Colt Chambers, 17, brings a new energy to planned theatre events in both Cedartown and Rockmart.

He will co-direct “The Little Shop of Horrors” at the Cedartown Auditorium October 13-14 and direct “A Country Christmas Carol” December 13-15 at the Rockmart Theatre.

“Colt is bringing a new focus to the theatre,” said Leigh Hulsey, Rockmart Civic Arts Commission. “I know he will be an asset in promoting local arts.”

Chambers, son of Doug and Donna Chambers, Fish Creek Community, is a native of Calhoun. He later moved to Nashville before returning to Polk County.

At a young age, he became interested in theatre and became a professional singer.

As a singer, he has won several national awards, which includes the 2011 North American Country Music Association International Rising Star Entertainer of the Year.

This competition brought entries from all the states and four foreign countries.

He also won the Georgia Country and Gospel Music Association vocalist and entertainer of the year in 2010 and vocalist of the year in 2011. This year, he was honored with the new country award of excellence at the CMS Music Festival in Nashville.

In the future, it will be presented as the Colt Chambers Award of Excellence.

Colt is planning his debut country album, which hopefully will be completed after January 1, 2013. He is working with Grammy award winning producer Kent Wells.

At age 10, he was cast in a television commercial for Skippy Peanut Butter. He heard an international modeling and talent agency were giving auditions at Floyd College and was one of 15 selected from 500 participants.

The commercial was filmed at the college.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I had the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles, California to perform before a talent agent. At the time, I was not interested in on screen film. I wanted to do live theater.”

His first lead role was the musical “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with the Calhoun Little Theatre. He also had the lead in “The Music Man”, “Once Upon a Mattress” and others.

In eighth grade, he was asked to direct a school musical. Since that time, he has been more interested in directing than being on stage.

During his freshman year, he was accepted into the Nashville School of Arts. He majored in musical theater and vocal expression.

“I do enjoy performing but believe my career choice will be directing,” he said.

Colt said he is excited about his new duties as a director. “In Rockmart, I volunteered and was approved to give my assistance and support. Now we are ready to get to work.”

He hopes to start a theatre company with several shows a year in Rockmart.

Chambers said his secret of getting so much accomplished requires energy and organizational skills. He has everything scheduled and works hard.

A senior, he will soon graduate from high school and plans to attend college. He has considered Belmont University in Nashville, Boston University, and Julliard in New York.