Celebrating its 10th season, CenterStage Performing Arts’ Deck the Halls production brings a unique holiday experience to Gallatin. Unlike typical holiday shows, Deck the Halls incorporates singing, dancing, acting and aerial acrobatics, showcasing the many talents of its young cast. This annual variety show was inspired by The Magic of Christmas by The Young Americans’ Christmas Show, a show close to the hearts of CenterStage’s team, who performed it together for years. Through Deck the Halls, they hope to recreate that same holiday joy and nostalgia for Gallatin’s young performers and audiences!
Deck the Halls has grown significantly since its first performance at Gallatin’s Palace Theatre, which featured a 40-minute show with just 19 kids. Today, it’s a two-hour production with a cast of around 50. Every three years, the team revamps the entire show, bringing in new themes and choreography while honoring past performances. In 2020, they themed the production around Gallatin’s holiday traditions, and last year, they reimagined it in New York City, inspired by the Rockettes and Broadway. This year’s show keeps the New York theme but celebrates its 10-year legacy with photos, memories and a tribute to a senior cast member who’s performed in every show since its inception. Her featured song, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," has been a staple of the production since 2016, and its return this season is a meaningful nod to the show’s history.
The storyline of Deck the Halls follows "Nashville Girl," who ventures to New York to experience the magic of a big-city Christmas. While she initially revels in the excitement, she eventually returns home to Tennessee, realizing that Christmas is best spent with family and friends. This message of belonging and connection resonates with audiences of all ages and brings a touch of heartwarming nostalgia to the production.
What truly sets Deck the Halls apart is the growth and confidence it inspires. Students who start out shy often come into their own by the holiday season, taking the stage with newfound energy and pride. This year, several students are celebrating their fifth, sixth, or even tenth season with the show, and inspiring younger cast members with every step. These "springboard veterans" bring an infectious energy to the stage that helps set the tone for each performance, adding a sense of tradition and continuity to the holiday experience.
Since 2015, CenterStage Performing Arts has grown beyond a traditional dance studio to become a comprehensive arts center. Alongside dance, students can take classes in acting, vocal performance, technical production and even circus arts, including aerial silks and lyra. The studio’s evolution has allowed students to develop well-rounded skills while building lasting connections. With a commitment to fostering community partnerships, CenterStage collaborates with other arts organizations to expand opportunities and raise the bar for youth arts education in Gallatin.
Community support has been crucial to CenterStage’s success and to making Deck the Halls a cherished local tradition. Beyond family and friends, residents from across Gallatin come to see the show each year, making it an annual event that kicks off the holiday season. For the CenterStage team, this ongoing support motivates them to push creative boundaries and offer something fresh and exciting every season.
Looking towards the next decade, CenterStage’s team hopes to continue making Deck the Halls a holiday tradition for every family in Gallatin. With new medleys, evolving storylines and inspiring performances, they’re committed to keeping the production dynamic, fun and memorable. Fueled by a passion for the arts and a dedication to the community, CenterStage Performing Arts and its talented young cast are sure to bring holiday joy to Gallatin for many years to come.
"The best place to celebrate Christmas is with family and friends."