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A Southern Appalachian Christmas is showing December 8-18, 2022 here at Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre!
In this holiday musical set right here in WNC, Sara hasn’t been home for Christmas since she moved to New York six years ago. Now, for the first time in years, Sara is back in her hometown, celebrating with the family and friends she left behind. During this visit, she learns exactly what’s most important to her and gains a new respect for where she came from. It’s a story of love, hope, and cheer during the holiday season.
We reached out to Madison Garris to find out more about her and her experience working on this production.
What is your favorite part of this show and why?
My favorite part of this show is the heart-warming ending which culminates in a beautifully touching song about the importance of family and home. This is the perfect message for the holiday season.
What have you loved so far about working with SART?
My all-time favorite show to date is The Hunchback of Notre Dame which I performed in this past summer at SART. The cast and crew were wonderful to work with! It was such an emotionally gratifying experience that I jumped at the chance to join the cast of A Southern Appalachian Christmas. The people here are the best!
Tell us about your character. What’s your favorite thing about them? What do you love about getting to portray them?
My character, Sara, is a modern-day Scrooge; however, my favorite thing about her is the positive character development she goes through. I love getting to portray characters that experience a variety of emotions and personal growth on their journey through the story.
How did you get into theatre?
When I moved to NC at 6 years old, I began taking musical theater classes at MusicWorks! Studio of the Performing Arts. Two years later, I was working professionally in dinner theater and I haven't stopped performing since!
What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?
One of my favorite things to do in the area is tabletop gaming with friends. As a matter of fact, I am currently in a long running game with two of my cast mates, Mike Yow and Matt Edwardsen. We are playing Savage Kingdoms which is a RPG created and produced by Mike.
What about this production are you the most excited about?
I am most exited about the opportunity to work with so many talented actors, many of whom I've had the pleasure to perform with before, as well as being in a world premiere musical!
What’s your favorite part about performing?
My favorite part about performing is taking on the personas of different characters who are totally different than myself. Acting can result in one's own character development by stepping into other's shoes and finding the empathy to truly understand different points of view. It has broadened my horizons and helps to make me a better person.
Do you have any upcoming projects we should check out?
I will be appearing in The 39 Steps this January at Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
Biography
Madison is delighted to be onstage once again after her SART debut this summer in The Hunchback of Notre Dame! She is an actress, singer, and voice over artist from Waynesville, NC. Her professional career began at 8 years old in dinner theater and she has since appeared in numerous musicals, operettas, operas, and plays across western NC. Some of her recent theater credits include Bathsheba in the world premiere of David: The Faces of Love, Sally Applewhite in It's a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play, and Tangorra Depri in the world premiere of the children's musical Denton the Dragon. Other notable roles include Abigail in The Crucible, Luisa in The Fantasticks, and Anybodys in West Side Story. Her film credits include the lead role in The Rush Chairman available on Amazon as well as recurring roles for the YouTube web series: When Fact Met Fiction and PT: Pain & Torture where she was awarded Best Supporting Actress for the 2020 Asia Web Awards. She is also currently appearing on a local television PSA for Homeward Bound. Her voice over credits include several podcasts, video games, commercials, and audiobooks including the lead character, "Rachel" in H.R. Hutzel's BethEl series, Anointed. Madison will be appearing next in The 39 Steps at Black Mountain Center for the Arts this January. You can follow Madison at madisongarris.com (Psalm 104:33)
A Southern Appalachian Christmas is showing December 8-18, 2022. Grab your tickets here: https://www.sartplays.com/asouthernappalachianchristmas