A New Brain
Music & Lyrics by William Finn & Book by Finn & James Lapine | Directed by Cooper Ellis & Roy Lightner | Musical Direction by Carolyn Violi
October 12-16, 2022
By the Tony Award-winning authors of Falsettos, here is an energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about a composer during a medical crisis. (Strong language & mature themes.)
Sense & Sensibility
By Kate Hamill | Directed by Santiago Sosa
November 9-12, 16-19, 2022
A playful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne—after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
By Tom Stoppard | Directed by Dennis McLernon
February 22-25 @ 7:30pm; February 26 @ 2pm
Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm's-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare's play.
Sanctuary City
By Martyna Majok | Directed by Bailey Dumlao
March 6-10, 2023
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright returns with an unforgettable account of two young immigrants fighting to establish a place for themselves and each other in America. (Strong language & mature themes.)
Tour Showcase 1: Alice in Wonderland + Loving Shakespeare
August 31, 2022
Tour Showcase 2: Heroes vs Villains + Contemporary Broadway
September 1, 2022
Freshman Showcase
September 30, 2022
B.A. Performance Showcase
December 1, 2022
BFA Musical Theatre Performance Showcase
December 2, 2022
The 39 Steps
Directed by Dennis McLernon
February 21-25, 2024
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock (licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited), and an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
By William Shakespeare | Directed by Santiago Sosa
March 4-8, 2024
In a reimagined John Hughes-Meets-Shakespeare world, things go comically awry when two high school pals fall for the same girl. Packed with doublets, letterman jackets, boomboxes, swords and crimped hair, Two Gents is some totally bodacious Bard!
Sister Act
In Collaboration with Red Mountain TheatreMusic by Alan Menken | Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner | Additional Material by Douglas Carter Beane | Directed by Roy Lightner
April 5-21, 2024
After witnessing a murder, Deloris Van Cartier, the flamboyant disco diva from Sister Act must hide in a local convent, disguised as a nun. At odds with the strict lifestyle and even stricter Mother Superior, she finds her niche in revitalizing the church choir—until it ends up blowing her cover. This feel-good musical comedy will have you saying “Rejoice!”
Tour Showcase 1: The Princess & The Pea/Fiercely, Shakespeare
August 30, 2023
Tour Showcase 2: Pop Divas/Broadway Today
August 31, 2023
Freshman Showcase
September 29, 2023
B.A. & B.F.A. Performance Showcase
December 1, 2023
The ASC is easy to find on Birmingham's Southside, at 1200 10th Avenue South. Parking is free for most events, with a shuttle service running from area hotels. Read more about the Alys Stephens Center here.
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We've produced hundreds of full-length shows in our Department's history, plus short films, student showcases, and more than 100 original ten-minute plays. Our touring groups perform all over the state and our alumni are working professionally all over the country.
Our plays are cast entirely, with very rare exceptions, from the student body. In our auditions, equal consideration is given to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Students who demonstrate exceptional ability are frequently allowed to design and even direct our main-season productions.
Our stages are stars in their own rights: the Sirote Theatre and the Odess Theatre, both in the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in Birmingham's Southside.