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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer 

MONTEVALLO – Students interested in the period of early American independence will have the opportunity to help bring history to life by taking part in an annual program at the American Village this upcoming summer.

Students, beginning at age 12 and through 17, are being actively encouraged to apply for a position on the American Village Junior Interpreter Program. If selected, the student will receive professional training and serve in an assistance role for the facility’s educational interpreters in the presentation of the 18th century’s customs, behaviors and technology.

The deadline to submit an application for the program is Wednesday, Jan. 31. From those applications, students will then enter into an audition process held in February before finally being selected as a participant in the program.

Junior Interpreters will also serve to teach and educate visitors on colonial games and participate in a number of historical vignettes and reenactments. They will also have the opportunity to witness behind-the-scenes action while assisting in back-stage areas during other events and performances.

“We are looking for students who are motivated, adaptable, mature and (who) also possess performance skills, along with an interest in American history,” read a release on social media that advertises the program.

The actual dates for involvement at American Village will be from May 28 to July 4, where the program concludes following American Village’s Independence Day events.

During that period, students will attend a training week that takes places from May 28-31. Following the training week, junior interpreters then attend American Village every Tuesday and Thursday until July 4. Attendance for the training week and the July 4 events are mandatory and minimal absences will be allowed on other days.

While there is no direct fee for involvement in the program, students will be required to purchase an accurate 18th century costume from American Village. All costumes are custom-made by the American Village costume shop, and fittings for costumes begin in March following the audition and selection process.

Applications are currently being accepted and interested students can apply now at Americanvillage.org/jr-interpreter-program.

For more details, individuals are encouraged to utilize that link, or to contact Rebecca Evans, co-director of the Junior Interpreter Program by phone at 205-665-3535 ext. 1048 or through email at revans@americanvillage.org.