February 3-8, UAB Hosts Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with assistance from Birmingham-Southern College and Samford University, will host the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.

Posted on January 22, 2004 at 3:42 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with assistance from Birmingham-Southern College and Samford University, will host the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.

In addition to hosting the festival, the UAB Theatre production of “Metamorphoses” was one of six full-length plays selected by ACTF judges to compete in the festival, said Marc Powers, chairman of the UAB Department of Theatre. A pre-festival performance of “Metamorphoses” is planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31 in the Alys Stephens Center’s Sirote Theatre, 1200 10th Avenue South. Tickets are $12.50 and $10. Call (205) 975-2787 for information. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the festival, Powers said.

ACTF judges, called respondents, attend college theatre productions throughout the year and nominate shows for the festival. The regional competition at UAB includes colleges from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Festival performances will be held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, at the Virginia Samford Theatre and at Birmingham-Southern College.

Hosting the festival is a boon to students and to the department. Students can attend workshops, such as acting for the camera, stage combat and improvisation, and also can see the work done by other schools, Powers said. Normally the department sends about 20 students to attend the festival, but this year all of the students can enjoy the benefits and opportunities because no travel is involved, Powers said.

“Metamorphoses,” directed by Marc Powers and based on David R. Slavitt’s translation of “The Metamorphoses of Ovid,” is a visually arresting and contemporary work about the power of love to transform. Based on myths from Ovid’s epic poem, “Metamorphoses” explores selfishness and love, faith, betrayal and change. The play is rich with visual imagery, sensual movement, music, poetry and humor.

For information on festival workshops, presenters and special events and for information on the production of “Metamorphoses,” go to www.uab.edu/cas/theatre.


The UAB Theatre production of 'Metamorphoses' (pictured) was one of six full-length plays selected by ACTF judges to compete in Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.

The UAB Theatre production of “Metamorphoses” (pictured) was one of six full-length plays selected by ACTF judges to compete in Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.
The UAB Theatre production of 'Metamorphoses' (pictured) was one of six full-length plays selected by ACTF judges to compete in Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.

The UAB Theatre production of “Metamorphoses” (pictured) was one of six full-length plays selected by ACTF judges to compete in Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF) February 3-8.