Arts

Helping the Warhawks find their bird call

Helping the Warhawks find their bird call

How the AUM’s musical ensemble is establishing itself on campus AUM Spirit Band performs at a home basketball game at the Athletics Complex in the spring of 2025.  (Photo courtesy of Chapel McCullough) When you think of college bands you usually think of marching bands playing at football games, but at Auburn University at Montgomery it’s a little bit different.AUM’s three musical ensembles, the Spirit Band, the AUM Chorus and AUMcappella are active and making music on campus whether you know it or not. The Spirit Band started in 2019 by now-retired fine arts professor Mark Benson and if you…
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AUM hosts ACTF conference for the American College Theater Festival

AUM hosts ACTF conference for the American College Theater Festival

design from sketchify on Canva. By Cameron Harris, Sofia Cerebuch and Anna Messick MONTGOMERY, Ala.— AUM hosted the annual ACTF Region four conference this year, a huge honor in the world of collegiate theater.  Neil David Seibel with Anna Messick at the ACTF at AUM. (photo courtesy of Sofia Cerebuch) “The American College Theater Festival is a national network of college theaters that basically, for this week, the region is getting together, and they are celebrating and looking at theater, celebrating theater from throughout our region, bringing in the best of the best,” said Neil David Seibel (ND), a professor…
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AUMs new art exhibit “We Are In This Together…The Legacy Continues” highlights the Quilts of Gee’s Bend

AUMs new art exhibit “We Are In This Together…The Legacy Continues” highlights the Quilts of Gee’s Bend

photo courtesy of Stacey Koenitz on pexels.com The quilt titled “A Day to Remember” is made by DeShaun Smith. (photo courtesy of Anna Messick) MONTGOMERY, Ala – Quilts created by Mary Ann Pettway and her grandson, DeShaun Smith, are on display at AUM’s Cason McDermott Art Gallery, showcasing the history and ongoing evolution of the Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. With the combined works of Pettway, manager of the Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective, and Smith, a recent graduate of AUM’s Visual Arts program, the “We Are In This Together…The Legacy Continues,” show highlights how the community’s quilting practice has developed across…
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AUM Theatre celebrates 50 years of dramatic excellence

AUM Theatre celebrates 50 years of dramatic excellence

Auburn University at Montgomery’s Theatre program celebrated its golden anniversary, marking five decades of contributing to the arts and campus life with a special 50th Anniversary Showcase of alumni, current students, faculty and supporters honoring a rich history of performances and artistic education. Grace Brennen and Atticus O'Banner performing a scene from "Lungs." (photos courtesy of Jordan White) “The showcase is a wonderful way to honor our alumni, students, faculty and staff; represent the shows we have produced; and highlight our collaborative achievements, both past and present,” said Val Winkelman, AUM Professor and director of the showcase. The showcase, which…
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Celebrating 50 years of performance and creativity: AUM’s Theatre 50th Anniversary Showcase photo gallery

Celebrating 50 years of performance and creativity: AUM’s Theatre 50th Anniversary Showcase photo gallery

AUM's Theatre is having a showcase for their 50th anniversary. The showcase contains 50 acts from students, faculty and alumni from the AUM Communication and Theatre Department. Anyone will be able to attend a showing on November 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. or November 15-16 at 2:00 p.m.
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Review: Theatre AUM’s The Birdz brilliantly connects ancient story to modern-day problems

Review: Theatre AUM’s The Birdz brilliantly connects ancient story to modern-day problems

Sophomore Theatre student, Atticus O’Banner performs as human-turned-bird Epops (Photo courtesy of Jordan White). Adaptation combines relatable humor, music with commentary on political corruption, social restrictions, gender norms and economic struggles An AUM Theatre professor’s new adaptation of Aristophanes's comedy “The Birds”, named “The Birdz”, treated audiences with more than just a retelling of a 2,400-year-old Greek comedy. They experienced a heartfelt, funny and sharp commentary on today’s world in two weeks worth of performances that wrapped up Oct. 12. “The Birdz” tells the story of two disappointed humans who flee society in search of a better world. On their…
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Blood at the Root Photo Gallery

Blood at the Root Photo Gallery

Theatre AUM production of Blood at the Root by Dominique Morisseau opens April 3 in Taylor Center Theatre. The prices of tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and free for AUM students, faculty, staff, and military (Photos courtesy of Jordan White).
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Gripping AUM Theatre tale ‘Blood at the Root’ opens April 3

Gripping AUM Theatre tale ‘Blood at the Root’ opens April 3

A powerful, student-directed play shines light on social injustice By: Trace Espinosa AUM Audio · Blood at the Root Promo with Theatre student actor Michael Pritchard and theatre student director Tiara Staples MONTGOMERY, Ala. – March 26, 2025 – Auburn University at Montgomery is set to grab attention this spring with Blood at the Root, an AUM Theatre production that runs April 3–5 and April 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m. at the Taylor Centre Theatre. Written in 2016 by Dominique Morisseau, the story dives into issues of deep-rooted racism, prejudice and social injustice through the…
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Review: AUM theater students bring unique performance to life in ART IRL

Review: AUM theater students bring unique performance to life in ART IRL

By: Christa Burns, Junior staff writer Auburn University at Montgomery Theater students performed an original production, ART IRL (In real life), this past weekend. The performance consisted of pieces from various songs, plays, and movies the student performers chose, compiled into one show.  The production featured many art forms, such as dance, poetry, song and monologue. The show's highlight was a selection from the play Blood at the Root, written by Dominique  Morisseau and performed by Michael James Pritchard and Tiara Staples. According to Concord Theatricals, Blood at the Root is a "striking new ensemble drama based on the 'Jena Six,' six Black students who…
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Honors for AUM Theatre: RED and Buddies shine with awards and nominations at Kennedy Center Festival

Honors for AUM Theatre: RED and Buddies shine with awards and nominations at Kennedy Center Festival

AUM Theatre is garnering major recognition for their last two stage plays “Buddies” & “RED;” the two directors, Michael Krek ("RED") and Neil David Seibel ("Buddies") were recently given awards for Meritorious Achievement for Excellence in Direction by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In the fall of 2024, the production "Red" celebrated several outstanding achievements. Ada Withers received awards for both Allied Crafts in Scenic Art and Scenic Design, while Sarah Paterson was recognized for Costume Design. Aaron Rudnick took home the award for Lighting Design, and Tiara Staples earned accolades for Sound Design. Dusti RW Levy was…
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AUM Theatre Represents Excellence at the Kennedy Center American College Festival

AUM Theatre Represents Excellence at the Kennedy Center American College Festival

Michael Prichard, Tiara Staples, Chason Marvin and Tara Little celebrate their honors at the 2024 Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Albany Georgia. (Photo courtesy of Theatre AUM) By: Kniya Potts Four talented AUM theatere students and theatere professor Neil David Seibel recently attended the Kennedy Center American College Festival in Albany, with Georgia taking home top regional honors. Students Tiara Staples, Chason Marvin, and Tara Little had all received awards while attending.  “The Region 4 Festival was a great opportunity for our nominees from AUM,” said Neil David Siebel. “It’s always eye-opening for our students from…
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AUM Theatre prepares rising artists for the professional world

AUM Theatre prepares rising artists for the professional world

AUM theatre students are shown showcasing their talents during the “New Millennium Showcase” production. (Photo Courtesy of Frank C. Williams) By: Kniya Potts Theatre AUM aims to cultivate a competent, engaged array of rising student artists by presenting a variety of classical and modern engaging shows and the “New Millennium Showcase” proved to be just that. Next up for AUM Theatre is the play Buddies by Ben Abbott and directed by theatre professor Neil David Seibel.  Auditions for “Buddies” by Ben Abbott were held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in the Taylor Center Theatre where a prepared monologue…
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Theatre AUM’s “New Millennium” a student showstopper

Theatre AUM’s “New Millennium” a student showstopper

By: Kniya Potts AUM Audio · Theatre AUM “New Millennium” a must-see student showstopper MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Theatre AUM’s first spring production “New Millennium” was a success in January showcasing modern-day mini skits performed by student actors.  With a variety of scenes, songs and monologues, it is evident that these students worked hard on their craft. Students were part of the directing staff, as well as design and technical components. Theatre assistant professor and director of the production Michael Krek was pleased with the variety of student’s creations. Krek said, "We try to make it as student centric as possible, in…
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Red Bike Promo

Red Bike Promo

By: Mason Lawrence The Auburn University of Montgomery Theatre Department is getting ready to put ontheir first show of the semester. October 5th is opening night for Red Bike by Caridad Svich.Val Winkleman is directing the show and has directed many plays put on in the AUM theatre.Last year she directed The Revolutionists and has overseen wardrobe, stage design and everyother facet of theatre for many other AUM productions . Red Bike is a story about growing upin a small town and finding what your place in the world is. Figuring out whether to leave thetown or stay there like…
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Theatre AUM student earns Irene Ryan Award

Theatre AUM student earns Irene Ryan Award

BY: Isadora Nicolai AUM student gets first place in the Irene Ryan Award and is nominated to compete for the Kennedy Center National College Theater Festival. It is time to celebrate Auburn University at Montgomery’s Theatre Department. For the first time in history, an AUM theatre student was awarded first place in the Kennedy Center Regional College Festival. Theater major Yahzane Palmer was awarded the Irene Ryan Award on Feb. 6, taking first place in the South Region Competition for the festival. The festival happened virtually due to health safety measures. There were around 2,000 students competing for the acting…
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Graphic Design Show

Graphic Design Show

BY: Alecia Hicks AUM is hosting a graphic design art show from October 27 through November 5, 2021. The show allows graphic design students the opportunity to showcase their art. It also allows them to enter their art for a chance to receive discounted submissions for Addy Awards. The graphic art will include single pieces, illustration, packaging and advertising. Online art will also be featured, such as websites, app prototypes and videos.  The submissions will be displayed at the Cason McDermott Art Gallery, which was formerly known as Goodwyn Gallery. The name was changed on February 9, 2021, in honor of…
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Theatre AUM presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Theatre AUM presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

BY: Savanna Pruitt Theatre AUM’s production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Val Winkelman, opens April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Attendance is free for all community members.  Theatre AUM’s members have been hard at work preparing for the performance and modifying it to meet COVID-19 safety protocols. Each performance of this show will take place outdoors at The Grove on AUM’s campus. Masks are required, and social distancing will be observed.  For more information and showtimes, go to Theatre AUM’s Facebook page.  Contact: Savanna Pruittspruitt3@aum.edu
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Theatre AUM and COVID 19

Theatre AUM and COVID 19

BY: Jayla Brown AUM’s campus looks completely different for everyone this semester. There has been a lot of change, which means a lot of adjusting to our “new normal”. This week I had the opportunity to catch up with Professor Neil Seibel about the changes happening in the theatre department.  When asked about adjusting to COVID-19 guidelines here at AUM, Seibel said, “We are adjusting. Theatre and the arts have always been about adapting to the circumstances, so in an odd way our students were rather uniquely prepared to handle the shift to hybrid experience.”  Many classes, activities, and club…
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