THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A cast of some 100 young performers is spending nights this week rehearsing for a long-standing south Georgia holiday tradition, the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe’s 2018 Christmas Show. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Saturday, when the group of teenaged singers and dancers will be ready to wow its audience.

“Troupe shows traditionally feature the best of south Georgia’s young people, and this year’s Christmas production is no exception,” said Troupe President April Mathis. “This is a family show, with something for everybody — familiar Christmas carols, classical sacred pieces, high energy dancers — and we invite the community to come out and be truly entertained as we usher in the holiday season.”  

Mathis said nine of this year’s cast are from Colquitt County — the most ever, so far as she knows. They include Wesleyan Hart, Dejah Kennedy, Gigi Kline, Ellie Ladson, Jackson Land, Carolyn Matthews, Isabella Matthews, Retta Mathis and Mary Grace Powers.

Troupe members aren’t necessarily trained singers and dancers, or experienced on-stage performers… at least not when they join the group.

“Of course, we have our share of superb musicians, award-winning actors and pointe ballerinas, but we also have many who are also well known on the basketball court and football and soccer fields, as cheerleaders, honor students and debate champs,” Mathis said. “And that’s important to us because Troupe was never ‘set aside’ for those with perfect pitch.  Many of our student members come with no stage experience or formal training, but they leave as seasoned performers.”Mathis explained the group reaches across the region and seeks a diverse membership.

“Troupe kids come from across southwest Georgia — from Thomas, Grady, Decatur, Colquitt and Mitchell counties currently — and they represent public and private schools, and the home-school community,” she said. “They put aside their school rivalries and work together with a common goal of a great show.”

Stephanie Hart is directing the Troupe’s Christmas Show, with hands-on involvement from Artistic Director Raymond Hughes. Pianist Tom Whiddon heads up an ensemble of live musicians, Raina Miranda is Troupe’s choreographer and Brantley Ivey Harrison serves as assistant to the director.

The Troupe’s holiday production is one of two shows the group of young entertainers presents annually, the other held each May since 1974.

The Troupe traces its history back to 1972 when Georgia natives Fred and Winnie Allen relocated to Thomasville after a successful decade-long career in New York’s stage and recording industry. The couple founded a group of student performers to share their experiences, as well as Fred Allen’s education and training at the country’s finest music and theatre programs. Since that time, the Troupe has touched several thousand young people, performed for audiences from 50 to 50,000 and launched a number of performing artists’ careers.

A limited number of tickets may be available at the door. For more information on tickets, contact Ali Thomas at (229) 977-2008.