Belmont Rep Co production to debut at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in connection with its current Dolly Parton exhibition before touring local elementary schools
A six-minute children’s book has become a year-long creative journey for Belmont theatre students.
Through the Department of Theatre & Dance Repertory Company (Rep Co), students are bringing Dolly Parton’s beloved “Billy the Kid Makes It Big” to life this spring.
Their original theatre production will debut Feb. 28 with a special public performance in alignment with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s current Dolly Parton exhibit before touring local elementary schools throughout the Nashville area.
Created, written and performed entirely by students, the production offers a hands-on reflection of Belmont’s commitment to experiential learning.
From Storybook to Stage
Early in the fall semester, students gathered to hear the audiobook of “Billy the Kid Makes It Big,” narrated by Parton herself.
“We didn’t start with a script; we had to figure out how to fill in the narrative gaps and make the story work on stage,” said Claire Hickey, a theatre education major. “A lot of it came from exploring, improvising and building ideas together.”
From there, they began the challenge of expanding the story and imagining how the book’s heart and humor could translate into a live performance.
Developed in alignment with Belmont’s Dolly U initiative, the production preserves the spirit of Parton’s storytelling while allowing students to build something entirely their own. Themes of kindness, perseverance, friendship and believing in one’s gifts anchor the show –– messages designed to resonate with young audiences, many of whom may be experiencing live theatre for the first time.
“Children’s theatre is an entirely different kind of storytelling,” said Connor Boggs, a theatre education major. “You have to think about engagement, adaptability and how to meet kids where they are — and that changes how you create everything.”
Learning by Doing
Belmont Rep Co operates differently than a traditional university production. Rather than separating performers from production teams, students function as a small professional touring company — writing the script, composing music, designing costumes and props, managing logistics and coordinating performances themselves.
“This project gives students the rare opportunity to experience the full life cycle of a professional production, from script development and music creation to design, touring logistics and performance,” said Dr. Carla Lahey, assistant professor of theatre and director of Belmont Rep Co.
In addition to performing, students take on specialized roles that mirror real-world theatre careers. Theatre education majors developed classroom curriculum guides aligned with elementary learning standards, providing teachers with tools to prepare students before the show and continue conversations afterward. Other students serve as music directors, stage managers, designers and tour coordinators.
The result is a classroom without walls where lessons in collaboration, adaptability and leadership unfold in real time.
Connecting With Young Audiences
For sophomore theatre performance major Danny Mantel, who plays the main character Billy, the responsibility of the role goes far beyond performance.
“Billy is vulnerable,” Mantel said. “He has big dreams, but he also worries about being good enough. And I think that’s something a lot of kids recognize in themselves.”
Billy’s journey — navigating self-doubt, facing bullying and learning to trust his own voice — mirrors experiences many children encounter as they grow up, a connection Mantel says shapes how he approaches every performance.
“Knowing this may be the first live performance a child has ever seen brings a real sense of responsibility,” he said. “I hope kids walk away believing they have a gift worth holding onto and people who will help them believe in it.”
As the production tours elementary schools, students will perform in a variety of spaces, from libraries and cafeterias to gyms and auditoriums, adapting the show to meet young audiences where they are.
A Broader Storytelling Legacy
The project continues Belmont's exploration of Dolly Parton's storytelling legacy, particularly her commitment to literacy and creative expression. The Feb. 28 debut aligns with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's current Dolly Parton exhibit, which highlights her work through initiatives like the Imagination Library.
“At its heart, this is about meaningful storytelling,” Lahey said. “It’s about preparing students to create work that connects with real communities and giving children stories that remind them they’re seen, valued and capable of dreaming big.”
Stories That Travel
As Belmont Rep Co prepares to take “Billy the Kid Makes It Big” on the road, students know the impact of the production won’t be measured solely by applause.
“I hope kids see themselves in Billy,” Mantel said. “And I hope they leave knowing they don’t have to give up on what makes them who they are.”
For the students who created it, the journey from page to stage has already done just that: transforming a simple story into an experience that educates, inspires and travels far beyond campus.
“Knowing this may be the first live performance a child has ever seen brings a real sense of responsibility. I hope kids walk away believing they have a gift worth holding onto and people who will help them believe in it.”
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