Posted on May 22, 2001 at 9:30 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Alys Stephens Center and the UAB Department of Theatre announce the debut of a professional equity theatre company, The 13th Street Ensemble. The 13th Street Ensemble will be in residence at the Alys Stephens Center.

The core of The 13th Street Ensemble will be the faculty and staff of the UAB Department of Theatre. The company will mark its inaugural season this summer with two award-winning plays, “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn and “Oleanna” by David Mamet. Sponsors for the theatre company are WRRS 101.1 The Spot and Black & White.

The 13th Street Ensemble presents “Noises Off,” directed by Marc Powers, M.F.A., professor and chair of the UAB Theatre Department, at 7:30 p.m. June 27-30 and July 5-7 and at 2 p.m. June 30, July 1 and July 7, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre. “Noises Off” is a wild British comedy about a touring theatre troupe that can't quite get its act together.

The company will present “Oleanna,” directed by Will York, M.F.A., UAB theatre professor, at 7:30 p.m. July 11-14 and July 18-21, with 2 p.m. matinees on July 14 and July 21, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Odess Theatre. “Oleanna” is a provocative two-person drama that focuses on the dynamics of dialogue and human interaction.

Tickets for all shows are $20. For information call (205) 975-2787.

The first performance of The 13th Street Ensemble's inaugural season will feature a Sneak Preview Benefit on Tuesday, June 26th. The sneak preview is intended to be an annual event to benefit a charity or charities associated with UAB. This season's beneficiary is the 1917 Clinic at UAB, an outpatient clinic that provides medical, educational and social support services for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from the benefit performance will go to the 1917 Clinic's Patients' Assistance Fund.

The formation of a professional theatre company in residence at UAB will allow UAB theatre students the opportunity to observe and work alongside the faculty and staff, as well as alongside professional actors, directors and designers, Powers said.

“The 13th Street Ensemble was created to provide our advanced students with a bridge to professional theatre, to provide the professional actors on our faculty with a venue for their continued work, and to further enrich the summer theatre scene in Birmingham,” Powers said.

“In future seasons we hope to increase the number of productions and open the casting to include many fine actors here in Birmingham.”