Birmingham, Montevallo, University of Montevallo Theatre Department — Inside the Center for the Arts. Photo via University of Montevallo Theatre Department’s Facebook page

COVID has hit the theatre world hard, but as the saying goes, the show must go on. Check out The University of Montevallo’s exciting new addition—a brand-new Center for the Arts facility.

The facility, which spans 36,750 square feet, will be home to the university’s Theatre Department, which has over 115 majors, including Acting, Musical Theatre and Design/Technology. You can find it at the intersection of Oak Street and North Boundary Street.

Prepare to be wowed. Here’s what the new center features:

2 performance venues
Art gallery
Digital Fabrication Lab
Design labs with animation software
Multiple classrooms
Theatre faculty offices
Vocal performance rehearsal rooms
Dance studio
State-of-the-art production shops
Sculpture garden
Outdoor commons area
Adjacent ground-level parking

Wowee! Where was this incredible center when I was a University of Montevallo student?!

Safety Precautions for Students

Opening the performing arts center in the midst of COVID-19 was no easy task, but the University was able to make it happen—with some adaptations, of course. Here are some safety precautions they’ve taken:

Increased hand sanitizer stations.
Rearranged lobby furniture to create a space that is more open and safe.
Designed courses to incorporate online learning options and hybrid in-person/online options.
Classrooms and work spaces are cleaned and sanitized between use.

In-Person Productions and Performances

In regards to in-person productions and performances at the Center for the Arts, shows are currently on hold until the threat of COVID-19 subsides.

But don’t worry, the Theatre Department has some plans ahead. Here are two things to expect this fall:

Virtual guest artist workshops with professional set and costume designers, actors and casting directors for students.
Outdoor, staged play readings.

Looking ahead to the spring semester, the Theatre Department has plans to present two productions—one musical and one play. Both will be on-stage productions and will instill safety guidelines.