January 26, 2011

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Be the star of your own prom when UAB's Alys Stephens Center presents "Awesome '80s Prom," a popular off-Broadway, interactive dance party with performances happening nightly April 28-30, 2011. Open casting for the show has just been announced, and the search is on for local actors who can portray many of the show's characters, including the jock, bad boy, class president, mean principal, nerds, foreign exchange students, cheerleaders and others. Dancers without acting experience but with fun personalities are encouraged to audition.

Celebrity impersonators from the 1980s also are needed. A DJ will be selected - a perfect role for karaoke hosts, stand-up comedians or anyone with energy who can keep the crowd dancing.

Auditions will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 at the center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Call backs will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. The national touring director for "Awesome '80s Prom" will be present. Interested actors should prepare a brief monologue, preferably from an '80s movie, and bring a headshot and resume. To schedule an audition, e-mail your name, cell phone number and the role for which you hope to audition to the Alys Stephens Center's Artist Coordinator Eric Essix at eessix@uab.edu.

Winner of the 2006 Improv Theatre Award for Best Interactive Show, "Awesome '80s Prom" is a rad, blast-from-the-past party, set at Wanaget High School's Senior Prom in 1989 in the tradition of "Tony n' Tina's Wedding."

The Alys Stephens Center will present four performances of "Awesome '80s Prom" at 7 p.m. each night April 28, 29 and 30 and again at 10 p.m. April 30. Everyone attending is encouraged to dress the part in their '80s prom best. The audience will decide who wins prom king and queen. Tickets are $88 King/Queen (reserved seating), $58 Prince/Princess and $38 Honor Court. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org.

About UAB's Alys Stephens Center

The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, presenting the world's best artists in music, dance, theatre, comedy, film and family entertainment. The ASC's mission is to be a place where the entire community experiences and engages in the arts. The ASC is home to ArtPlay, a new arts education center, UAB departments of Theatre and Music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.