Local artist Ashley Dawn has made a name for herself around Atmore over the past few years. She can be found around town teaching Zumba classes, volunteering with different organizations and, recently, playing her music in venues like the Coffee House on Ridgeley Street. Now, Dawn is going to get to display her talents on a larger stage after being cast as a singer in the upcoming movie “Patsy,” a biopic about the life of country superstar Patsy Cline, scheduled to be filmed later this year.

Dawn said she got the call that she had made the cut after auditioning late last year in Mobile.

“There was an open audition call in December in Mobile,” Dawn said. “They went to modeling and talent agencies in Mobile, Atlanta, Nashville and all around and they needed 12 people and I was one of the 12 chosen as a featured singer.”

Dawn, who is originally from Utah and moved to Atmore after graduating from Pace High School in Florida, said she has a history in music, but has had little experience when it comes to acting.

“I was bailiff in a play in like sixth grade,” she joked. “But that is it.”

But Dawn, who is a member of the Nashville Song Writer’s Association, said she is not too worried about making the transition.

“All I know right now is that I’ll be singing Patsy Cline songs and could have a few lines,” she said. “But being a performer is kind of like acting. You have to have a stage presence and memorize thousands of songs. That’s why so many singers act. It’s just a natural transition.”

Right now, Dawn said she is not quite sure what the next move will be, but feels happy and blessed to have the opportunity.

“After I did the audition I honestly forgot all about it,” she said. “The producer was on my friends list and I just sent him a message saying

thanks for the chance and he responded and was like ‘you’re cast to be one of the featured singers.’ It was like I had just won the lottery.”
As the rest of the movie’s characters are cast, Dawn said she plans to enjoy the moment and looks forward to the new experience.

“I’m excited,” she said. “God has aligned my life in such a way that it’s like it is meant to be. You just have to be patient.”

So how will she prepare for what could be her big break?

“Well, it’s cool. I’ll just be singing in front of the mirror a lot,” she said.

A production start date has not yet been released.