By: Kniya Potts
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 terms of design, giving them opportunities to direct.” Krek also mentioned that there is a student writer in the production who performs an interpretive spoken word dance piece. “One of my students who’s in economics is doing a spoken word dance number and her name is Sarah Patterson,” added Krek.
Student cast members for New Millennium include Cole Autrey, Lisa Henderson, Tara Laurel, Meadow Lokey, Skytasia McCants, Kelyn McIntyre, Sarah Paterson, Michael James Pritchard and Aaron Rudnick. The actors shared their thoughts after the production last Friday night. When asked about challenges faced during the production process, the cast expressed their unique barriers. “We started this before winter break, so we had this big three-week gap where we couldn’t rehearse with each other, and then it’s like we come back, and we are immediately performing it,” said Tara Laurel. Skytasia McCants added, “This is my first time doing a live performance, so that was challenging because I am really shy.”
According to the actors, what makes this production relevant and engaging for today’s audiences is that it contains modern-based shows. “I feel like younger audiences can feel disconnected to classical plays such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, so I feel like this play is much more modern,” said Paterson. The actors also shared some funny moments during the product. “I almost fell tonight backstage. I tripped over one of the benches and landed flat on my face,” said an actor.
Next up this semester for Theatre AUM is open call auditions for the production Buddies, by Ben Abott. Auditions will be held Tuesday, Feb 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Taylor Center Theatre. A prepared monologue is preferred, but not required. For more information, follow Theatre AUM’s Instagram page @theatreaum or email Faith Roberts, Administrative Associate Theatre Operations, at frobert1@aum.edu.
