UAB Briefs: Theatre UAB's new season, a special magic show, online honors
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs.
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
STUDENT-MADE THEATRE
Theatre UAB, the performance company of the Department of Theatre, will present five productions as part of its 2018-19 season.
And the shows are truly student-made.
About 50 students usually perform in each show, along with a crew of 50 to 60 students working in costumes, construction, lighting, props and other areas, according to a UAB news release.
Ticket prices vary. For details, including student tickets and discounts for UAB staff and faculty, call 934-3236 or go to uab.edu/cas/theatre
The full lineup:
Oct. 17-21: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Sirote Theatre. This riotous musical won the Tony and the Drama Desk awards for Best Book. The play features audience participation, as well as adult language and situations. Performances are Oct. 17-20, 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
Nov. 7-10, Nov. 14-17: Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Odess Theatre. Separate but connected New Yorkers grapple with sexuality, politics and religion during the 1980s AIDS crisis in Tony Kushner’s celebrated epic play, which contains sexual content and adult language. Performances are Nov. 7-10, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 14-16, 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.
Feb. 20-24: Hay Fever. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Sirote Theatre. Crazy cut-ups ensue when the members of the self-absorbed Bliss family invite guests for the weekend. Noel Coward classic play is a mix of farce and a comedy of manners. Performances are Feb. 20-23, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 24, 2 p.m.
March 4-8: Theatre UAB Festival of 10-Minute Plays. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Odess Theatre. All of the plays in the 15th annual Festival of 10-Minute Plays are written, directed and acted by students, staff and faculty from the Department of Theatre. Admission is $5
April 10-14: Savage. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Sirote Theatre. This original musical — conceived and developed by UAB Associate Professor of Theatre Karla Koskinen — tells the true tale of a African man who was taken from his home and cruelly exploited when he was put on display at the St. Louis World’s Fair and The Bronx Zoo. Performances are at April 10-13, 7:30 p.m., and April 14, 2 p.m.
THE POWER OF MAGIC
Award-winning magician Kevin Spencer will offer storytelling, stage magic and audience participation during his performance at Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m., according to a UAB news release.
Spencer is considered the leading authority on the therapeutic use of magic tricks in special education and rehabilitation.
His show will be a relaxed, sensory-friendly one designed to create an experience that is welcoming to all families, including those who have children with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities.
During his residency at UAB — presented by the UAB Institute for Arts in Medicine — Spencer will give workshops at the Exceptional Foundation for adults with cognitive disabilities, performances at Children’s of Alabama hospital and workshops with occupational therapy students in the School of Health Professions.
Tickets are $5 and support the UAB Arts in Medicine program.
To reserve seats or for more information, email laurenme@uab.edu.
ONLINE AWARDS
The UAB School of Education’s online reading and early childhood and elementary education master’s programs have been ranked among the best online master’s programs by bestschools.org.
The UAB master’s in early childhood and elementary education program ranked No. 10 on the website’s recent list of 30 Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degree Programs.
UAB’s master’s in reading education ranked No. 18 on the site’s 30 Best Online Master’s in Reading Programs list.
The programs were ranked based on quality and range of courses provided, as well as strength of faculty scholarship, rankings and reputation.
The School of Education offers six online master’s degree programs in areas that include reading education, physical education and health/community education, according to a UAB news release.