For vocal ensemble member and cast understudy Katie Scarlett Swaney, the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration is a family affair. In a full-circle achievement, Swaney was cast in Yuletide after college following years of attending the production as a family tradition — started by her father, who worked on the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Development team. Swaney continues this family legacy by bringing joy and holiday spirit to the stage every year. Read on to hear more about why Yuletide is such a special tradition for her!
INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: What is your role in this year’s AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration and what path has led you to that role?
KATIE SWANEY: I’m in the vocal ensemble, and I also get to understudy a couple of our wonderful characters in more leading roles, which is super exciting for me.
What led me here is a really cool, full– circle moment. I grew up coming to Yuletide and watching the show every year, since my dad used to work at the ISO. Every year we would come watch, and I’d see hosts like Sandi Patty and see all of the beautiful gowns and hear the incredible songs and the spectacular orchestra.
For me, Yuletide was what made me want to perform. I went to Indiana University and after college, Yuletide’s vocal director Greg Sanders said, “Why don’t you come in and audition for Yuletide?” So I auditioned for the 2021 show. I’m really lucky and being on the stage is always a humbling experience. I’m just full of gratitude every year.
I also get to read How the Grinch Stole Christmas before each show in the lobby, and that’s one of my favorite things to do. I love getting to meet the audience before I see them from the stage and I can feel their energy and the excitement. Seeing the kids gets me excited for the show.
ISO: How does Yuletide capture the spirit of the holiday season, and how do you incorporate that energy into your performance?
KS: To me the holiday season has always been magical. Everything is brighter and ten times more fun and ten times more joyful. I think Yuletide does a really wonderful job of capturing that sense of joy and putting it on stage in such a tangible way. Whether it’s how great the orchestra sounds or how beautiful the dresses are or how the musical arrangements make you feel, it really captures the energy of the holiday season.
It also does a good job of getting down to the heart of the season and what’s important. By bringing family and friends together, it reminds us that even though it’s glitz and glamour and crazy energy, at the end of the day, the heart of the season is being with your loved ones and feeling that joy and warmth. That’s why every time I get to Indy for rehearsal, I’m like, “It’s truly holiday time.” I feel happier, more joyful, and warm and cozy.
ISO: What is your favorite part of the Yuletide rehearsal process?
KS: My favorite is the week that we actually get to practice on stage, because rehearsing and putting together a show like this is so fun. the magnitude of the show and seeing the little pieces come together is exciting. The week that we get to do sitzprobe with the orchestra and hear everything with them for the first time is when it starts making sense in the performers’ brains. It adds another layer to it of excitement and energy. We get out of the rehearsal room and I’m like, “Okay, this is real. It’s time.” The orchestra gives us lots of energy.
ISO: If you weren’t performing in your current role, what other Yuletide roles would you explore, whether behind the scenes or on stage?
KS: My true lifelong dream is to one day host Yuletide just because of the full– circle moment. That’s definitely a number one dream for me. I think it would be cool to also stage manage. I admire how they are able to call the show exactly the same every night, and make sure everybody’s safe and that everything is in the right place. That’s what really makes the magic happen. They’re on top of every detail.
ISO: What do you hope that audiences will take away from this year’s Yuletide?
KS: I hope that people take away how precious time with your loved ones is and how important and special those moments are. A lot of times we don’t get to be with our family and our friends until this season, and this is maybe the one time of year that we have the time, or that we make the time.
I also think of it being Sandi’s last time to host Yuletide. She’s such a wonderful performer, but she’s also such a gem of a human. To be around her in rehearsals is a special experience, and I’ve learned a lot from her. I mean this season can be really a stressful time of year with work, with family, with everything, and I just hope that people take away the joy of the season.
ISO: Describe Yuletide in three words.
KS: I would just say joyful holiday celebration because it truly is like a celebration.
It’s not just a show where you sit and watch, we want the audience to celebrate with us and be there with us with their energy and excitement.