LU Theatre alumnus takes on Goliath challenge in Sight & Sound’s ‘David’

From the stage of Liberty University’s Tower Theater to facing a towering giant in Sight & Sound Theatre’s “David” in Branson, Mo., Aaron Hall (’23) is using his gifts in musical theatre to glorify God in front of large audiences.

Sight & Sound has made a brand out of portraying Scripture on a grand scale, using live animals, elaborate sets, stirring musical numbers, and large casts to bring the stories of heroes like Noah, Moses, Esther, and more to life for hundreds of people every day. For his role as David, Hall said he had to learn to play the harp live along with extensive fight choreography, dancing, and songs. When it comes time for the young shepherd to go into battle onstage, David faces an innovative, 800-pound animatronic Goliath engineered and built in-house by Sight & Sound.

“It’s been a huge challenge, but now sharing it with audiences has been really inspiring,” he said. “It’s one of the largest roles I’ve ever done, and doing it on this scale is pretty unique. I felt a lot of pressure at the beginning, but then getting into the process and meeting with our director and producer, seeing their heart behind the show and their passion for the message reminded me that it’s not about what I can bring but about what the Lord can do when we offer our gifts back to Him.”

“David” marks the third production Hall has performed in since joining the company in 2023. He is one of four performers who share the role of David during the show’s long, stamina-heavy run, with over 400 shows from March 8, 2025, to Jan. 3, 2026. Hall has also performed in “Queen Esther” and “Miracle of Christmas.”

Hall’s transition from college to professional work happened rapidly. His wife, Kelsey (Dial) Hall (’22), a fellow Liberty theatre alum, was already in Branson as one of the Esthers in “Queen Esther” when he heard about an opportunity to join the show.

“I was in my finals week right before I graduated, and I got a text from a friend saying they needed a midseason cast addition for a swing (performer who steps in to play multiple ensemble roles in a show),” Hall recalled. He submitted a clip, and in a matter of days was interviewed and received a contract. “I moved out (to Branson) later that week. I joined the show about two weeks after that, and I’ve been here ever since. It was a whirlwind.”

Sight & Sound makes a point to put Christ and the message of their shows at the forefront, not the actors, and Hall said he cherishes the opportunities to engage with the audience and hear how God has stirred them through the biblical stories told on stage.

“I love the way that Sight & Sound is crafted, where we don’t have programs, we don’t feature the actors that you’re seeing on stage or the crew members, because it’s not about us. It truly is about the Lord,” he said. “It is a ministry, and we get to share these powerful messages through live theater. We also do something called after-show ministry, or ASM, where we invite people up to the front of the theater following the show if they would like prayer. It’s one of my favorite parts of the job just getting to see people face to face and to hear about how the story impacted them, what brought them to the theater, or what the Lord is doing in their lives.”

After being in multiple shows during his time at Liberty (including lead roles in “Crazy for You,” “Curtains,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone”), Hall said he “could not have been more prepared” as he entered his professional acting career. He said Liberty’s spiritual life emphasis and ministry focus prepared him too.

“I felt so well prepared and equipped by the professors, the many messages we heard at Campus Community, and the environment that Liberty had,” he said. “When I got to Sight & Sound, I felt incredibly equipped in the training Liberty provided. In dancing, singing, acting, stage combat, and even in ministry work. It was encouraging to see how seamlessly my college training translated to the professional world. Even in my spiritual walk, I left Liberty feeling so strengthened. It was all a huge catapult into what I’m doing now.”

Amid the monumental size of the productions at Sight & Sound, Hall said God’s Word is always at the core, and he is humbled to be a part of it.

“Kelsey and I talk about it all the time, and we agree that it’s kind of crazy that this is our job,” he said. “The scale of Sight & Sound is obviously like no other theater experience in the country, but it’s not just the production value; it’s also the message and the importance of what we get to share with audiences. It’s truly one of a kind and I’m so thankful to be a part of it.”