Theatre Resources in Birmingham, Alabama

Andrew Gainey Fine Arts Fund, Inc.: This 501(c)3 benevolent organization was recently formed to honor the memory of Andrew Gainey, one the great men of the Birmingham Theater community and for whom CenterStage Productions gives an annual humanitarian award. Money for community service will be raised through various activities; e.g., a special concert series, a golf tournament with a musical flair. When monies have been raised for a number of tuitions, they plan to hold auditions with students who need help. The Fund will work through the private teaching sector for youth in need.  Any private teaching facility, or teacher in any arts discipline, may solicit help for their students. Please visit The Fund’s website, currently under construction, www.AGFineArtsFund.org. The board of directors includes Steve Pennington, President, Executive Director and Founder, Shane Burroughs, Vice-President Media Relations and Spokesperson, Terrance F. James, Vice-President Fine Arts Liaison, Allen Dittenhoefer, PhD, Senior Vice-President Corporate Relations, Melissa B. Croxton, Esq., Secretary and Agent of Record, Morris Tipton (Tip) Crow, Treasurer, and Dr. Benjamin Middaugh; University of Montevallo.

 

BATA Resource Database:   The Birmingham Area Theatre Alliance (BATA) announces the compilation of the first ever Production Resource database for its member organizations. The catalog will include the names and contact information for theatre students, volunteers, and professionals in the metropolitan area who qualify for non-acting production work.

     Anyone who is interested in paying or volunteer theatre positions in piano accompaniment, box office, choreography, company management, costume design, costume construction, dialect coaching, direction, electrics, fight choreography, follow spot operation, grant writing, house management, light board operation, lighting design, makeup and wigs, musical direction, pit musician, properties, PR/ marketing, puppetry, running crew, secretarial/ office work, set construction, set design, sound board operation, sound design, stage management or assistant stage management, or technical direction should immediately contact Dane Peterson to submit information to be distributed to BATA theatres. A copy of the Production Resources Form may be obtained from the contact below.

     With the Production Resources database project, BATA continues to encourage community-wide sharing of information, inspiration, and other resources as well as working to help local audiences have a greater appreciation of theatre in general -- and of theatre in Birmingham in particular -- with the hope that theatre-goers will have the best experiences possible. The deadline for response is May 27, 2005.

For more information call Dane Peterson at 940-2400, ext. 136 or e-mail to dp@dptheatreseries.org.

 

 

Accompaniment Tapes/CDs:    Mark Allen. 290-0629  mdallen@samford.edu   Student at Samford who does CD and midi keyboard arrangements for accompaniment.  Recommended by Samford faculty.

 

 

Accompaniment Tapes/CDs:    David McNeeley.  Highly recommended from more than one source.  His home phone is 655-5888. The tapes that he makes are full orchestra but are digitally mastered.  See  http://www.mcneeleyonline.com . 

 

 

Accompaniment Tapes/CDs:    Ray Reach. UAB Music Department.  Reportedly not cheap.

 

 

Acting Coach:  Professional Acting Coaching.  Trying to get into grad school?  Looking for the right audition monologue?  Moving to LA? We can help you polish an existing piece, or, in just 5 sessions, help you find and develop a monologue that you can use in auditions for years to come – classical or contemporary.  We offer a personalized approach designed to bring out an actor’s unique isms (or "essence").  We can also talk turkey about the business – from audition techniques to how to get an agent. Reasonable rates.  For more info: (205) 541-8449.

     Mary Brezovich, Birmingham native and theater director, has extensive experience in audition coaching and monologue preparation in New York, LA and Europe. Casting credits include I Am Sam (with Michelle Pfeiffer), Frailty (with Bill Paxton & Matthew McConaughey), Clockstoppers, and Tuck Everlasting.  She was a producer on Chance (starring Amber Benson) which won the 2002 Audience Award at Sidewalk Film Festival.  She has also been on the selection committee at Sidewalk and served as panel chair on Acting for the Camera. This year she was an acting instructor at Schauspielschule-Sachers, a drama school in Innsbruck, Austria.

     Jeff Ricketts is a League-trained professional actor with 20 years experience. Theater credits include: Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Stages – St. Louis, La Mama ETC (NYC), Institute for Contemporary Art (London), Tramway (Scotland).  Film and Television credits include: NYPD Blue, Drew Carey, CSI, Without a Trace, Star Trek: Enterprise, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed, 24, Clockstoppers, Holes, and Chance.  He has taught an intensive on-camera acting lab for Sidewalk and is a long-standing member of Actor’s Equity, SAG and AFTRA.

 

 

Actor:  James E. Bullard is enjoying his career as a professional actor.  His roles include Peter in BCT's The Diary of Anne Frank and a singer and tapping Santa in SouthTrust's Holiday Magic. You can see James next as Peter in BCT/ASO's production of Peter and the Wolf.  Credits include entertaining on the Mediterranean for Costa Cruise Lines with Peter Grey Terhune Presents, doing Broadway revue and international entertainment shows.  The ships toured Italy, Africa, France and Spain;  The Crystal Palace in  Aspen, CO, doing a cabaret revue of political and social satire numbers including "Lesbian Madness," "Here Come de Taliban," and "The Bill Clinton Talk Show";   Paramount Productions' "Scooby's Magical Christmas," in Puerto Rico, in Spanish. Look for him in additional Paramount Productions and at The Crystal Palace, where he already has addition gigs lined up.

 

 

Audio Designer:   Audio Designer: Michael Donahue is an award wining sound designer. Services include audio restoration, underscoring, computer based composition, production of rehearsal CD’s, audio editing, etc. Affordable hourly rates or flat show rates, for more information contact Michael Donahue at donahuemt@gmail.com.

 

 

Cast Party Cakes: Specialty cakes for cast parties, opening night, etc. are available with your show's logo, the name of the show, or anything else you may like!  For samples of my work, please visit: http://community.webshots.com/user/kelliesandrik   I am able to decorate in any way you like and can work with you to come up with a special design as well.  Please call Kellie (The Cake Lady) at 253-1447.

 

Cathi Larsen Agency: All ages for television commercials and movies. Work in Nashville, Atlanta, and Alabama since 1985. Talented people of all ages, including children. Cathi Larsen; Cathi Larsen Agency; 1675 Montclair Road, Suite 136; Birmingham,  AL  35210; The Eastwood Building across from Eastwood Mall; 205-951-2445 for an audition. http://www.cathilarsenagency.com/

 

 

Choreographer/Private Lessons:   Melissa Bailey has performed and choreographed for any professional and local theatre and dance organizations, including Summerfest, Town & Gown, and Theatre LJCC. She is a graduate of ASFA and UAB,  currently teaches at Exclusively Ballet, and is available for choreography and private dance lessons. She can be contacted at 790-1820 or melissa_d_bailey@papajohns.com

 

 

Choreographer/Private Lessons:   Rio Cordy Barlow is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London, 
danced professionally in Miami, New York, England and Alabama and is a former Ballet Mistress of the Alabama School of Fine Arts.  She has done choreography for many local theater groups.  She is available for Ballet, Folk and Character dance instruction or choreography.  She can be contacted at barlowacad@mindspring.com

 

 

Choreographer/Private Lessons:   Kerrie Denise Benson.  Professional choreographer experience. Birmingham Showsteeler Dance Team Choreographer.  Exclusively Ballet, Instructor - Choreographer, and others Contact: 721 Ridge Way Circle;  Hoover, Alabama  35226.    EXZTA@msn.com

 

 

Choreographer/Private Lessons:   Rebecca Morris.  Over 5 years teaching and choreography experience in the community.  Trained at Birmingham-Southern College in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Character, Choreography.  Additional training in New York City. Works well with children.  (205) 527-8832 or Rebecca.m.morris@gmail.com . 

 

 

DANCE TECHNIQUE, PRIVATE COACH, CHOREOGRAPHER:  Stevan Grebel, The Stevan Grebel Center for Dance, Indian Springs/Oak Mountain area.  Dance technique for dancers in ballet, jazz, modern, performance/competion.  Ongoing clases and private instruction.  Studio rental space.  Contact:  205-987-7234 or 205-602-5639, http://www.grebeldance.com/.

 

 

Director:   Donald T. Sandley.  When time permits.  Ph.D. in theatre from LSU. Studied and taught in London and been apart of over one hundred theatre productions as a director, actor or producer. Birmingham work includes multiple productions at Samford, Othello for the Garden Variety and acting for the Gambler's theatre. At present putting together a production of The Big Kahuna (stage play title Hospitality Suite) for the Summer.

 

 

Director:   Michael R. Bridges, director of theatre at Our Lady of the Valley School, is an experienced director of and actor in musicals and plays at the community, school, and professional level, having been involved with over 50 productions in the Birmingham, Montgomery, and Auburn areas.  He is especially effective with young people ages 6 and up (through high school and college) in directing and conducting theatre workshops.  Michael also has experience in artistic direction and stage management for large and small special events.  Fees are negotiable and tend to be comparably very reasonable.  He can be reached at (205)995-9375 or mbridges6231@charter.net.

 

 

Director, Neophyte:   Neophyte Director,   Kent Skates.  Upon completion of his theatre degree at UAB, Kent embarked on an adventure to the City of Angels where he continued his work in stage and film.  After being away a few years, he has brought his "real-world" experience, along with a wife and new baby, back to Birmingham.  He looks forward to easing back into the ever-growing scene here in town and rekindling old friendships.  Much appreciation is sent to his theatre professor's at UAB -- Ward Haarbauer, Ron Hubbard, Will York, Dennis McLernon, Cheryl Hall, and also to Dr. Rebecca Bach, his English professor who taught him more about Shakespeare than he could have possibly imagined.  His acting and directing credits are available upon request at KentSkates@aol.com.   

 

 

Director/Vocal Instructor:   Frank Thompson, local performer/director is available for private voice lessons and direction of musicals and plays. His lesson fee is $30.00 per half-hour, and director's fees are negotiated on a project-by-project basis. Frank has directed for many groups across the Southeast, including Canebrake Players, WellWater Productions, Theatre LJCC and The Lost Colony Professional Theatre Workshop. He studied voice with Andrew Gainey and David O'Steen, and has performed professionally with theatre companies in New York, Virginia, and North Carolina. He can be reached at 276-0113 or centrestage@webtv.net

 

 

Designer/Fight Choreographer:   R. Daniel Walker is a professional light designer having designed at SART in Marrs Hill, NC and locally for LJCC, BFT, and other small projects. He currently holds the position of Production Specialist at the Hoover Library Theatre for the past 4 years. His combat training includes: Rapier & Dagger, Broadsword, Quarterstaff, Un-Armed, Guns, Small sword, and some Katana (Japanese Sword Style). Contact Info: Cell: 205-563-6326, mailto:tekcy19@yahoo.com

 

 

Personal DVDs and Headshots:   Our typical Headshot session is $350.00 which includes 3-5 changes of clothes & backgrounds and 3 DVDs set to music of photographs. Actual photos may be viewed on our website for 2 weeks after the session for final selection. One 8x10 is $25.00 but we do offer publicity 8x10s for as low as .70 cents each based on volume.    Our web address is www.dwphoto.biz  For more information contact Kandy Casey, Daniel Warden Photographic Arts,  (205)237-7490. 117 1st Ave E. Oneonta, AL 35121

 

 

Neophyte Director:   Kent Skates.  In the latter stages of a degree in theatre at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.  Most interested in acting and directing, while flirting with singing, writing, and stage management.  Some of his favorite roles are:  Peter, in Peter and the Wolf, with BCT/ASO;  Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace; and numerous roles in Shakespearean plays, mostly with Garden Variety.

 

 

Photographer for Performances/Rehearsal:  Steven Ross will take candid phots during dress rehearsal.  Links to his work:  PHOTOS.YAHOO.COM/SPROSS and PHOTOS.YAHOO.COM/MOZART_LJCC   Contact  him at (205) 822-5532 or  sross3434@charter.net

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: Ralph Anderson.  ~$250 for full-body modeling shots etc. Probably less for head shots.

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: David Elder at director and Head of the Theater Department at Jefferson State Community College. Does private shootings for a reasonable price. Should be able to contact him through Jeff State Theater.

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: Beau Gustafson.  His studio in town is called Big Swede Photography.

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: C. Gregory Jeane.  His phone number is 933-8100.  Affordable.

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: Photographer-Headshots, Body Shots. P. Steven Williamson  www.pstevenwilliamson.com

Providing excellent Headshots for reasonable prices. See website for details, pricing and examples. Using a quality Nikon Digital SLR, Epson Photo Printer and High Quality Epson Photo Paper, I can handle Emergency Rush Jobs as well as Non-Rush jobs. Pricing is competitive and the quality can be seen at my website.

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: Deborah Thornhill.  "She is listed in the phone book, and she will give you a picture that looks like you, but is you at your best.  You can keep the same picture for about three years if you do not change your hairstyle or any other significant aspect of your appearance.  If anything major changes, you must get a new shot.  I recommend getting pictures in a quantity of 100 at a time.  I used to use Quaker photo in Philadelphia, but I bet there are some places in Atlanta which are good.  If you are going to do a mass-mail-out campaign, then you might want to get 500 copies - but there are two problems with that:  one is maintaining good quality of the reproductions, and the other is that here in Bham it's not likely that you would need that many before your look changes.  You could always paper your bathroom with the extras."  Another source:  "She is expensive, but good. I want to say 200 to 250 for a sitting.  Then 8x10 photos are like 25 each.  I did was get a sitting, bought 2 prints from her and then ordered a 1000 pics from ABC pictures in Missouri."  and "About $ 200 for a setting and $ 25/photo.  They are great and so is she.  She will take a lot of shots and help you decide.  She's in the Dr. Pepper center."

 

 

Photographer for Headshots: Ted Tucker.  Head shots, probably ~$100-150.  Also does full-body shots.

 

 

Pianist:  Pianist, Vocalist, Arranger, Musical Director, Cabaret Entertainer, Gospel Concert Artist.  Michael King has appeared with such luminaries as Eartha Kitt, Jennifer Holiday, Sam Harris and the Glen Miller Orchestra; the pianist and baritone extraordinaire was South Florida's 1993 Entertainer of the Year. For extensive bios on King visit http://www.michaelkingonline.com/

 

Pianist:  Pianist, accompanist, music producer who worked in this capacity for Andrew Gainey and James Hatcher over the last 35 years is still available for work in the Birmingham area. As an accomplished sight reader Steve is available for last minute/fill in work. Steve has been accompanying for musicals since 1968 and has worked as musical director for shows with local theater companies. He can be reached at Mrpiano24@aol.com or through www.stevepennington.com.

 

Prints of Headshots:  ABC Pictures, 1867 E. Florida St., Springfield, MO  65803-4583.  Telephone (417) 869-3456.   http://www.abcpictures.com    Something like $85 for 500 prints.  You get more pictures than you need, want, or will ever use!

 

 

Prints of Headshots:  Custom Photo.

 

Seasoned Performers Offerings:  The new Seasoned Performers comedy, Overlooking Magic by local writer Ellise Mayor, is available for booking for groups of all ages Monday through Thursday mornings in April and May and again in October and November 2006.  Performance fees for the 40-minute touring play are $75 in Jefferson County and $100 plus mileage in nearby counties. Readings from the performers are also available for touring in Jefferson County Monday through Friday mornings or afternoons. Reading selections include comedy, local histories, short plays or children’s stories. Performance fees are $45.  The Seasoned Performers is Alabama’s only touring senior adult theatre and is celebrating its 23rd season. For more information or to book a performance, call 205-978-5095, write The Seasoned Performers, 701 Montgomery Highway, Suite 204, Birmingham, AL 35216 or check the website at http://www.seasonedperformers.org  or email Martha Haarbauer at mailto:martha@seasonedperformers.org .

 

 

Venue:  The Moonlight Music Cafe in Vestavia--- we have hosted primarily troubadours and small musical groups, mostly acoustic in nature, but on occasion have branched out to include other types of entertainment, some of it theatrical.  The room does a fine job as a place to present cabaret and small theatre events. We welcome the inquiries of anyone who wants to explore the possibilities of using it for that. We have seventy house chairs, all placed cafe-style at tables and counters, a first-class in-house sound system, a safe and convenient location, and plenty of free front-door parking. For more info, you can go to our website----   www.moonlightmusiccafe.com  keith harrelson  205-822-1400

 

 

Video Production:   We can produce professional videos, video clips for recitals, modeling agencies, commercial work, and plays. Cahaba Moon Productions 205-405-7052 or 877.866.7701  Email: video@cahabamoon.com  Website: www.cahabamoon.com

 

Vocal Coach:  Cabaret Entertainer, Soprano, Producer/Director and Vocal Coach.  Soprano Diane McNaron has appeared in the media of Cabaret, Recital, Opera and Oratorio throughout the US and in Italy, Austria, Germany and Australia.  She is one of the few performers of authentic Cabaret music in the US. For extensive bio on McNaron visit http://members.aol.com/dianemcnaron/myhomepage/business.html 

 

Vocal Coach:  Vocal Coach specializing in theatrical "belt/pop" speech level style of commercial vocals. Steve Pennington is full time in this business for the last 16 years. Teaches in Irondale and Forestdale. Students are utilized in many special performances and productions through the year from Festivals, Showcases, Competitions and Musicals.  Thirty minute private lessons in after school program is $85 per month. There is a ten week summer program offered in Irondale on Monday and Tuesday for $250.00. Students perform regularly in New York, Nashville, Atlanta and Branson!  Midsouth Fair auditions  in May are also part of the program.  Steve also locates originals songs and produces adult contemporary and country crossover in Nashville as part of his artist development work. http://www.showstopperspromotions.com  or write to Showstopperspro@aol.com

 

Voice Teacher:   Heather Batey is a voice teacher based in Pelham with over 12 years of teaching experience, both in the public school classroom and the private studio.  She offers private voice (and piano) lessons, with an emphasis on good singing technique and vocal skills that can be applied to a variety of genres.  Specialties include Broadway and classical styles, and she works with students age 6-7 through adults.  Please visit   www.heatherbatey.com for information about her educational and teaching / performing background ("About me").  There is also a good bit of information about lessons on the site. 

 

 

These pages are dedicated to the promotion of live theatre that uses local Birmingham talent.  If this site helps you make an audition or a performance, please mention it to some producer or director.  If this helps Birmingham live theatre, they need to know so that they will keep us informed.  If you would like to be added to our mailing list, have an addition or comment, drop a line to  mailto:theatre@eBHM.org

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