Learn about... SIUE
The University of Alabama is a major, comprehensive, student-centered research university founded in 1831 as Alabama’s first public college.
Dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and service, we provide a creative, nurturing campus environment where our students can become the best individuals possible … learn from the best and brightest faculty … and make a positive difference in the community, the state and the world.
More USA Today Academic All-Americans attend The University of Alabama than any college in the nation. National Merit Scholars also appreciate UA's rising tide of academic excellence. In fact, we are in the top 10 percent in the nation for National Merit Scholars with a 11th ranking among all public colleges.
For 175 years, The University of Alabama has been equipping young men and women with the academic ability and character to pursue fulfilling, meaningful life's work. Along the way, we have become a family - a crimson family - steeped in pride and traditions of excellence.
41 NCAA national athletic championships. A Greek System that is one of the oldest and most respected in the nation. An Alumni Association with over 100 active chapters. And a top 10 percent standing in national merit scholars. At Alabama's flagship university, one word defines pride and tradition... crimson.
The University of Alabama offers more than 250 student organizations that help students develop character, leadership skills, and value structures.
Our Community Service Center offers dozens of ways for students to serve others. Campus Ministries encourages faith on campus. And our Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility teaches students how to talk about difficult topics. At the Capstone, we help our students become solid, contributing citizens. As Alabama's flagship university, that is our highest calling.
Demographics
Of the 23,878 students enrolled at UA,
73% come from Alabama
24% come from elsewhere in the United States
4% are international students from 86 countries
18% are 25 years old or older
20% of our undergraduates belong to sororities or fraternities
54% are women
11% are African-American
2% are Hispanic-American
1% are Asian-American
On our campus,
30% major in arts and sciences
22% major in business
10% major in communication
1% major in community health sciences
10% major in education
9% major in engineering
10% major in human environmental sciences
2% major in law
5% major in nursing
2% major in social work
Did You Know?
The University of Alabama is ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation for the seventh consecutive year in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, fall 2007.
The University of Alabama ranked 12th in the nation among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars in 2007.
Seven University of Alabama students were named to the 2008 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team, the most of any school. This year’s team brings UA’s total for the last six years to 31, a figure that tops all other colleges and universities.
Enrollment at The University of Alabama is at a record high of 25,580 for fall 2007. The entering freshman class, at 4,538 students, is the largest in UA history.
UA is regularly ranked among the top 100 public universities in Kiplinger’s annual list of colleges and universities that combine “great academics and affordable tuition.”
Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama is the state’s first university.
Life on the University of Alabama campus is defined by opportunities.
If you want to get involved, join one of more than 250 student organizations … help plan concerts and speaker series … participate in intramural teams … or run for student government.
If you enjoy the arts, you can take advantage of a rich and varied schedule of musical, dance and theatre performances, art galleries and exhibitions, lectures and readings by writers, poets and experts on every topic imaginable.
You can enrich your knowledge of the state and university's history by visiting one of UA's fine museums, which house countless historical artifacts and offer hands-on exploration opportunities.
The University of Alabama offers a complete educational, cultural and social experience. Whatever your interests, you’ll find a group, an organization, an activity or a program that will appeal to you at UA.
ADMISSIONS
Mary Spiegel, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Mary is responsible for the overall management and operation of the Undergraduate Admissions Office, which includes the administration of all aspects for new student recruitment. This position also provides the direction of activities to ensure immediate and accurate processing of applications and other required documents, and admission notification to prospective students. Mary has a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Georgia and has been a member of the Crimson Tide family since 1979.
Email Mary Spiegel at mary.spiegel@ua.edu
Interested in UA? Want to talk about it?
Our Admissions Counselors take part in programs for college-bound students all over Alabama, throughout the Southeast, and across the nation. Visit the Counselors page to find out when you can meet a UA Admissions Counselor in your area!
Ready to Apply, just click on the box!
Bamalog is where students write about life at UA. Check it out by clicking on the box!
Our Professor Podcast interviews are conducted by students, and offer insight from professors about making the transition to college life from high school. Professors also discuss their own academic areas and provide useful information about what kind of work is involved in various degree programs. Check it out by clicking on the iPod!
Become an Alabama VIP
UA Undergraduate Admissions realizes that choosing the best school for your college education can be a complex process. We are here for you — to answer your questions and to provide you with the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
To complete the appropriate inquiry form so UA will be able to stay in touch during this important and exciting time, just click on the VIP box below!
Campus Visits
The best way to satisfy your curiosity about living and learning at The University of Alabama is to visit campus.
With a University of Alabama student as your guide, the guided campus tour gives prospective students and their families the opportunity to see the campus first-hand, learn about UA history, and discover the many opportunities the University has to offer. You may also attend an information session (hosted by an admissions counselor) at 11:30 a.m. Monday - Friday.
Please Note: Due to limited seating on the bus, we cannot guarantee space for guests who have not pre-registered. When registering, please include your group count. You may reserve up to five seats with each registration.
Schedule a guided campus tour now!
Contact UA
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
(205) 348-6010
And or course...
Home > Tour the Colleges! > Alabama > University of Alabama
The Acting Program At...
University of Alabama
THE THEATRE DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Our Mission...
In the most inclusive sense, the mission of the Department of Theatre and Dance is to offer excellent teaching and resultant dynamic learning on the graduate (theatre only) and undergraduate levels of education.
The curriculum reflects an understanding of these arts as an arena where the experiences encountered in life are explored and shared in unique communication with an audience.
Theatre and dance students as artists/scholars/practitioners are empowered to develop specialized knowledge, talents, and skills, as well as comprehension of a variety of methodologies, historical perspectives, and theoretical principles.
The department strives to nurture the development of creative, independent, and well-educated students who are able to work collaboratively in the creation of their arts.
Academic Programs...
The Department of Theatre offers various programs of study leading to the B.A. degree in theatre. These program areas include: acting, musical theatre, theatre management and administration, scene design and technical production, costume design and production.
The highly motivated student who seeks to be well prepared for either the profession or graduate education may choose to take more hours in the major than the specified 36. This plan of action is highly desirable and strongly advised, but is not required. If more than 42 hours are accrued in the major, the student will be exceeding the 120-credit-hour requirement for graduation by the number of hours taken over the single subject 42-credit-hour limit.
Admission into the musical theatre program is by audition and students who are accepted take a core curriculum of theatre courses, together with continuous study in: dance technique (including ballet, modern, jazz and tap), voice and repertoire coaching, musicianship for musical theatre performers, musical theatre scene study, history of musical theatre styles, cabaret performance.
The Musical Theatre Department produces two musicals each year and these performance opportunities are supplemented by student-produced revues. Students can gain professional performing experience in our new Summer Tide Theatre in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Our Commitment...
We are committed to bringing the best of the theatrical world to our campus. Our faculty consists of dedicated teachers who are also active theatre professionals, with national and international credits. Their efforts are supplemented by distinguished visiting artists and teachers.
We are equally committed to connecting our students to the professional theatrical world through internships, mentoring and our New York Showcase, which presents graduating seniors to agents, casting directors and other industry professionals (during years in which the showcase is produced).
All of this is offered within a traditional liberal arts B.A. program, in the intellectually and culturally stimulating environment of a highly ranked state university.
Undergraduate Admissions...
Incoming Freshmen: The University of Alabama welcomes applications from all qualified prospective students and wants to make the admissions process as simple as possible. Here is what you need to do to apply:
Complete the University of Alabama application for admission and scholarships. If you are not applying online, submit your print application with a check or money order for $35.00 made payable to The University of Alabama (the online application fee is $30). The application fee is nonrefundable. Return your print application to The University of Alabama, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Box 870132, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0132.
Have your ACT or SAT score(s) sent to our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Note: Our ACT code is 0052 and our SAT code is 1830. (Information on these tests is available from your high school counselor, or from the test services: ACT, Box 451, Iowa City, IA 52243; SAT, College Board ATP, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08541.)
Have your most recent official high school transcript sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Meet Just a Few of Our Gifted Faculty...
WILLIAM TEAGUE
Department Chair, Director of Lighting Design Program, Professor
Professor of Theatre, William Teague teaches design and technical theatre. In addition to this theatrical work, he is represented in other media as well. He has designed scenery for Alabama Public Television and was Production Designer for the feature motion picture, Rebel Love. Mr. Teague wrote and supplied graphics for the Computer Assisted Design section of Scene Design and Stage Lighting, the most widely used text in technical theatre. He has also served as a theatre consultant on restorations and new facilities around the southeast. He is the Vice-President for Special Operations for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, the 1995 winner of the USITT Southeast Region "Outstanding Educator of the Year" award, former President of the Alabama Conference of Theatre and Speech, and a member of SETC, as well as USITT. In 2004 he received the "Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award" from the UA National Alumni Association.
Email: wteague@theatre.as.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-5283
Steve Burch
Assistant Professor of Theatre History
Dr. Burch joins the Department of Theatre and Dance as its theatre historian after two years at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. A published scholar in such journals as Theatre Journal and The Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism. A prize-winning playwright including a Playwriting Fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Burch received his B.A. in English from CUNY-Hunter College in New York, his M.A. in Theatre from Northern Illinois University and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His areas of specialization include Irish, labor, and holocaust theatres, and his essays are included in the Reference Guide to Literature of the Holocaust (2002).
Email: sburch@bama.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-0343
Ray Chambers
Director of Professional Actor Training Program at the Alabama Shakeseare Festival
Ray Chambers has worked with ASF as an actor, director, writer, and instructor. He was last seen at ASF in Man of La Mancha, and has played in numerous productions at ASF including, Coriolanus, King John, Henry V, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, The Winter’s Tale, The Rivals, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Other regional credits include: Bent, Antony and Cleopatra, The School for Scandal, Coriolanus, Love’s Labours Lost, Hamlet, Macbeth, and others at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego; and numerous productions for Arizona Theatre Company, Syracuse Stage, and Studio Arena Theatre.
Email: rchambers@asf.net
Office: (334) 273-5300
Raphael Crystal
Director of Musical Theatre Track, Assistant Professor
Professor Crystal is active professionally as a theater composer, arranger and musical director. His composing credits include musicals (he received a New York Outer Critics Circle award for Best Off-Broadway Musical for the show Kuni-Leml), ballets, incidental music, industrial shows, videos, and cabaret material. This season the Jean Cocteau Rep in New York will premiere his new musical version of Moliere's Le bourgeoisie gentilhomme. He has served as musical director for many off-Broadway shows in New York, and at leading regional and stock theatres, including the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Massachusetts, the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island, the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and many others. He comes to UA from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Email: rcrystal@bama.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-8856
Allison Hetzel
Assistant Professor of Acting & Voice
Professor Hetzel is delighted to join the Theatre and Dance Department at the University of Alabama. She taught at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for the past three years prior to joining UA. She teaches in the areas of voice and acting as well as directs, vocal coaches, and acts in productions. She directed the recent production of Our Town at UA. Other directing credits include, The Boys Next Door and Prelude to A Kiss. Recent roles include Lady Smatter in The Witlings and the one woman show Medea Redux. Vocal coaching credits include Othello and The Birds. She received her M.F.A. in Voice and Acting Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds a B.A. in Theatre from Viterbo College. Prior to her graduate work she performed at the following theatres in Chicago, IL: Organic Theatre, Ivanhoe, Factory, and The Theatre Building. She has studied Classic Greek Theatre with the Athens Centre of Greece where she performed in a touring production of The Trojan Women. She also performed in Darkly Beautiful at the 2002 International Theatre Festival of Sibiu Romania, where she worked with the DAH Theatre Company of Yugoslavia. She has attended voice workshops led by Arthur Lessac and Catherine Fitzmaurice and studied voice and speech with Janet Rodgers at VCU. Allison has led voice and acting workshops in Virginia, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Scotland. She is also an active member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA).
Email: ahetzel@bama.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-5283
Seth Panitch
Director of Acting, Acting & Movement , Assistant Professor
Professor Panitch is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and teaches Acting and Movement at the University of Alabama, directs mainstage productions, and co- directs the Master of Fine Arts program in Acting/ Pedagogy. Seth is an accomplished actor, director, playwright and screenwriter. He has acted and directed both in New York and regionally, including productions at the American Place Theatre, Westbeth Theatre Center, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Idaho Repertory Theatre, Urban Stages Theatre and the Hillside Repertory Company in Los Angeles. His plays Dammit, Shakespeare!, Hell: Paradise Found and What's Taking Moses So Long? have received critical success in both New York and Los Angeles productions, and his screenplays Restoration and That's Life are currently in development with Affinity Films and the Joel Zwick Company, respectively. Recent UA credits include Director of last season's Fifth of July and performing the dual role of Chandebise/ Posche in A Flea in Her Ear. Seth's particular area of expertise is classical theatre, and he received his M.F.A. from the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Washington under Jack Clay.
Email: spanitch@bama.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-3845
Ed Williams
Founding Department Chair, Professor of Directing and Stage Management
Dr. Williams is Professor of Theatre and Founding Chairman of the UA Department of Theatre and Dance since its formation in 1979. His production of Edward Bond's Lear was honored with its selection to the national level of the American College Theatre Festival and was performed at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Dr. Williams has been recognized with Druid Arts Awards for "Best Production of a Play" and "Theatre Educator". In 1996 he was honored by the National Alumni Association of the University of Alabama with their Outstanding Commitment to Teaching award. Dr. Williams is a past president of the Alabama Theatre League and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. Former Chairman of the Commission on Accreditation Dr. Williams now serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and he was recently elected the National Theatre Conference, an honorary organization of movers and shakers of the American Theatre.
Email: ewilliam@theatre.as.ua.edu
Office: (205) 348-5283
MEET THE REST OF THE FACULTY BY CLICKING HERE
CHECK OUT OUR EXCITING 2008 / 2009 SEASON OF PLAYS!
DIRECTIONS
The Theatre District (including the Marian Gallaway Theatre and the Allen Bales Theatre in Rowand-Johnson Hall, and Morgan Auditorium across the street) is located on Stadium Drive near the intersection of Marrs Spring Road on the west end of the University of Alabama Campus.
If traveling from I-59 take Exit 73 onto McFarland Blvd and follow this to University Blvd, following the signs to the campus.
Once in the campus area follow University Blvd past the President's Mansion (on your left) and the Quad (on your right). Turn right onto Stadium Drive and follow for 2 blocks to the intersection of Stadium Drive and Marrs Spring Road. The tenHoor Parking deck is located to your left and available for your parking convenience.
COME ENJOY OUR SUMMER THEATRE!
General Information
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Department of Theatre & Dance
Box 870239
115 Rowand-Johnson Hall
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0239
I'd like to call someone:
For academic information, please call our Main Office at (205) 348-5283.
For tickets and show information, please call our Box Office at (205) 348-3400.
You can also reach us by fax at (205) 348-9048.
I'd like to email someone about academic programs: Please contact Pamela McCray at pmccray@bama.ua.edu.
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