Charlotte Mae Marie Dubois, aka Alicia Dawn Pickett, invites patrons to hop aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat by handing out coupons to passersby.Alicia Dawn Pickett’s job gives new meaning to the term “work clothes.”
Dressed in a Civil War era-style blue dress with a six-hoop skirt built in, she looks like an old-fashioned Southern belle – which is, in fact, where she directs downtown passersby, enticing them with a howdy-do and all the sweetness for which the South has become known.
Charlotte Mae Marie Dubois, as the Red Bank resident is known at work, invites patrons to hop aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat for a cruise down the Tennessee River on a hot summer or a cool fall day.
Pickett plays the part to perfection. She is a certified professional actress, as well as a certified massage therapist, and is earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University, with a major in theater and a minor in psychology. Her dream is to be a theater teacher.
“I like getting in-depth to understand the psychology of characters in plays,” said Pickett. “Who wouldn’t want a nice lady in a big blue dress welcoming them aboard with a ‘How has your day been? Where we headin’ off to today? We going on an adventure?'”
Though playing the character feeds into her passion and plan for life, her favorite part about this role is meeting people.
“I’d never think I’d meet an Australian or a Belgian, but I do here,” said Pickett.
For locals who have already taken the standard trip, Pickett recommends the fall foliage tours – and the burgers at the third-deck burger bar.
To learn more, visit Facebook and key in Chattanooga Riverboat or call the riverboat at 423-266-4488 for a reservation.
Email Katie Ward at kward@timesfreepress.com.