Alabama State University, the historically Black educational institution in Montgomery and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, are now partners in a new initiative to enhance the learning experiences of students enrolled in the theatre arts department of the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The agreement will create opportunities for the university’s students for internships, professional training, observations, mentorships, class credits, and other avenues of education and professional advancement under the guidance of university faculty and the staff at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Quinton T. Ross, Jr., president of Alabama State University, stated that “this is a model agreement that will allow our students to learn more about the technical side of theater, as well as various methods of participating and excelling in the arts. This will broaden the educational and career opportunities of our students and will help by building pathways of diversity and artistic enrichment for them in acting, technical production, and leadership roles in the arts and entertainment sectors.”
Rick Dildine, artistic director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, added that this agreement “furthers our mutual goals of providing opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) students to gain experience and build networks that will help launch their careers as leaders and artists in the theatre.”
