As the pandemic swept across the country and theaters were forced to close their doors, many of us in the performing arts found ourselves out of work and unsure of what to do next. For me, that meant looking for new opportunities in unexpected places. That's how I ended up working as an elf at Dollywood, a popular theme park in Tennessee.
I was given the role of "Pip," an elf who worked in Santa's workshop helping children create their wish lists for Christmas. It was my job to engage with the children, ask them questions about what they wanted for Christmas, and help them create their lists.
As I settled into my new job, I quickly learned that being an elf is no easy task. It requires a lot of energy and enthusiasm, as well as a willingness to stay in character no matter what. I was constantly bombarded with questions from kids who wanted to know everything from “how Santa gets around the world in one night” to “aren’t you too tall to be an elf?” It was days full of improv, to keep up with their curiosity.
In addition to helping children with their wish lists, I also got to participate in reindeer games and other festive activities. It was a lot of fun to see the joy and excitement on the children's faces as they played and interacted with the other elves.
Of course, one of the highlights, was when I got to help kids spot their names on the nice list. Seeing the look of pure joy on a child's face when they realized they had made the cut was a rewarding experiences. It was a reminder that even in a year as difficult as this one, there is still magic to be found and moments of pure joy to be shared.
Overall, working as an Elf at Dollywood was an incredible experience. It was a challenging job, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring joy and magic to families during such a difficult time, and I am thankful for the skills I gained from the experience.
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