Theatre AUM

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 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 honored…
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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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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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The Seagull

The Seagull

BY: Kaleria Jackson There is no stopping Theatre AUM. After the World Tour: Acting Showcase performance earlier this semester, the department quickly started preparing for their next production. For this next production, Theatre AUM will present their production of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov translated by Christopher Hampton on November 7.  I visited the set, and it looks fantastic. Sources say that the costumes are elaborate for such a period piece. The students who are participating in the production have been working hard to bring this show to life for AUM and the community. Student and actor Tony George says he…
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Theatre Showcase

Theatre Showcase

BY: Kaleria Jackson Theatre AUM is starting the year off by presenting the many talents of multiple students in the annual Showcase. The Showcase will be a compilation of scenes, monologues, and songs that revolve around a theme— this year’s theme is entitled, "World Tour: Acting Showcase," and it will focus on the works of international playwrights from around the globe. The Theatre Department is hosting the Showcase because it is a perfect way to get many students who are wishing to participate the chance to be involved. The Showcase also prepares students for professional auditions that occur throughout the academic…
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Student Spotlight: Theatre AUM with Kate Saylor & Tony George

Student Spotlight: Theatre AUM with Kate Saylor & Tony George

BY: Allison Stewart As seniors in the AUM Theatre Department, Kate Saylor and Tony George know what it takes to succeed in college. They made it through the nerves of freshman year, the stress of sophomore year (or should I say continuous stress) and the excitement of junior year. Now, they are beginning the last chapter of their Warhawk story.  The fun thing about Kate and Tony is their friendship. They both graduated from Wetumpka High School in 2016 and have been friends for over a decade. Being able to go to college together has made a positive impact on…
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Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s Last Spring Production: As You Like it

Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s Last Spring Production: As You Like it

BY: Brittany Vallely The Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) has been producing one show after another this season and next on the schedule is As You Like It, one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. This show is extra important because it is the last show in their spring season-- another show will not open until after summer is over. This show also does not run as long as others, so it is important to get your tickets now. According to the ASF website, As You Like It is a beguiling game of love, desire, and mistaken identity that revels in the…
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AUM Professor Directs ASF’s Winnie the Pooh

AUM Professor Directs ASF’s Winnie the Pooh

BY: Brittany Vallely The famous Winnie the Pooh characters are being brought to life at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) in Montgomery, and one of AUM ‘s very own professors put it together. Neil David Seibel, AUM's performance professor, has had connections with faculty at ASF for quite some time. After having a discussion about the direction of ASF with the artistic director, Seibel was presented with the opportunity to direct one of the children's shows. “We just had a great conversation about theatre, what we want to do with it, how we see ourselves in it, how we see…
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Theatre AUM Guild Fundraiser Event: Open Mic Night

Theatre AUM Guild Fundraiser Event: Open Mic Night

BY: Brittany Vallely Theatre AUM Guild’s (TAG) Open Mic Night is the chance to show off your skills or support your local artists! This is a public event where people are invited to showcase any kind of talent- dancers, singers, poets, comedians, and actors are all welcome to show what they've got. TAG will be bringing their own speakers and microphones in order for you to have all the sound equipment you need. Tony George, TAG president, explained that all funds will be going towards TAG to promote theatre and theatre events at AUM. “The event helps with expenses such…
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Theatre AUM Presents: Arcadia

Theatre AUM Presents: Arcadia

BY: Brittany Vallely The awarding winning play Arcadia can now be seen at Auburn University at Montgomery. This show is filled with mathematics, literature, romance, and time travel. The play was written by Tom Stoppered, who is also known for writing the screenplay Shakespeare in Love. The play takes place at a country estate in England called Sidley Park. The time frame goes back and forth from the 1880s and the early 90s. The audience will soon see the relationships between each era and the order and disorders of each situation. Even though time goes on, history has a way…
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Matt & Ben Press Release – Theatre AUM

Matt & Ben Press Release – Theatre AUM

BY: Marcus Godbee Theatre’s AUM’s “Matt & Ben,”by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers, opens Thursday, Feb 14 at 7:30p.m. “Matt & Ben” depicts Matt Damon and Ben Affleck before they were skyrocketed into superstardom. The story explores themes of friendship, betrayal and loyalty while the two caricatures broadcast to the audience a fictionalized telling of how “Good Will Hunting” was written. Despite the play being a story about two men, the roles are traditionally played by women. Kate Saylor, who plays the role of Matt, is taking on the biggest role of her career with this production. “I’ve learned about…
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Actor Spotlight: Brittany Vallely

Actor Spotlight: Brittany Vallely

BY: Olivia Crutchfield Theatre AUM may not get a lot of praise on campus from students or faculty that are not active in the department, but Theatre AUM in the last year has been showing out, and it deserves to get some notoriety. The students that make up Theatre AUM are a huge part of the successes that are raining on the department; they deserve their time in the spotlight. Brittany Vallely is a veteran to the stage and is no stranger to performing for hundreds of people. “Theatre is my escape from reality, because when I am acting, I…
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