University reflects on its collaboration with Dolly Parton, from world premiere of her original musical to the launch of Dolly U
For a university built in the heart of Music City, Dolly Parton’s passing lands close to home.
Belmont University is mourning the loss of the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who died Aug. 25. Over the past two years, Belmont had the rare privilege of knowing Parton not only as an icon to admire, but as a partner whose generosity and creativity created lasting opportunities for its students.
"Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that will shape lives for generations to come," said Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones. "Through her talent, generosity and unwavering belief in others, she inspired people around the world to dream bigger and live with joy. Dolly's partnership with Belmont is a gift to our university. We were honored to host the world premiere of her original musical at the Fisher Center and to witness the impact of the Dolly U program on our students. As we give thanks for her extraordinary life, we celebrate the light she brought and rejoice in the hope that sustained her, trusting that she now sees the fullness of that clear blue morning."
The Stage She Chose
It was on the stage of Belmont's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts that Parton announced in January 2025 that her life story would soon make its world premiere.
"Dolly: A True Original Musical," the bio-musical chronicling her life, would have its world premiere on that same stage before continuing its journey to New York City. Parton told the crowd that Nashville had been her musical home for decades and that Belmont's Fisher Center was the place she chose to introduce the musical to the world.
That summer, the promise materialized. The show opened July 18 and, after adding 16 performances to meet demand, closed Aug. 31 following a 49-show run that drew more than 77,900 attendees to Belmont's campus.
"For the Fisher Center to be home last summer to 49 preview performances of Dolly Parton’s musical was a tremendous honor, but watching this dazzling legend work behind-the-scenes with the cast, the musical team and our staff was the true gift," said Fisher Center Executive Director Chaz Corzine. "She was the same faithful, generous, kind, hard-working, funny, joyful human in person as the icon we all were blessed to witness for more than 50 years. The stage may be dimmer without her, but her example of how to live, lead and love will continue to shine bright."
Parton herself thanked Belmont directly when the run wrapped. "I am so thankful to President Greg Jones and all the Belmont faculty, staff and students who helped bring my story to life on the Fisher Center stage this summer," she said. "As we continue to workshop our musical for Broadway, I am excited to know that the Belmont University Dolly U partnership will continue, with students playing a part in the next step of our journey, just as they did for our Nashville premiere."
The run also became a homecoming for Belmont alumni.
Jeff Cox, a 1993 School of Music graduate and former adjunct professor, returned to campus as a bassist in the show's orchestra.
"Playing the world premiere of 'DOLLY: A True Original Musical' under Dolly Parton's leadership was a benchmark for me," Cox said. "Being back on my alma mater's campus to help shape a new work headed for Broadway felt full circle." He described the orchestra's first rehearsal with Parton listening as electric. "It felt like playing for the queen," he said.
Recent musical theatre graduate Peri Barnhill landed a spot in the cast after submitting an audition through TikTok as part of the global "Search for Dolly," calling the chance to originate an ensemble track in a world-premiere production "an honor and a privilege."
After the musical's sold-out Fisher Center run, President Jones presented Parton with a commemorative gift from Belmont: a ceramic bowl with a butterfly motif sculpted by Audry Deal-McEver. The piece served as a symbol of the University's gratitude for a partnership that had already given so much back to its students.
What Dolly U Gave Belmont Students
Announced alongside the musical, the Dolly U partnership between Parton, CTK Enterprises and Belmont gave students across disciplines the chance to learn directly from the professional team building her show, in costuming, sound design, music, company management and more.
Sarah D. Cates, vice president for imagination, strategic initiatives and partnerships, said one of Partons’ greatest gifts was always her ability to invite people into her story. “Whether through her music, her films or the books that arrive in countless mailboxes through Imagination Library, she has a remarkable way of making people feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves,” she said. “Our students experienced that firsthand when Dolly and her team welcomed them into the creative process of bringing ‘Dolly: A True Original Musical’ to life through the Dolly U program. We are forever grateful and deeply honored to have gotten to be a part of Dolly’s journey and look forward to honoring her impact and story for generations to come.”
Nine students were selected for the inaugural Dolly U Fellowship, working full time in production roles throughout the run. Their stories capture what the partnership meant in practice.
Musical theatre and music theory student Hudson Blake transcribed melodies Dolly sang into his phone, turning her voice memos into sheet music for the evolving score. Fashion design student Margo Dobbs went from unboxing supplies to sewing garments that ultimately appeared on the Fisher Center stage, even receiving creative freedom from Parton's longtime creative partner Steve Summers to alter a costume.
For audio engineering student Cece Twohey, working alongside sound designer Justin Ellington opened the door to a new career path in theatrical sound design. Musical theatre student Ellie Thompson managed company logistics ranging from payroll to the opening night party. Later, Thompson and her fellow Dolly U Fellows were invited onstage by Parton and President Jones to be recognized before a performance, an experience she described as one of the highlights of her Belmont career.
By spring 2026, Dolly U grew into a five-course, three-college initiative spanning entertainment marketing, brand partnerships and communications strategy, with student projects tied to the Broadway soundtrack, Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum and her forthcoming SongTeller Hotel.
Dolly U’s Wider Reach
The partnership’s influence also extended beyond the musical itself. Through Belmont's Department of Theatre & Dance Repertory Company, students wrote, scored, designed and performed an original touring production of "Billy the Kid Makes It Big," adapted from Parton's children's book. The production debuted in February 2026 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum alongside its Dolly Parton exhibition before touring elementary schools across the Nashville area.
Belmont's Musical Theatre program also brought Parton's music and storytelling to the stage with a production of "9 to 5: The Musical," giving students another opportunity to engage with her work through their own performances and designs.
A Partnership Belmont Will Carry Forward
Dolly Parton's ties to Nashville ran deep long before Dolly U existed, but the last two years gave Belmont a place in her story, too, with a musical that had its world premiere on campus, a program that bears her name and a generation of students who can say they learned from one of the world’s most recognizable artists and entrepreneurs.
And that work will continue. Dolly U's Fall 2026 offerings include courses in entertainment marketing and promotion, small business consulting, event sales and facilities management, as well as a course centered on Parton's SongTeller Hotel. The partnership she helped build will continue creating opportunities for Belmont students to study the creativity, entrepreneurship and generosity that defined her career.
As Belmont mourns Parton’s passing, the University carries that legacy forward, grateful for the partnership, the opportunities it created and the students whose lives and careers were changed by knowing and learning from Dolly.
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Explore Dolly's Impact on Belmont Students