Lightning Thief Program
Lightning Thief Program
The
Lightning Thief
The Percy Jackson Musical
UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS - DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE Creative Team
PRESENTS
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Director’s Note CAST
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Percy Jackson Thomas Reed Massey
Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live
Annabeth Abby Sledd
to see such times. But that's not for them to decide.
Grover Gene Austyn Lucas
All we have to decide is what to do with the time given
us." Luke Nick Lyles
Sally/Oracle/Charon Joy Hill
J.R.R. Tolkien, THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING Mr. Brunner/Chiron Stephen Haymond
Mr. D Zach Tarwater
Songs
Clarisse Annslyn Pilkington
Act I Ares/Half-Blood Ensemble Tyson Evans
1. “Prologue/The Day I Got Expelled” – Percy Jackson and Company
2. “Strong” – Sally and Percy Jackson Poseidon/Half-Blood Ensemble Nolan Evans
3. “The Minotaur/The Weirdest Dream” – Percy Jackson and Company Hades Destin King
4. “Another Terrible Day” – Mr. D
Gabe/Aunty Em Bailey Glasgow
5. “Their Sign” – Chiron, Percy Jackson and Luke
6. “Put You in Your Place” – Clarisse, Annabeth and Company Katie Gardner/Half-Blood Ensemble MaKenseyAlford
7. “The Campfire Song” – Campers and Chiron Silena Beauregard/ Half-Blood Ensemble Jaanai de la Torre
8. “The Oracle” – The Oracle and Company
9. “Good Kid” – Percy Jackson and Company Half-Blood Ensemble/ Ms. Dodds Madison Hotchkiss
10. “Killer Quest!” – Percy Jackson, Annabeth, Grover and Company Half-Blood Ensemble Kensley Sandlin
Half-Blood Ensemble Karly Wilmore
Act II
11. Prologue, Act II Half-Blood Ensemble Josh Norris
12. “Lost!” – Percy Jackson, Annabeth and Grover Half-Blood Ensemble Troy McMullen
14. “My Grand Plan” – Annabeth
Half-Blood Ensemble Carson Reed
15. “Drive” – Percy Jackson, Annabeth, Grover, Ares and Company
16. “The Weirdest Dream (Reprise)” – Percy Jackson Koken Brandon Byrd
17. “The Tree on the Hill” – Grover and Company Koken/Squirrel Will Harrell
18. “D.O.A” – Chiron and Company
20. “Son of Poseidon” – Percy Jackson, Annabeth, Grover, Ares and Company Koken Grace Mitchell
20a. Poseidon Finally Shows Up – Band Koken Shermine Paige
21. “The Last Day of Summer” – Percy Jackson, Luke and Company
Koken Meredith Vaughn
22. “Bring on the Monsters” – Company
23. Bows / Exit Music – Band
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Bios EMILY GILL (Costume Designer) is starting her 15th
year at UM and is so grateful for every year! She comes
David Callaghan (Director) is
to UM from University of Georgia where she completed
head of the BFA Program with a
her MFA in Drama with an emphasis in Costume Design
Concentration in Musical Theatre
and secondary discipline of Film Studies. Prior to UGA,
at UM, and has directed over 60
she worked as a freelance costume designer in Atlanta,
plays and musicals in educational
GA (her hometown) and favorite projects there include:
and professional theatre settings.
Alice Through the Wonderglass and Be Aggressive for
Before starting his teaching career,
Synchronicity Theatre; Copenhagen and Iphigenia Crash
David worked as an actor and director at theatres
Land Falls... for 7Stages; Boy Gets Girl and The Tale
like The Surflight Theatre, Round Barn Theatre, Mt.
of the Allergist’s Wife for Horizon Theatre; The Mystery
Getna Playhouse, and McCarter Theatre. He spent
of Edwin Drood and Golden Boy at Aurora Theatre. In
several years in NYC working as a Casting Assistant
the Birmingham area, Emily has designed costumes
and Associate on new plays Off-Broadway; regionally
for Peter and the Starcatcher for City Equity Theatre,
at Seattle Rep Theatre; and the original productions
and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Hedwig and
of Terence McNally’s Love! Valour! Compassion! and
the Angry Inch for The DANE Theatre. In Seattle, Emily
August Wilson’s Seven Guitars on Broadway. David also
interned at the Seattle Repertory Theatre and designed
worked on a number of TV and Film projects including
costumes for experimental site-specific performance
the pilot for Cosby on CBS. Various productions at
group ExiTheatre. Emily received a BA in Theatre
UM over the years include plays by Annie Baker, Gina
Arts and English from Rollins College where she had
Gionfriddo, Neil Labute and Anton Chekhov among
many great opportunities as a performer and designer.
others, and a wide variety of musicals including Man
Favorite UM projects include Scapin, Hair, Much Ado
of La Mancha, Side Show, Assassins, Rent, Heathers,
About Nothing, and The Bacchae. Emily is a member
Carrie, Spring Awakening, Chicago and two productions
of the Montevallo Art Collaborative and the coordinator
each of Cabaret, Hair and Company. David is also active
for Montevallo Artwalk. She also “voluntells” her patient
in organizations such as the Association for Theatre
and ever gracious partner Frank as the go-to tent schlep
in Higher Education and SDC, the Director’s union. In
of Montevallo community events, which is arguably her
Birmingham, David has directed for Opera Birmingham
most valuable role, being “Frank’s Emily.”
and Red Mountain Theatre (most recently My Fair Lady)
and is also in his 2nd term on the RMT Board. David is
thrilled to direct the AL premiere of The Lightning Thief
and thanks to the cast and production team, and you the
audience, for returning to live theatre this fall!
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JENNIFER HARTSELL (Musical Direction) earned Murders and The Seagull. He also assists and advises
her B.M. in Piano Performance and M.M. in Compo- Montevallo Mainstreet Players and is a member
sition from the University of Alabama. She completed and instructor for The Birmingham African American
additional studies in music composition at N.Y.U. and Genealogy Group in Birmingham, Alabama.
Cornell University, where she was awarded the presti- Marcus Lane (Fight Director) is currently an
gious Sage Graduate Fellowship. Her compositions for Associate Professor of Theatre and Head of Actor
instrumental ensembles and choral groups have been Training here at UM. He teaches movement, stage
widely performed in the U.S. After several years as combat, acting and directing. He received his MFA
the bass player in a marginally punk/metal band, she in Acting Pedagogy from the University of Alabama
completed doctoral studies in Collaborative Piano at and his BA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University.
the University of Minnesota. While in Minneapolis, she Over the years, Marcus has worked as an actor,
was composer/librettist for the critically acclaimed 2013 fight director/choreographer, movement coach, and
Fringe Festival show Pullman Car Hiawatha. Other director. Recent directing credits at UM include As
MD/pianist credits include Company, Little Shop of You Like It, The Weir, Stop Kiss, and Priscilla Queen
Horrors, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Fid- Of The Desert. His work has also been featured
dler on the Roof, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, A Won- at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, City Equity,
derful Life, The Wizard of Oz, Hedwig and the Angry Theatre Downtown and The Dane. He has received
Inch, and others, including the UM productions of High several BroadwayWorld.com nominations for his
Fidelity, The Rocky Horror Show, and Spring Awaken- work, including nominations for Best Director for
ing, Heathers: The Musical, Godspell, Hair, Urinetown, Boy Gets Girl at Theatre Downtown, Hedwig and the
Carrie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Chicago. All Angry Inch at THE DANE and a nomination for Best
the love and thanks to Bennett Frances and Ken. Production in the last decade for The Wolves at UM.
KEL LAEGER (Scenic Designer) is a scenic and Some of Marcus’s favorite acting credits include Riff
lighting designer and Associate Professor at the Uni- Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, Mad Hatter in Alice
versity of Montevallo. His 17 years at UM includes In Wonderland, and Daniel Boone in Blue Jacket. He
numerous scenic and lighting designs such as Stickfly, is a member of Actors Equity Association, Society
Carrie: The Musical, The Weir, Priscilla, Queen of the of American Fight Directors and the Southeastern
Dessert, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Stop Kiss, Theatre Conference. You can follow his work at @
Hair, Heathers, Spring Awakening, Circle Mirror Trans- thankufive
formation, Rocky Horror Show, Clybourne Park, Heart- KYLE MOORE, M.F.A. (Technical Director) Associate
break House, Assassins, To Gillian on Her 37th Birth- professor. Kyle is happy to be working in his 7th
day, Dead City, Macbeth, Pippin, Musical Comedy season here at the University of Montevallo. Outside of
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his work here at the University he has worked for Red with Red Mountain Theatre Company, Alabama
Mountain Theatre Company as a Scenic Consultant for Ballet, Virginia Samford Theatre, Birmingham
shows such as: Porgy and Bess, My Fair Lady, Little Children’s Theatre, Arova Contemporary Ballet,
Shop Of Horrors, High School Musical, Mama Mia, Opera Birmingham, UAB Theatre, Samford University
Smokey Joe’s Café, and Newsies. He also worked Theatre, The Wright Center, and Workplay. He is
last year with Birmingham Children’s Theatre as a a member of IATSE Local 78 and has also worked
Sound Designer for Charlotte’s Web. Before coming regularly with Local 1. David is a fan of the New
to Montevallo, Kyle earned his MFA from Boston Orleans Saints, sports uniform design, and fonts. He
University, and worked for the American Repertory has made Birmingham his home for the past fifteen
Theatre where he worked to produce Tony Award years with his amazing wife Alison and their awesome
winning shows like: Finding Neverland, All the Way, son Jackson.
The Glass Menagerie, and Pippin. He is currently Annslyn Pilkington (Choreographer) is a senior BFA
doing research into Digital Fabrication and how 3D Musical Theatre Major and is so excited to perform
printing can be used in the world of Theatre. Kyle and choreograph again. Her favorite past roles include
is only able to do all this work because of the love Frieda in Carrie: The Musical, June in Chicago, and
and support that he receives from his beautiful wife various Purple Side Productions. She would like to
Vanessa, and their adorable children Dylan and Eliza. say a special thanks to her friends and family as well
David Page (Guest Lighting Designer) is a Theatrical as Jennifer and Dr. C for helping her get where she is
Designer and Educator, based in Birmingham, today.
Alabama. He also currently serves as the Stage
Electrics Coordinator for the Department of Theatre
at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. After
graduating from the Louisiana Tech University
Department of Theatre, David moved to New York
City where he worked on lighting and electrics crews
both on and off Broadway, notably for The Wedding
Singer, Disney’s The Lion King, and I Love You, You’re
Perfect, Now Change. Since moving to Birmingham,
he has served as Production Manager and Technical
Director for Red Mountain Theatre Company, Arova
Contemporary Ballet, and the Virginia Samford
Theatre. David’s design credits include productions
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Stage management Team Sarah Clayton (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior
BS Theatre major and has had a wonderful experience
Layne Garrett (Stage Manager) is a Senior Theatre being an ASM for The Lighting Thief and seeing the
major and is thrilled to be working on their first show grow into what it is. Sarah has been in past UM
production as Head Stage Manager! Their previous productions such as Chicago and Priscilla: Queen of
UM credits include Company, Chicago, and Priscilla: the Desert. Her most recent project has been Septic:
Queen of the Desert. Layne would like to thank their A Devised Theatre Production. She would like to thank
friends and family, as well as Jennifer Hartsell, Marcus the faculty, her friends, and family for all the support
Lane, and David Callaghan for their support through and love they have given her. She is honored to
this process! have The Lightning Thief be her final show within the
Katy Barnes (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Senior department.
Theatre Major and is so excited to be an Assistant Reagan Parrott (Assistant Stage Manager) is a
Stage Manager on The Lightning Thief this semester. freshman BA Theatre major this year.She is very
Previously she has worked backstage on Company excited to be part of her first production with the
and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and you might have University of Montevallo Department of Theatre. Last
seen her onstage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or year audiences in Calera might have seen her as the
most recently UM’s Devised Piece Septic. She has Genie in Calera high school’s rendition of Aladdin Jr.
had a great time working with this team of some of her She hopes you will love this production as much as
closest friends and she’s excited for you (yes you, dear she does.
reader) to see the show!
Mars Peterson (Assistant Stage Manager) has had
a great time as an Assistant Stage Manager of The
Lightning Thief! He has loved watching this show come
together, and he knows you’ll enjoy this talented cast
onstage. Previously he’s been seen at UM as Harry in
Company and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Catch Mars in his next acting project at UM as David
in Flatliners the Musical from December 2-4! He would
like to thank the faculty for all their hard work and
support as well as his partner, Ana, and his cat, Honey
Bun, for their constant love.
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Tyson Evans (Ares/Half-Blood
Cast Bios
Ensemble) is a sophomore majoring
MaKensey Alford (Katie Gardner/ in Mass Communication with a
Half-Blood Ensemble) is a minor in Digital Filmmaking. Now
freshman theatre major at UM. that Tyson has the opportunity to
The Lightning Thief is MaKensey’s be present on campus, he wants to
debut on UM’s stage. She has seize every opportunity he can to
previously performed in Mobile, AL learn and grow. The Lightning Thief and the UM theatre
at Playhouse in the Park, Baker High department give him one of those opportunities he
School, and Joe Jefferson Players in various roles. She hopes to pursue.
is so incredibly excited to be in this show with so many Bailey Glasgow (Gabe/Aunty Em)
talented people. is a senior at UM and is excited to
Brandon Byrd (Koken) is a be a part of such an amazing story!
Freshman at UM, and is an 18 year She was previously seen performing
old Tuscaloosa native. Theatre has in Point of View as Woman. She
been a part of his life since he was 7 wants to thank her parents and
years old. He is very grateful for this friends for all their love and support
opportunity and would like to give in all she does. She wants to say how much she loves
a very special and super important and adores the cast and crew! Enjoy the show!
“thank you” to the man above, God, from whom all of Will Harrel (Squirrel/Koken)
his many blessings flow! is thrilled to be at UM. Will is
Nolan Evans (Poseidon/ Half- a professional actor and has
Blood Ensemble) is a senior performed in almost every state in
Musical Theatre major, and he is so the U.S. He’s done the Nat. Tours of
excited to be playing Poseidon/Half- Spamalot and Oliver! He’s worked
Blood Ensemble. (Fun fact: Poseidon for the Walnut St. Theater, The
is Nolan’s favorite Greek god! What Theater at Monmouth, The Media Theater, The Wilma,
a coincidence?) Previous credits and many others. He thanks his amazing family,
include: Oliver (As You Like It), David (Company), and friends, and family in fellowship, without whom he
Satan (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot). He would would not be here. Love!
like to thank his friends and family for their love and
support. Check out his instagram: @n.evans.13
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Stephen Haymond (Mr. Brunner/ Destin King (Hades) a Birmingham
Chiron) is a transfer Junior majoring native, is a senior pursuing a B.S
in Mass Communications here at in Theater. The Lightning Thief is
Montevallo. This is his first ever his first musical, but he has also
college production. He is from appeared in, A Midsummer Night’s
Huntsville and he ‘s performed in Dream, StickFly, and other UM
numerous community and school productions. Destin would like to
productions. His favorite roles include Maurice in thank his partner Adam for always believing in him, and
Beauty and the Beast, and Brett in 13. He hopes you his family and friends for continuing their support in his
enjoy the show! journey of discovery!
Joy Hill (Sally/Oracle/ Charon) is Gene Austyn Lucas (Grover)
excited to perform her senior year. is a Junior transfer student from
After working professionally this past Jefferson State Community College
summer at Unto These Hills, she is making his UM debut in The
excited to be back at the University Lightning Thief as Grover. He thanks
of Montevallo. Once she graduates, his family, friends, and mentors for
she plans to pursue her acting and their continual love and support of
stunt career in Atlanta. She thanks her family and God him and his passion for performing. He is thrilled to be
for supporting her. cast and grateful to be in such an inspiring show!
Madison Hotchkiss (Half-Blood Nick Lyles (Luke) is a sophomore
Ensemble/ Ms. Dodds) is a BFA Musical Theatre major from
senior at UM graduating with a Chattanooga, Tennessee. This
BFA in Musical Theatre. Madison is Nick’s first musical here at
transferred from the University of Montevallo, and he is super excited
North Alabama’s Cinematic Arts and to be a part of such an amazing cast.
Theatre program. While being here Notable roles include the Leading
she has been in shows such as Company and SEPTIC. Player in Pippin, Jesus in Godspell, and Kent in Stick
She is very excited to be in this awesome show with a Fly. He would like to thank his parents for believing in
talented cast. Hope everyone gets a laugh out of it! him.
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Thomas Reed Massey (Percy Josh Norris (Half-Blood
Jackson) is a sophomore at the Ensemble) is a sophomore who
University of Montevallo getting his loves to listen to music and watch
BFA in Musical Theatre. This will be TV. This is his second show at UM,
his second production at UM. His and he is so thankful to his family,
other credits include Paul in UM’s friends, and the theatre faculty for
production of Company and Mr. supporting him! He also loves Rock
Wormwood in Matilda. He would like to thank his entire n Roll Sushi.
family for getting him to where he is today. Jer’Howard Shermine Paige
Troy McMullen (Half-Blood (Koken) is a senior BFA Acting
Ensemble) is a current freshman major. They transferred to the UM
here at Montevallo. His most recent from the University of Alabama in
stage credits include Nick Bottom Huntsville. They’re very excited to
in Something Rotten, Dewey in be a part of this show with such
Newsies, Hans in Frozen Jr., and an amazing cast and crew. They
Piangi in The Phantom of the Opera. previously appeared in UM’s production of Stick Fly as
He is so thankful to have a family that supports his the understudy for Flip. They would love to extend a
theatrical endeavors and dreams. He is so thrilled to be huge thank you to their support system.
in his first Montevallo production: The Lightning Thief! Annslyn Pilkington (Clarisse) is a
Grace Mitchell (Koken) is senior BFA Musical Theatre Major
appearing for the second time on the and is so excited to perform and
UM Department of Theatre stage as choreograph again. Her favorite
a Koken in The Lightning Thief. She past roles include Frieda in Carrie:
would like to thank Dr. Callaghan for The Musical, June in Chicago, and
this amazing experience. She would various Purple Side Productions.
also like to thank her professors for She would like to say a special thanks to her friends
all they have taught her. Her parents require thanks and family as well as Jennifer and Dr. C for helping her
for all their support as well. She last appeared in A get where she is today.
Midsummer Night’s Dream as Snug in 2020.
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Carson Reed (Half-Blood Zach Tarwater (Mr. D) is a musical
Ensemble) is a junior BFA Musical theatre major, and is excited to be
Theatre Major who is so excited in The Lightning Thief. Previous
to be in UM’s production of The UM roles include Touchstone in As
Lightning Thief. He most recently You Like It, Miss Understanding/
understudied in UM’s production of Ensemble in Priscilla Queen of
Company. He would like to thank the the Desert, Stokes in Carrie: the
theatre faculty, his family, friends, and AMT/LHTC for Musical, and Officer Barrel in Urinetown. Other roles
the constant help, love, and support. include Happy in Clown Bar and Charlie Brown in
Kensley Sandlin (Half-Blood You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.
Ensemble) is a BFA Musical Theatre Jaanai de la Torre-Martinez
major. The Lightning Thief has (Silena Beauregard/ Half-Blood
been a great kick off for Kensley’s Ensemble) is a sophomore in the
senior year. She wants to thank Musical Theatre program. Jaanai’s
everyone who has supported her roles include The Witch from Into
to this point. She has been blessed the Woods at Hillcrest High School
to have previous roles like Sue in Carrie: The Musical as well as Sarah in UM’s production
and Ensemble in Chicago. She would like everyone to of Company. This is Jaanai’s second show at the
follow her on Instagram @backwoodsbroadway . University of Montevallo.
Abby Sledd (Annabeth) is so Meredith Vaughn (Koken) is a
excited to be performing in her senior BFA Musical Theatre major
second show here at UM! Last year and is so thrilled to be part of
she played Jenny in Company. Her such a fantastic show! Previous
other favorite roles include Vivienne credits include: Company (Susan/
in LMP’s Legally Blonde, Lady Jenny/April U/S), Chicago (Mary
Macbeth in Macbeth, and Winnie Sunshine), Grease (Frenchy),
Foster in Tuck Everlasting. She would like to thank Carrie, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and Brightstar.
Dr. C and Jennifer for the opportunity, guidance, and She would like to thank her family and friends for their
instruction throughout her time here. She knows you’ll constant support!
enjoy the show, just you wait and see!
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Karly Wilmore (Half-Blood Props Coordinator Robin Watson
Ensemble) is a senior BFA Musical Props Artisans Hannah Bazinaw
theatre major. She is beyond Aleriah Briggs
thrilled to be cast in her second Romeo Garrison
UM production. Her previous roles Akyla McCoy
include Susan in UM’s production of Key Stampfli
Company and Clara in Purple Side’s Ivan Taylor
College Night 2020 production. She wants to thank her Production Electrician Krystal Adams
friends, family, professors, and Jennifer Hartsell for all Light Board Operator Emma Holsomback
of their love and support!
Follow Spot Operators Gage Stephens
Lucas Seven
Stage Crew Stage Electricians Lily Farnworth
Austin Mullins
Lucas Seven
Assistant Costume Designer/ Abby Bowers
Gage Stephens
Wardrobe Head
Assistant Technical Director Trevin Fitts
Wardrobe Crew Molly Anstiss
Zoei Bell Carpentry Crew John McLaughlin
EJ Bostich Jacob Salathe
Hannah Mallory Elesha Adams
Madison Rankin-Taylor Seth Harris
LJ Trammell Eric Davis
Rebecca Wood Paint Charge/Assistant to the Julia Jones
Faculty Costume Shop Kyle Everett Scenic Designer
Supervisor Paint Crew CJ Edwards
Costume Shop Staff Makensey Alford Makensey Alford
Molly Anstiss Ashley Jackson
Abby Crist Lindley Argo
CJ Edwards MK Bryant
Caroline Miller Sound Crew Catherine Copeland
Karlyn Warren Akyla McCoy
Rebecca Wood Brock Bush
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Production Crew Paris Burdick
Abby Crist
Bailey Jackson
Caroline Miller
Lucas Seven
Karlyn Warren
Dramaturgs Sarah Clayton
Robin Watson
House Manager Veronica Kloss
Box Office Kristi Carter
Social Media Content Katy Barnes
Program Creator Bart Pitchford
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Amy Murphy, Marcus Lane, Annslyn
Pilkington, David Page, Sarah Clayton, Robin Watson,
COFA Dean - Steve Peters, Center for the Arts Facility
Manager - Andrew Fancher, and Kristi Carter
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2021-2022 Season!
Anon(ymous)
3/3/22—3/6/22
A New Brain
4/21/22—4/24/22
BFA Senior Showcase Pre-
sentation
April 2022
Follow Us At
@montevallotheatre
Or
Visit Us At
www.montevallo.edu/thea
Prospective Student?
Please visit our website at www.montevallo.edu/
thea, our department Facebook page, or call us at
(205) 665-6210 to get more information on
becoming a Theatre Major at the University of
Montevallo!