It’s incredible getting to work at DeSoto Caverns and prepare for an event that has received national attention! We thought we’d share with you a few of the stages we go through in the process of pulling together an event here. The team is very close and the department directors often work 15 hour days to create an event that our guests will remember! It takes a lot of heart and time, but we love being a part of something that creates special memories for our guests! Right now is a crazy time of year, but here’s a look into the planning of this incredible event!
Nearly one month prior to the event finishing the lighting on one of our show tents!
Our CVO and Event Director Jared working from 7am until past midnight one night creating over 1,000 light cues for our light show!
Stories and Scripts : We begin organizing our event with our CVO, Jared Sorensen, spending time “dreaming of what our guests want that they have never seen.” Months are spent hypothesizing on how to create a guest experience that stands out. Our goals are always focused on individual experiences, meaning that when you come to the park, what you experience is unlike what another guest minutes later will experience. We want you to know that your choices affect your experience and that within our park, you are not just another number, but an individual with power and choices.
Entertainment Organization : Months before the event takes place, our Event Director books our entertainment and shares with them the theming, style and beats that will make their partnership with this amazing event blend seamlessly! Over the years of TORD and Christmas at the Cave, we have brought in talent from all over the country to wow our guests.
Casting : When it comes to casting, we have so much fun both looking into new talent and seeing old faithful faces! We have cast members who have been coming for five years!
Lighting : It takes seven days and a team of four people to prepare and light the park for Tomb of the Risen Dead.
Operations Preparations : These details begin in the months prior to the event! Starting with general information about the event but condensing down to the smallest details, such as line placement, scripts, costuming, special offers and more!
Script Run-throughs : This is when the rubber meets the road! Our cast receives their script and we go through the event theme and story relationships inside DeSoto Caverns! We have character development workshops with our award winning producer and professional director including a portfolio of productions in LA and NYC featuring off-broadway experience. This workshop includes, table reads, character development, blocking, show-run throughs and then…
Dress Rehearsal : This is the BIG moment! This is when we do make up, hair, photo-shoots by our President who has a photography background, and run through the shows in their locations! We work on the last touches for the production and ensure that all is prepared for our guests!
