How a Belmont Musical Theatre Major Found Himself Working with Dolly Parton

Isaac Bouldin shares his journey from student to professional working on Dolly Parton's new Broadway-bound musical 

As Belmont prepares to host the world premiere of "DOLLY: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL" this summer, some students have already been deeply involved in bringing this groundbreaking production to life. 

When Isaac Bouldin, a musical theatre major from Roanoke, Virginia, chose Belmont, he was drawn to Nashville's vibrant music scene and the University's strong reputation for performing arts. What he couldn't have anticipated was that his Belmont education would lead to an opportunity most professionals only dream about: working directly with country music icon Dolly Parton on her upcoming autobiographical musical. 

"This is something I never would have expected in undergrad," Bouldin remarked. "Better than I could have imagined." 

A Surprise Opportunity 

The opportunity came while Bouldin was working as a summer RA at Belmont and helping with music direction for local productions at the Street Theatre Company. Nancy Allen, coordinator of the musical theatre program, reached out about a potential job with Parton's team. 

"I got an email asking if I knew how to use a certain notation software," Bouldin explained. "They needed someone who could edit scores in real time during workshop development." 

Thanks to his experiences at Belmont and in Nashville's theatre community, Bouldin had the exact skills needed. He accepted the position, though at first, he could hardly believe it was real. 

"I had no idea how involved I was going to be," he recalled. "I could not have predicted how amazing this experience would become."

In the Room Where It Happens 

Bouldin soon found himself working alongside Broadway professionals, Tony nominees and Dolly Parton herself. "It would have been amazing just to be in the same room as these people who have been working on Broadway for years — just that alone would have been incredible," he said. "But to be considered a colleague among them was better than I could have imagined." 

His role was crucial: editing the musical's score in real time as changes were made during rehearsals. 

"Whenever the music wasn't quite noted the way we wanted, that's where I would come in," Bouldin explained. "Whether cutting measures, adding sections or finding places for harmonies, I would edit the score immediately." 

This meant capturing impromptu moments of creative brilliance. "Working with Dolly and her team involved recording harmonies live, then copying them into the score, or adding a new ending that they had just improvised on the spot."

Belmont's Distinctive Edge 

For Bouldin, this experience highlights what makes Belmont stand out. The University's Nashville location, strong industry connections and dedicated faculty all combined to create this life-changing opportunity. 

"Nashville's got a whole lot more going for it than just Belmont," he noted. "It feels nice to be in a place where music is so relevant and where the area is so alive, not just as a school but as a steppingstone to help me grow. A place where I can start doing professional work and getting paid while I’m still in school. It's been an incredible training ground to work with A-list talent before I've even graduated." 

He particularly credits Belmont's faculty for connecting students with real-world opportunities. "It's a testament to how great the Belmont professors are — that they're doing the work to plug us into these incredible opportunities. They see where industry needs are and foster students who can fill those needs right away." 

A Community Like No Other 

Beyond specific opportunities like this, Bouldin emphasized that Belmont's supportive community has been crucial to his growth. 

"The theatre community was a huge part of what made me want to come here and what’s made me want to stay," he said. "I was instantly surrounded by a family of people who care about each other, not just our shared love for the art. There's an attitude of wanting to see the best in each other and helping everyone grow." 

"Plus, the fact that the school has such an environment of musicianship, even among our musical theatre program, really helped me not lose that part of myself that I curated growing up," he added. 

This sense of belonging has been fundamental to his education. "It’s something that feels unrivaled by anywhere else I've been." 

Finding New Pathways 

Perhaps most significantly, this experience has opened Bouldin 's eyes to new career possibilities within musical theatre. 

"I pursued this training because I wanted to tell stories with music," he explained. "This project opened a whole new avenue for that. Taking Dolly Parton's personal story and helping bring it to life has been incredibly fulfilling." 

The confidence gained from this professional experience has been transformative. "Working in this setting and seeing that I'm prepared to hold my own has helped me reimagine my future." 

Looking Forward: DOLLY U

Bouldin 's experience was just the beginning of an extraordinary partnership between Belmont, CTK Enterprises and Dolly Parton. With the upcoming world premiere of "DOLLY: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL" at Belmont's Fisher Center and the launch of DOLLY U — a first-of-its-kind educational initiative — more students have access to similar opportunities. 

"I'm grateful this will be available to more students like me," Bouldin said. "The chance to begin professional work within the safety net of academia is invaluable. I treasure everything I've gained through this partnership and can't wait to see what it does for my fellow students." 

"DOLLY: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL" will begin previews at Belmont's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in July, with an official premiere Aug. 8. Tickets are available now at www.dollymusical.com.