Students from The University of Alabama’s department of theatre and dance will bring to life “The Philadelphia Story” with opening night slated for Valentine’s Day.
Set in 1930s Philadelphia, the romantic comedy follows the privileged daughter of the Lord family who created quite the scandal, divorcing her husband and arranging to remarry. While theatergoers will get to know the characters being portrayed on stage, we’d like to take you behind-the-scenes for a deeper look into the students who helped bring the story to life.
Elizabeth Kirkland, Assistant Director
1st year Master of Fine Arts Directing candidate
Q: How did you get into theater?
A: I got into theater because I didn’t make the volleyball team in 7th grade, so I tried out for a play. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Q: What would you like to do after graduation?
A: After graduation, I’d like to be a professor/director of theater back in Dallas.
Q: What skills do you learn while participating in the varied productions and how do those skills help prepare you for your future career goals?
A: There are an immeasurable amount of skills you learn while in theater. I’ve done everything from sound design, concert lighting, playwriting, acting and now, directing. You also get a true sense of what it means to be collaborative. I taught junior high theater arts and speech communications for five years before coming to UA. None of the skills I have learned have been wasted because I can use them on a limitless number of productions and in classroom settings. I am my best when I am teaching others about the thing I love most.
Q: At the end of this production, how many hours would you have spent working on it?
A: I will have worked over 120 hours on this production. Auditions, dramaturgical research, meetings and rehearsals are very time consuming, but well worth the work behind getting a production on its feet.
“The Philadelphia Story” runs Feb. 14-18 with a 7:30 p.m. showtime and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Feb. 19 at the Marian Gallaway Theatre. For more info, visit https://theatre.ua.edu/productions/the-philadelphia-story/.