A Note from the Director
First and foremost, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to be here in support of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Theatre.
Like so many others affected during this pandemic, we were limited with what we could do when it came to live events and gatherings. The Spotlight Projects were initiated after we realized we wouldn’t be able to gather and perform in front of a live audience for a while. Even though our students were patient through it all, we knew deep in our hearts that they missed performing live “in a theater," and so our journey began.
I asked the students to submit pieces they would not normally get to sing, such as gender-bender songs or those from shows they might not be considered for. What came in were fun, inspiring, diverse songs. As we worked together, we saw there was a running theme throughout: the past, present, and future.
I must also say that none of this could have been done without the exceptionally hard work of David Page, Amanda Waller, Diego M. Villanueva, and Bailey Dumlao. They spent countless hours creating, recording, editing, designing, organizing, communicating, and keeping everyone on track. They were invaluable in making this endeavor a reality, and I am so very grateful.
If you don’t already know this, our theatre students are total rock stars and can do it all. Actors can edit film, choreographers can tweak the Playbill, and a lighting designer can tap dance in sneakers (no really, see the Playbill video page). It warmed my heart to see students enter the stage after a long hiatus and realize they were going to perform again. Some eyes were a bit teary, mine included.
And so I hope you watch each and every one of our wonderful performers and take joy in knowing that we will see you all at the end of the tunnel.
They did "Kill The Lights" of Broadway last March but we made sure to "Breathe" and do what was needed so that we could see "Happy Days" ahead with hugs for everyone as we turn into "The Life Of The Party"!
I can’t wait to welcome you back in to our magical world of theatre!
~~Carolyn Violi~~
