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Arrrrghhh, mateys! A Dallas pirate Santa gets his shot at treasure on new show

Karl Ward, one of Dallas' best-loved Santas, is going national.

The jolly retiree, now in his 22nd year as a professional Kris Kringle, is in the running for the title of America's Best Santa Claus.

He's one of 10 red-suited participants in truTV's kooky Christmas competition, Santas in the Barn, which premieres this week with episodes at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

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When producers conducted a national Santa search earlier this year, Ward stood out by giving the holiday hero a unique twist: He often works as a pirate Santa.

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"My catchphrase is 'Yo ho ho ho and a stockingful of rum,' " he says.

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The eight-episode series was filmed months ago to keep Mr. Claus' schedule clear for the busy season. Ward is the Santa at the Half Price Books Flagship store, 5803 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas.

"We have families come year after year just to see him at our Flagship store and they even bring their pets," says Sharon Anderson Wright, Half Price Books president and CEO. "My children were raised with him and I was his first elf. He has the heart and infectious personality you want in Santa Claus."

Ward talked last week about Santas in the Barn, which offers a $100,000 prize to the winner, who will be named in the Christmas Eve finale.

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How did you get involved in this crazy show?

I'd like to tell a story full of magic and sparkling Christmas spirit. But the very prosaic answer is that I responded to a casting notice from a casting agency. Santa gets a lot of work for one month every year. The other 11 months, I'm out hustling for entertainment jobs.

It's my understanding that they had hundreds and hundreds of applicants. So it's an honor to be one of the 10 Santa Clauses selected.

The cast of "Santas in the Barn"
The cast of "Santas in the Barn"(Jeremy Freeman / truTV)

How did you get into the Santa Claus business?

I worked for Half Price Books for 25 years. The last 18 were as the donations manager. Twenty-two years ago I was at a Fourth of July party with Sharon Anderson Wright, the CEO of Half Price Books, and I was telling her about my theater background and my training at the University of Texas.

I told her how I'm the greatest actor in the world, can play any role. She said, "What about Santa Claus? Would you play Santa Claus?" I said, "You find a suit and I'll do it." So it was almost like a lark.

But I put the suit on and, oh, my gosh, I really loved it. I took to it like a duck takes to water. And as the years went by, it became a calling.

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What was the inspiration for your pirate Santa persona?

That happened four or five years ago. I also perform as a pirate-type entertainer -- or a "privateer" -- at places like Scarborough Renaissance Festival. Eventually I merged the two characters, gave Santa a bit of a pirate hook, so to speak. But I'm still a traditional Santa when I'm at the bookstore.

There are crazy challenges in the show, from toy making to sled racing to chimney climbing. You seemed to be at a disadvantage in the more athletic challenges. What are your Santa strengths?

I have a lot of training in improvisation for the theater and street theater. That comes in handy when dealing with unpredictable children. I'm also a singer and sometimes I use my musical talents when I'm Santa-ing.

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But mostly I'm just fearless when I put the suit on. For example, I will pose for a picture with any animal. I've already been told by one friend that her daughter is bringing her pet snake in for a photo op. I said, "It's not venomous, is it? Then bring it on!" Because Santa's not afraid of anything.

What are your thoughts regarding Santa's beard? Does it have to be real?

I used to be a fake-beard Santa. Eventually I grew a nice big white one of my own. But you don't have to have a real beard to be Santa. We've got folks in the show who don't have beards, including two ladies who are competing as Santa. The key ingredient is Christmas spirit.

David Martindale is an Arlington freelance writer.

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Santas in the Barn

8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, truTV. 1 hr.