Humble beginnings…Log Cabin to Executive Mansion.

Lincoln’s Indiana legacy lives on through theatre, song, dance

 LINCOLN CITY, IN—-President Abraham Lincoln grew up in southern Indiana.

“My childhood-home I see again, And gladden with the view: And still as mem’ries crowd my brain, There’s sadness in it too,” said President Lincoln in reference to his Indiana homestead.

In 1816, Thomas, Nancy, Sarah, and Abraham Lincoln moved from their home in Kentucky to the new state of Indiana. The nation’s 16^th president lived in a one-room log cabin from the time he was seven until the age of 21.  In Indiana, he studied by candlelight, received his one-year of formal education, took two flatboat trips to New Orleans, and suffered the great losses of both his beloved mother and sister.

In the land of Indiana’s Lincoln sits a 1500-seat, covered amphitheatre named for the 16^th president himself, Lincoln Amphitheatre. Built in the 1980s, the community visionaries behind the building of the amphitheatre wanted to tell the little known story of Lincoln’s Indiana years to the nation through theatre. During the summer months, visitors can witness those stories come to life in the outdoor musical drama A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale is written and directed by Ken Jones, the resident playwright for Northern Kentucky University. Jones hopes audiences not only will enjoy the theatrical spectacle of the large dance and choral numbers, but walk away with a sense of joy and pride that a young pioneer boy could grow up to be one of the greatest leaders of all time.

“Our 16th President was homegrown in Indiana.  I feel that we all know a lot about the President Lincoln, the civil war leader… but there are so many stories of the boy.  I learned so many things about Abe’s friends and family, and I believe that those friends and family sculpted this great leader,” Jones said.

President Lincoln acts as the narrator in A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale. The production begins with a scene between President Lincoln and his two boys Willie and Tad. His two sons begin to ask their father questions about his Indiana boyhood years.  As President Lincoln starts to answer his sons’ questions, the scene fades and his stories come to life on the very grounds they took place.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, the two-act musical play enhanced by an original score of ten songs, will take the 1500-seat, covered Lincoln Amphitheatre’s stage on June 7 and will run Wednesday to Saturdays evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. CDT with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26 at 2 p.m. CDT.

Ticket prices are $19 for adults; $16 for seniors ages 55 and older, students ages seven to 21, and military; and $6 for children ages six and under. An optional buffet dinner is available to guests who make reservations at least five days in advance for additional price.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale runs June 7 to June 29, Wednesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Tickets for the production are currently on sale at www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or through the box office at 800-264-4ABE.

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Oscar-winning ‘Lincoln’ inspired trip:

Lincoln’s legacy lives on in Indiana

 LINCOLN CITY, IN—-Abraham Lincoln grew up in Indiana.

In 1816, Thomas, Nancy, Sarah, and Abraham Lincoln moved from their home in Kentucky to the new state of Indiana. The nation’s 16^th president lived in a one-room log cabin from the time he was seven until the age of 21.  In Indiana, he studied by candlelight, received his one-year of formal education, took two flatboat trips to New Orleans, and suffered the great losses of both his beloved mother and sister.

In the land of Indiana’s Lincoln sits a 1500-seat, covered amphitheatre named for the 16^th president himself, Lincoln Amphitheatre. Built in the 1980s, the community visionaries behind the building of the amphitheatre wanted to tell the little known story of Lincoln’s Indiana years to the nation through theatre. During the summer months, visitors can witness those stories come to life in the outdoor musical drama A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale.A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale is written and directed by Ken Jones, the resident playwright for Northern Kentucky University. Jones hopes audiences not only will enjoy the theatrical spectacle of the large dance and choral numbers, but walk away with a sense of joy and pride that a young pioneer boy could grow up to be one of the greatest leaders of all time.

“Our 16th President was homegrown in Indiana.  I feel that we all know a lot about the President Lincoln, the civil war leader… but there are so many stories of the boy.  I learned so many things about Abe's friends and family, and I believe that those friends and family sculpted this great leader,” Jones said.

President Lincoln acts as the narrator in A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale. The production begins with a scene between President Lincoln and his two boys Willie and Tad. His two sons begin to ask their father questions about his Indiana boyhood years.  As President Lincoln starts to answer his sons’ questions, the scene fades and his stories come to life on the very grounds they took place.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale runs June 7 to June 29, Wednesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Tickets for the production are currently on sale at www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or through the box office at 800-264-4ABE.           

Lincoln Amphitheatre to host auditions for Lincoln musical

LINCOLN CITY, IND.—-Auditions for the second season of Lincoln Amphitheatre’s A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will take place in February.

Lincoln Amphitheatre will host two auditions for its signature piece A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, a two-act musical about President Lincoln's Indiana boyhood years. It is directed by Ken Jones.

Lincoln City, Indiana: Auditions will be held at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial’s Nancy Hanks Hall, 2916 E South St., Friday, February 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CST and Saturday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will feature a cast of approximately 32 members with additional extra roles. There are roles for children ages ten and older and adult roles available. Interested actors and dancers do not need to set up an appointment, but should block out the full three hours scheduled for auditions. Lincoln Amphitheatre will be auditioning for singing, non-singing, extra, and dancer only roles. All roles being casted are paid positions, and housing will be available if needed. Persons should contact Lincoln Amphitheatre for further assistance if they are interested in auditioning and unable to attend one of the two dates.

Singing roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring sheet music for a musical theatre song. A pianist will be present.

All non-singing and extra roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring a one minute monologue from any play. Actors will also be asked to read from the script.

Dancer only: Interested dancers should prepare a one minute dance and bring a CD.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale is a two-act musical play enhanced with ten original songs and score about Abraham Lincoln’s journey from an Indiana pioneer to President of the United States. Abraham Lincoln lived in southern Indiana from the ages of seven to 21. Lincoln Amphitheatre is located on the grounds Lincoln grew up.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will run June 7 – June 29, Wednesday – Saturday evenings with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Season tickets for Lincoln Amphitheatre's theatrical season (A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, Godspell, and Macbeth) are currently on sale at the discounted rate of $40 a person until Tuesday, February 12. Individual tickets for A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will go on sale Tuesday, February 12.

For more information about auditions and Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 2013 season, call 1-800-264-4ABE or visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org.

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Well, we are not really having a party, but we are hosting auditions for "A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale!" 

The "Needs to Know" Information

When: Come either Friday, February 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CST OR Saturday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST.

Where: It is not at Lincoln Amphitheatre, but very close. We are hosting auditions at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Nancy Hanks Hall (across the street from Lincoln State Park)

What we are Looking for

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will feature a cast of approximately 32 members with additional extra roles. There are roles for children ages ten and older and adult roles available. Lincoln Amphitheatre will be auditioning for singing, non-singing, extra, and dancer only roles. All roles being casted are paid positions, and housing will be available if needed. 

What you Need to Do or Prepare

* Interested actors and dancers do not need to set up an appointment, but should block out the full three hours scheduled for auditions.

*Singing roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring sheet music for a musical theatre song. A pianist will be present.

*All non-singing and extra roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring a one minute monologue from any play. Actors will also be asked to read from the script.

*Dancer only: Interested dancers should prepare a one minute dance and bring a CD.

Want to auditions, but can't make the dates?

Please contact Lincoln Amphitheatre at 812-937-9730, and one of the staff members will be happy to assist you. 

Just think…if you receive a part, you could become part of this: