At Montevallo, we provide first-rate theatre training within the context of a well-rounded liberal arts education. If you study theatre here, you will be part of a highly personal department of over 90 majors. You will get to know your teachers well and work closely with them both in and out of the classroom. While we are active in professional organizations within our respective fields, teaching is our first priority.
We also encourage students to seek professional work in the summer, and assist them with portfolio and audition preparation on an ongoing basis.
- Recently, students have worked professionally over the summer at theatres around the country including The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Shenandoah Music Theatre in Virginia, Unto These Hills in North Carolina, Discoveryland in Oklahoma, Papermill Theatre in New Hampshire, Big Fork in Montana, Blue Jacket in Ohio, The Barn Theatre in Michigan, Theatre West Virginia, Weathervane Playhouse in New Hampshire and The Lost Colony in Virginia. Other students spend their time exploring cities such as Boston, NYC, Los Angeles and Chicago during spring and summer breaks in anticipation of their future careers.
- Many students are also active as performers and backstage in the Birmingham area. UM students have performed roles at most area companies and even directed at theatres including Red Mountain Theatre Company, Muse of Fire at Sloss Furnace, Magic City Actors Theatre, South City Theatre, Park Players, Birmingham Festival Theatre, Terrific New Theatre and Birmingham Children’s Theatre.
In fall 2009, UM Theatre presented the musical PARADE in Birmingham for a two weekend run at the Virginia Samford Theatre. The production was cast with a mix of UM students, adult professional actors in Birmingham and alumni including a a guest artist from Los Angeles, Chris Sams, in the role of Leo Frank.
- UM students are also active in independent film projects based in Alabama and pursue opportunities in local commercials and industrials. Students and alumni in our program have won awards in the Birmingham Sidewalk Film Festival¹s “Sidewalk Scramble” competition and Alabama short film/director category.
- The UM theatre faculty encourages students to pursue independent performance projects, which can also be linked to independent study credit. Projects have included original dance/theatre/multi-media pieces; musical cabarets; and plays such as Ionesco’s THE LESSON which will be directed by a UM Theatre major in fall 2010 in Reynolds Theatre.
Theatre major EJ Wilson wins USITT Stage Management Award in National Competition
E J Wilson, senior BFA candidate in the Division of Theatre, was recently awarded the Stage Management Award sponsored by Clear-Com Communication Systems by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. This award, adjudicated by leaders in professional and academic theatre Stage Management, honors current Theatre students who have “demonstrated excellence or outstanding potential in the area of stage management in the performing arts while pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.” EJ will receive a cash award plus free registration to the national USITT conference in Cincinnati in March where he will accept his award. He was nominated by faculty USITT members Emily Gill and Kel Laeger as well as chair Dr. David Callaghan.
