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Department of Communication and Theatre
Students in Communication and Theatre find many opportunities to put their developing skills into action, create network connections, and learn industry standards through professional internships, conference presentations, practicums, publications, and productions.
The AUM Communication Program Helped Me Find My Career Passion.
Helped Me Find My Career Passion
Hall of Fame
Mike Winkelman
AUM Ida Belle Young Distinguished Research and Distinguished Teaching Professor, Mike Winkelman (right) was the 2022 inductee into the Alabama Conference of Theatre Hall of Fame honoring pioneers in Alabama theatre as presented by Jeff Glass, current President of ACT and 2004 graduate of AUM, BA English. The award ceremony was held at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival as part of the annual ACT Summit on Saturday, August 20. Several AUM alumni from various departments were on hand, either in person or virtually, to offer their gratitude for their experiential academic opportunities and congratulations on this well deserved honor.
ACT is a premiere resource in Alabama to improve, encourage, create, train, network, promote, and maintain theatre through their five divisions: Theatre for Youth, Secondary, College/University, Community, and Professional. ACT holds theatre festivals and provides other resources to theatre artists throughout Alabama and beyond.
Award Recipients
AUM recently participated in the Regional level Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
The festival represents Colleges and Universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands, and Virginia.
We are extremely proud to announce that these AUM students were recognized:
| Award Recipient | Award |
|---|---|
| Tikyra Caldwell | Regional First Place Theatre Design and Technology |
| Tabitha Neyerlin | National Runner Up Dramaturgy |
| Tabitha Neyerlin | Special Recognition for Best Program Note |
| Yahzane Palmer | Honorable Mention Costume Design |
| Jalan Pedonesi | Stage Management Team Awards Gala |
Students also participated in Stage Management and Performance events. They were able to present their research and creative works, receive external feedback and experiential opportunities, audition, interview, attend round table conversations, performances, showcases, new play readings, masterclasses in every discipline, and network with other students and guest artists.
Department Programs
Department Laboratories
Student Faculty Interviews
Department of Communication and Theatre
Katherine Irwin
Lecturer | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Also holds the title of The AUM Community News Service Audio Instructor.
Matthew Killmeier
Department Chair; Associate Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Faith Roberts
Administrative Associate Theatre Operations | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Neil Seibel
Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Neil David Seibel is a Kentucky native who now calls Alabama home. He is a proud member of Actors Equity with directing and acting credits at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Mill Mountain Theatre in Virginia, Denver Center Theatre Company, Theatre Aspen, Arvada Center, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Alley Theatre in Houston, Theatre Under The Stars, Actors Theatre of Louisville, at En Garde Arts Off Broadway and HERE in NYC. For PBS, he originated the role of Lewis in the TV musical PASSAGES: LEWIS AND CLARK. As a playwright, he has developed several solo and ensemble works with productions throughout the United States and Europe. As an educator he is a frequent invited instructor and often summers with the MFA Playwrights Lab at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. He earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Drama from the University of California, Irvine and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Northern Kentucky University. Seibel designed the performance curriculum at Auburn University Montgomery and has taught classes in acting, voice and movement since 2008.
Val Winkelman
Professor | College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Val Winkelman is an Auburn University at Montgomery Distinguished Research and Honors Professor and received the Alumni Association Award for outstanding service. She is one of the campus advisors for Omicron Delta Kappa. She has directed or designed over 200 plays, musicals, or ballets. She is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and is a Past Fellow of the International Council of Fine Arts. She has been a Distinguished Guest for the Texas Educational Theatre Association. She has been serving as the Production Manager and as one of the Costume Designers for over 30 seasons at the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Val is the National Vice-Chair for Design, Technology, and Management for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and named a Distinguished Alumna of the University of North Texas where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Advising for the following
- All students majoring in Communication with a Theatre concentration
