It was a proud day on May 5, 2024, when Pull-Tight Players recognized 55 years of bringing affordable, memorable theatre arts to the City of Franklin and Williamson County. During its annual Artist Members’ Meeting, State Sen. Jack Johnson and Franklin’s Mayor Ken Moore and City Administrator Ken Stuckey attended to personally present their honors.

Pull-Tight received a state congressional resolution honoring its service, and the City of Franklin presented a certificate of recognition.

Pull-Tight’s lifetime board member Iain Macpherson read the state resolution to those in attendance.

Read the Williamson Herald article about the event.

Read the full text of the Tennessee congressional resolution.

For more than 50 years, Pull-Tight Players has brought high-quality entertainment to Franklin and Williamson County. This holiday season, the organization brought its performers and volunteers out of the theater and into the streets to celebrate.

Pull-Tight participated in the Franklin Christmas Parade Dec. 2, with volunteers carrying our banner and a bright red Ford F-150 playing the part of Santa’s sleigh. Kids received candy, and attendees got a taste of the community spirit Pull-Tight is known for.

On Dec. 9 and 10, Pull-Tight lent its talent pool to the main stage entertainment at the annual Dickens of a Christmas street festival. Actress, choreographer, and former board member Bre Hall coordinated the players in a 20-minute review of Christmas favorites.

“Our Dickens of a Christmas performance was such a delight,” said Hall. We plucked out the best bits from all your festive favorites, including Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, the Musical, Elf, the Musical, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

“Our all-star cast and creative team had a jolly good time rehearsing this review. Our only mission was to lift spirits and spread cheer, while celebrating the talents of our diverse and inclusive community theater.

“Our eyes are set on the future as we plan to outdo ourselves every year, proving that Pull-Tight has been a staple of this town for ages and will continue to dazzle audiences for decades to come.”

The theatre also set up a booth during both days of the festival. Visitors stopped to chat with volunteers about Pull-Tight, play games, and grab a candy cane or two.

Pull-Tight’s first participation in a downtown Franklin parade may date back to the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Members rode in a float and presented an original play highlighting local history, A Franklin Diary, by Jan Slusher. Cindy Davis Massey, who participated in this year’s Christmas Parade, can be seen below at the front of the float in 1976.

Events team

• Heather Bottoms
• Mark Buchanan
• Joey Echeverria
• Michael Hall
• John Fraser
• JT Landry
• Melanie McBurney
• Sarah Woodruff

Entertainers

• Eli Bell
• Ross Canales
• Sydney Hooper
• JT Landry
• Lauren McGill
• Leo Moucka
• Noah OSteen
• Marjorie Pess
• Meredith Seymour

Creative team

• Bre Hall, Coordinator
• Becky Leopard, Choreographer
• Dustin Greenleaf, Music Director

Booth volunteers

• Heather Bottoms
• Stephanie Dillard
• Joey Echeverria
• Richard and Joanne Eddinger
• Michael Hall
• Phillip Johnson
• Sarah Kieffner
• JT Landry
• Kyle Langford
• Melanie McBurney
• Cabot Pyle
• Sarah Woodruff
• Special shoutout to Johnny Peppers for his tent

Parade walkers

• Cindy and Tim Massey
• Hollie and Noah OSteen
• Sarah and Garrett Woodruff
• Extra shoutout to Vicky Stiles for the “Pull-Tight Players” Christmas sign
• Steve Mook for the platform