Although the worldwide shut down due to COVID-19 led to many missed opportunities, access to plays, musicals and dance performances at The University of Alabama (UA) wasn’t abandoned for long.
By filming performance pieces in a single, unedited production run to recreate that live theater feel, the department has been successful in allowing students to continue partaking in their passions for the arts.
In fact, UA’s Theatre and Dance Department picked up right where they left off by choosing performance pieces to extend their efforts of portraying the message of diversity, equity and inclusivity. While virtually tuning into performances all school year long, lovers of the arts have been presented more opportunities to gain a deeper sense of understanding and education through the acts that the department has showcased.
In March, Matt Davis, an assistant professor and the head of directing and stage management, chose the Greek tragedy “Antigone” for the cast. He not only chose this piece because Greek tragedies allow for safe protocol since most scenes only need two to three actors, but because of the many themes that can be interpreted throughout.
Jaylin Martin, student of UA’s Theatre and Dance Department, dances in front of Denny Chimes, Tuscaloosa, AL, February 28, 2021.
One of the themes surrounds the idea of choosing between siding with civic law or family lineage. This is evident through the leading role Antigone, who must choose between honoring her brother with a proper burial or obeying the political leader of her city who denies her brother of honor due to his past treasonous decisions.
Similarly, in today’s society, Black people are faced with staying quiet in the midst of brutality or speaking out to honor their lineage and fight against systemic racism.
“We are seeing so many individuals speak out with the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in support of Black Lives Matter,” Davis said.
This stood out to him as a crucial message that he wanted to spread to audience members through his production this season.
As the curtains separated and the lights were cued, audience members set their sight on a souther-style porch at the break of dawn on an Alabama morning. Although it was not spelled out, it was apparent through design elements that “Antigone” was set in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to further relate the Greek tragedy to the injustices suffered from the Black communities over the decades.
Davis also paid close attention to the music that accompanied these visuals. He worked closely with the sound designer to choose music that was written by Black artists in the 60s and eventually appropriated by white artists. Nearly every aspect of this production had little details throughout to honor Black heritage.
Christine Thompson, a UA junior double majoring in theater and political science cast as Antigone, said she sees a lot of herself in Antigone since she has felt this internal struggle of choosing what is worth standing up for as a Black woman herself.
Thompson revealed how the Black women of the cast sat together to talk about their own experiences with racial issues hoping to find their deep passions and reasons for performing in a piece like “Antigone.”
“Something I shared was that my late father actually marched in the Civil Rights Movement. That wasn’t something I always channeled going in, but as me, Christine, I have always felt a bit of a responsibility to continue what she left behind, and I feel that through Antigone,” Thompson said.
Although it is important to recognize this timely piece, “Antigone” is not the only production that UA’s Department of Theatre and Dance has displayed that has highlighted the continued injustices against Black people.
In October 2020, the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre (ARDT) showcased a dance called “Say Her Name…Too.”
Lawrence Jackson, a UA associate professor and ARDT’s artistic director, created this dance piece to emphasize the importance behind the Black Lives Matter movement and illustrate the brutality and deaths of Breonna Taylor, Natasha McKenna, Sandra Bland, Atatianna Jefferson and Michelle Cusseaux, who died at the hands of law enforcement.
In the southern state of Alabama that was once a big part of the confederacy and against integration, UA Department of Theatre and Dance faculty members have recognized the importance behind promoting social, economic and environmental justice for all people. Along with the faculty, students are happy to spread this message as well.
“As an African American female, I’m mindful of the injustices I face still today because of the color of my skin. We hope the audience was moved to counteract violence by creating space for imagination and innovation for people of color,” said Jaylin Martin, a sophomore dancer.
In the southern state of Alabama that was once a big part of the confederacy and against integration, UA Department of Theatre and Dance faculty members have recognized the importance behind promoting social, economic and environmental justice for all people. Along with the faculty, students are happy to spread this message as well.
“As an African American female, I’m mindful of the injustices I face still today because of the color of my skin. We hope the audience was moved to counteract violence by creating space for imagination and innovation for people of color,” said Jaylin Martin, a sophomore dancer.
Jaylin Martin, student of UA’s Theatre and Dance Department, poses in front of Denny Chimes, Tuscaloosa, AL, February 28, 2021.
Jaylin Martin, student of UA’s Theatre and Dance Department, dances in front of Denny Chimes, Tuscaloosa, AL, February 28, 2021.
Martin also emphasized the important message that Jackson relayed to the dancers which was to know who they are, value who they are and to always stand up for what is right.
Not only is it important for UA’s Theatre and Dance to continue to perform virtually to fulfill the needs of the creative and talented students, but it is imperative that they continue to communicate these important messages.
Through recognition, awareness and artistic creativity, powerful pieces like “Antigone” and “Say Her Name…Too” have one goal in mind creating a dialogue about the abuses of systemic racism.
The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of the many facets at UA that is making efforts to end the cycle of injustices against Black people and any other minority groups to build a campus, and ultimately a world, of complete diversity, equity and inclusion.
