2015 RHS graduate Bales a rising star in Shoals theatre scene

For as long as he can remember, Dylan Bales has loved to perform.

During his four years at Russellville High School, the 2015 RHS graduate participated in show choir each year and he was part of several theater productions his senior year.

In fact, his performing history began before he could even speak, as Bales’ first role came when he was only four months old, when he was Baby Jesus in a production at his church.

“I knew at an early age I loved performing,” Bales said. “I played Buffalo Bill in a second grade production. As soon as I could, I got into 5th grade chorus under Emily Honey.

“I’ve always remembered performing. It’s something that comes naturally for me,” he added.

When the curtain opens this month on the Shoals Community Theatre’s production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Bales won’t be on stage. He’s directing the production that runs July 18-21 in Florence.

Bales previously directed a play at Cypress Moon Studios and a one act production while a student at the University of North Alabama. But Wonka marks his debut directing a musical. 

He’s still performing on stage in other productions, but directing is something Bales wants to explore further.

“The thing about directing that I like is when I would go see shows, I’d think how I might do a scene a certain way, or what if they had tried it another way?,” Bales said. “It’s so cool to be able to put my ideas into action on stage for other people.

“You can’t change what’s written in the script, but certain stage directions, sets, costumes and how lines are said is left up to the director. Going into a show I like to read the script and not watch too many other productions of the show. I read the script and visualize what I believe might work,” he added.

That’s exactly what Bales did with the Gingerbread Players’ presentation of Willy Wonka, the Musical. The show follows an eccentric candy manufacturer who stages a contest where he hides golden tickets in five of his candy bars. Those who find the golden tickets receive a tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of the candy it produces.

While four of the children turn out to be entitled hellions, Wonka bonds with one winner, a young man named Charley Bucket, who takes the tour with his grandfather.

Tickets for Wonka are available by calling 256-764-1700 or by visiting www.theshoalstheatre.org  or the Shoals Community Theatre’s Facebook page.

Bales describes his directing style, at least so far, as ‘chill,’ but that could change as opening night draws closer.

“I’m friends with most of the cast, but as we get close to the show, you have to take that friend cap off and put your director hat on,” Bales said. “Anything I might get fired up about (as director) will not be personal and the cast knows that. We’ll say what we say and do what we do to make this show as good as possible.”

While Bales will soon make his directorial debut, he hasn’t quit his day job just yet. He’s office manager at Economy Carpets in Muscle Shoals. 

Bales earned his Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in music from Northwest-Shoals Community College and earned a Sociology degree from UNA, so he’s not afraid of hard work with a busy schedule.

“My mom (Candi Bales) laughs at me sometimes when I complain about being tired all the time,” Bales said. “She says I do it to myself. But it’s a theater bug. Once you catch it, you can’t stop. It might burn out one day, but not anytime soon.”

Bales’ pathway to his directorial debut began when he worked with other directors of Shoals Theatre productions. He’s worked in backstage roles, served as assistant director and climbed his way up to directing his first show at Cypress.

“I tried to get as much experience as I could to allow me to step into a director’s role one day,” Bales said. 

Bales' evolution into Shoals theatre has not gone unnoticed by Honey, now a teacher at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Al. Honey remembers having Bales in her class and saw his passion for the stage even at a young age.

“Dylan was such a joy to teach and watch on the stage. He would just light up,” Honey said. “You could see just how much he loved being up there.

“I have been following him and his performances via Facebook and I am so proud of his involvement in the community theatre scene in the Shoals. His many nominations for the Stanleys (annual theater awards) make my heart so happy. I'm so glad he's being recognized for his talent and hard work,” she added.

Bales plans to continue to perform and direct and the growing Shoals theater scene should provide him ample opportunity to do both. 

Bales went through an interview process after applying with the Gingerbread Board to direct Wonka. He met with board members, pitched some ideas he had and waited to hear back.

He received notification in early March he was selected to direct the cast of approximately 50. And he’s already been named director of a January 2025 production of Steel Magnolias at the Shoals Theatre. It’s a show he’s pitched for three years to the board and his persistence finally paid off.

As for Wonka,  Bales will pay due respect to the show’s script, but he’s throwing in a few Easter eggs from the Wonka movie.

In theater, Easter eggs are hidden references from a movie version of a production that will likely be detected only by the most observant of patrons.

“They’re so tiny, people might not see them. But I put them into the show for fans of the movie to enjoy,” Bales said.