Performance Spaces at UM

We use three very different theatre spaces on campus to provide students with a variety of acting, directing and design challenges.

Reynolds Studio Theatre

Reynolds Studio Theatre is located in historic Reynolds Hall. The facility was renovated in fall 2004 and we continue to make upgrades. The majority of our main stage shows are produced in this flexible, 160 seat studio theatre space. Past UM productions in Reynolds include the Alabama premieres of SIDE SHOW and DEAD CITY; contemporary plays such as TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY; classics such as Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL, Shakespeare’s MACBETH, Euripides’ THE BACCHAE, and Shaw’s HEARTBREAK HOUSE; as well as musicals like Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST 5 YEARS, HAIR, BABY, SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, PIPPIN and Jonathan Larson’s RENT in Fall 2012.

The Chichester Black Box Theatre

The Chichester Black Box Theatre: Commonly referred to as the "Chi Box," this popular space is used to stage a wide variety of plays and musicals in different configurations. The Chi-Box is used for B.F.A. Senior project productions; the annual Directing III class Spring Theatre Festival and WCC New Play Festival projects; independent faculty and student projects; and on occasion fully designed main stage productions!  Chi-Box productions usually sell out quickly and its intimate setting (approximately 50 seats) provides excellent training for students interested in theatre careers in major urban centers such as New York and Chicago.

Past Chi-Box productions include Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART, Jason Robert Brown's musical SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, Yasmina Reza’s ART and the Alabama premiere of Neil Labute’s FAT PIG.  More recent productions include Brian Friel’s Irish monologue drama MOLLY SWEENEY, Moises Kaufman’s THE LARAMIE PROJECT, Alan Ball’s FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS; Susan Lori-Parks’ TOPDOG, UNDERDOG; Sarah Ruhl’s EURYDICE; the Alabama premiere of Carlos Murillo’s DARK PLAY; and the off-Broadway musical hit TITLE OF SHOW.

Palmer Theatre

Palmer Theatre is a 1200 seat, balcony proscenium auditorium with a fly system and large orchestra pit. UM Theatre has typically produced musicals in Palmer such as CABARET, GODSPELL, the Alabama premiere of A CLASS ACT and Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY in spring 2008.  Palmer's computerized light board and wireless sound system have been upgraded recently and the university's annual College Night original homecoming musicals are performed here.