, are historical pieces that include a great deal about the Clarksville area and people, and Clarksville has been selected as one audition location for this year.

Auditions will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, June 15 at the Trahern Theatre on the Austin Peay State University campus, located on 8th Street off of College Street. Auditions will also be held in Nashville from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, located at 8204 Highway 10.

Each person must sign up for a five minute audition time slot. Audition pieces should consist of a monologue, as well as sixteen bars of a song, totaling no more than two minutes. An accompanist will be provided. Those auditioning should bring sheet music in the correct key. If playing instrument such as guitar, mandolin, autoharp, violin/fiddle, harmonica, etc., attendees should bring it and be prepared to play a piece of their choosing that reflects the region (country/western, bluegrass, gospel/hymn or classic American folk).

SMOKE is a musical about the historic Night Riders in Tennessee and Kentucky who destroyed the homes, crops and families of those farmers who either couldn’t or wouldn’t maintain their allegiance to the Tobacco Association during the early twentieth century. The score has a country/bluegrass feel. Directed by Anna Filippo (Director, 2014 production), SMOKE will be in its fifth production year. The cast is an ensemble of at least seven, including five men, one woman and one young boy (approximate age 6-9). Primarily professional actors are needed, both Equity and non-Equity. There is a sliding pay scale. Performance dates are: Thursday – Saturday, October 1-3 and 8-10, 2015. Rehearsals begin around August 24.

SPIRIT is a play with incidental music (hymns and folk songs of the period) and is based on Richard Williams Bell’s historic memoir, detailing the infamous Bell family haunting by a mysterious and often mischievous spirit known as “Kate” during the early nineteenth century in Adams, Tennessee. Directed by Derek Whittaker (Director, 2014 production), SPIRIT will be in its fourteenth production year. An ensemble of storytellers is needed, including up to twenty men and women of all ages, physical types and levels of experience. Specifically two boys, ages five through twelve, will play the roles of Williams Bell and Joel Bell. One black male, age twenty to sixty, will play the role of Dean, the Bell Family slave. Professional actors, both Equity and non-Equity, are encouraged to attend, as are amateur, community and student actors. All roles are available. There is a sliding pay scale. Performance dates are: Thursday – Saturday, October 22-24 and 29-31, 2015. Rehearsals begin around September 26.

To secure an audition time, email Producer Anna Filippo (annafilippo@att.net) Actors will not be seen without an audition appointment. Callbacks will follow on the evening of each general audition.

For more information on the 2015 Bell Witch Fall Festival, visit the website.