LIVINGSTON, Ala.— Four aspiring theater directors at the University of West Alabama are stepping into the spotlight this November as the Department of Communications and Creative Arts presents Double Takes, a student-directed showcase of one-act plays performed entirely by UWA students.
Making their directorial debuts Nov. 5-7 are Savanna Williams of Madison, Alabama, directing A Tale of Two Spectators by Peter Manos; Kelly Scott of Birmingham, Alabama, directing In the Tank by Rosemary Frisino Toohey; Taylor Schambach of New Orleans, Louisiana, directing Birdgirl on Walkabout by James Armstrong; and Brooke Burbank of Montgomery, Alabama, directing Dead by David Abolafia.
“This isn’t the theatrical experience we’ve typically done at UWA,” Scott said. “It’s four short plays with different storylines” added Schambach, “where the audience will see multiple people’s work and the time, effort, and care each of us put into these productions.”
“When people take the time to attend these performances, it shows us—and the actors, stage managers, and crew—that they support the arts,” said Williams. “This is something we all really care about,” added Burbank. “We’ve put our heart and soul into these plays.”
Rhonda Faulkner-Wooley, associate professor of theater, said she’s thrilled to let her students take full creative control for the first time, a departure from the department’s usual approach in which students in her directing class assist her with a single production each semester.
“This project gives students full creative control—from casting to production design,” Wooley said. As part of UWA’s Creative Arts Enterprise major in the College of Liberal Arts, students have opportunities like these directing roles for practice-based learning that combines artistic expression with portfolio-driven work. The major is designed for students interested in the visual arts, music, theater, creative writing, or animation and is customizable through a variety of engaging elective course and experiences like this.
She added that Double Takes marks the first time a student production will be staged in the newly constructed 45-seat Black Box Theater in Foust Hall.
“The UWA Auditorium, where we typically host productions is fantastic, but it’s better suited for larger shows,” Wooley explained. “The black box space creates a more intimate experience for the audience and the performers,” she added. It’s a simpler setting with minimal lighting that she said is part of the excitement and plays into the immersive experience for the audience. “There’s a saying in theater that the audience is always the last character cast, and it’s especially true here.”
Scott said the variety of plays offers something for everyone. “Whether you’ve been to a show at UWA before or not, these one-acts span the full range of storytelling—including drama, romance, and comedy,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, a great night of theatre, and we hope everyone will come out and support us.”
Each play runs 20 to 25 minutes, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. in Foust Hall, Room 13. There is no charge for admission, and limited seating is available with no reservations. Due to mature themes, the showcase is recommended for audiences ages 15 and older.