UAB Department of Theatre announces new season of plays for 2022-2023

Theatre UAB will present “A New Brain,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” “Sanctuary City,” and “Into the Woods” for its 2022-2023 season.

Theatre UABtheatre new arts season will present “A New Brain,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” “Sanctuary City,” and “Into the Woods” for its 2022-2023 season. This season, Musical Theatre Bachelor of Fine Arts student Cooper Ellis will co-direct “A New Brain,” and spring 2022 graduate Bailey Dumlao will direct “Sanctuary City.”

Oct. 12-16

A New Brain

From the Tony Award-winning authors of “Falsettos,” here is an energetic, sardonic, often comical musical about a composer during a medical crisis. Music and lyrics by William Finn; book by Finn and James Lapine. Directed by student Cooper Ellis and Roy Lightner, with musical direction by Carolyn Violi. Contains strong language and mature themes. Shows 7:30 p.m. nightly Oct. 12-15, and 2 p.m. Oct. 16, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre. Tickets are $15 and $20; students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. 

Nov. 9-12 and Nov. 16-19

Sense and Sensibility

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. Written by Kate Hamill. Directed by Santiago Sosa. Shows 7:30 p.m. nightly Nov. 9-12 and Nov. 16-18 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 19, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Odess Theatre. Tickets are $15; students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. 

Feb. 22-26, 2023

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, “Rosencrantz and 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. Written by Tom Stoppard. Directed by Dennis McLernon. Shows 7:30 p.m. nightly Feb. 22-25 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 26, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre. Tickets are $12 and $15; students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. 

Bailey Dumlao side headshotSpring 2022 graduate Bailey Dumlao will direct “Sanctuary City.”March 6-10, 2023

Sanctuary City

The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok returns with an unforgettable account of two young immigrants fighting to establish a place for themselves and each other in America. Contains strong language and mature themes. Directed by 2022 Theatre UAB alumnus Bailey Dumlao. Shows 7:30 p.m. nightly, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Odess Theatre. Tickets are $15; students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. 

April 12-16, 2023

Into The Woods

The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. Contains mature themes. Some material may be disturbing to young audiences. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by James Lapine. Directed by Valerie Accetta, with musical direction by Carolyn Violi. Shows 7:30 p.m. nightly April 12-15 and at 2 p.m. April 16, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre. Tickets are $15 and $20; students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. 

Theatre UAB is the performance company of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Tickets go on sale Sept. 15. To purchase tickets, call the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office at 205-975-2787.

The UAB Department of Theatre prepares students for careers in the performing arts, including acting, directing, musical theater and stagecraft. Academic options include the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in performance, design/technology, or general theatre.

Learn more about theater degrees at UAB here. To apply, visit www.uab.edu/apply.

The department has produced hundreds of full-length shows in its 50-year history, plus short films, student showcases and more than 100 original 10-minute plays. Its touring groups perform throughout the state and the department’s alumni are working professionally all over the country. The plays are cast entirely, with very rare exceptions, from the student body, and in auditions, equal consideration is given to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students who demonstrate exceptional ability are frequently allowed to design and even direct main-season productions.