MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile’s Alabama School of the Arts has been honored with 10 prestigious awards from The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, a national program recognizing excellence and diversity in university and college theatre programs across the United States.
The awards program celebrates the finest work in university and college theatre, highlighting outstanding achievements in all areas of production. This recognition is a significant honor, as only a select few institutions receive these coveted awards each season.
Dr. Andrew Goodwin, dean of the Alabama School of the Arts, said ASOTA faculty bring decades of experience and expertise into University of Mobile classrooms and rehearsals.
“I am immensely proud of the faculty who received these prestigious awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Their recognition is testament to their creativity and dedication to our students. Our theatre department is thriving, and I am confident our 2024-2025 season will be another award-winning season,” Goodwin said.
The Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile provides quality academics with unique performance opportunities in a Christian environment. A wide range of ensembles and concerts give students extensive opportunities to spend more time gaining real-world, hands-on experience on stage and behind the scenes.
Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees are offered through the departments of music, theatre, worship leadership and production technologies. For more information about the Alabama School of the Arts, including opportunities to audition for scholarships, visit umobile.edu/asota.
Outstanding Faculty and Students
The following Alabama School of the Arts faculty and students in the Department of Theatre were recipients of The Kennedy Center awards:
Director:
- Stewart Hawley, assistant professor of theatre and chair, department of theatre – These Shining Lives, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
- Alexandra Trosper, assistant professor of music – The Pirates of Penzance
Music Direction:
- Gregory Wiggins, instructor of music – The Pirates of Penzance
Costume Design:
- Malinda Powers, adjunct instructor, theatre costumes and design – The Pirates of Penzance, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Choreography:
- Heidi Lemon, adjunct instructor, theatre dance – The Pirates of Penzance
Lighting Design:
- Chad Rivers, production technologies student – The Pirates of Penzance
Technical Direction:
- Jeremy Harford, director of production technologies – The Pirates of Penzance
Sound Design:
- Katie Jones, director of media and production – The Pirates of Penzance
Upcoming ASOTA Theatre Productions
The 2024-2025 Alabama School of the Arts season includes several major productions. Audiences will explore the world of 1920s Russia with the musical “Anastasia,” celebrate a medieval “Boar’s Head Festival” Christmas feast and experience a fresh approach to Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “Hamlet.”
Information on these and many more upcoming events presented by the talented students and faculty of the Alabama School of the Arts can be found on the University of Mobile website at umobile.edu/asotaseason.
Pictured above: The Pirates of Penzance.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Baleigh Essary is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. Baleigh earned a Bachelors of Science in Management along with a minor in Graphic Design from UM in December of 2023. Baleigh is an active member and volunteer at More Life Church in Grand Bay. She is an avid photographer, and you will always find her with her Owala in one hand and caffeine in the other. One thing about Baleigh is that when she travels, 99% of the time it will be to visit her home-away-from-home, DISNEY!