Published on August 22, 2018 by Ashley Smith  
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Students in Samford’s School of the Arts will hit the ground running when they return in late August to prepare for an exciting performance season. From ensembles to major productions, students will share their talents with the Samford and Birmingham communities.

The Department of Theatre and Dance begins with the Theatre for Youth production and Alabama premier of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  This heartwarming story of a toy rabbit finding the meaning of love takes the stage Sept. 27-30 with a special FirstNight performance for area agencies. This production is underwritten by Emma Taylor and Milo’s Hamburgers.

Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler follows in Bolding Studio Oct. 25-28, telling the classic story of passion and desperation.  Samford Opera will debut the newly commissioned opera The Ghosts of Gatsby Nov. 15-18, showcasing students and the work of librettist Josh McGuire and composer Evan Mack.

The spring season will begin Jan. 31-Feb. 3 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing where the audience will be humming along to familiar show tunes.  This event is underwritten by Regency Retirement Village Birmingham.  The annual Dance Concert takes place Feb. 22-23 featuring the Samford Dance Company and collaborative works from across the School of the Arts.

Theatre for Youth’s Peter and the Starcatcher will run March 21-24, bringing a tale of adventure for families. The musical version of the beloved Freaky Friday takes center stage April 25-28. 

Additional season highlights include the American Shakespeare Center Hand of Time Tour Feb. 15-16, an opera workshop April 5-6, Ten-Minute Play Festival in December and the One Act Festival in May. 

School of the Arts is grateful for season underwriters Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman, Dr. Chandler and Jane Paris Smith and Emma Taylor for supporting arts students and productions. 

Mark Castle, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, shares his gratitude, “Our donors help us create tremendous hands-on opportunities for our students to perform and produce professional productions.  We have an impressive line-up of shows this year and appreciate their continued support.”

 

Tickets are available at tickets.samford.edu.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.