PR2012 Sep 13

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA PRESENTS SOUTHERN SEASON‐OPENER: THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

September 13, 2012 (TUSCALOOSA, AL) – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present The Dixie Swim Club by Jessie Jones, Nicholas

Hope and Jamie Wooten October 5‐14 in the Bean‐Brown Theatre on Shelton State’s Martin Campus. This hilarious and

touching comedy tells a story of strength, love and the enduring power of friendship.

From the authors of Christmas Belles and Dearly Departed, The Dixie Swim Club introduces audiences to five Southern

women who began their friendship many years ago while on their college swim team, and have since then set aside a

long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, the five meet at the

same beach cottage on North Carolina's outer banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. Through the

years– the play spans from 1979 to present day– these women increasingly rely on one another to get through the

challenges life flings their way.

This production of The Dixie Swim Club will be the first show directed by Theatre Tuscaloosa’s Managing Director, Adam

Miller.

“I am so excited to be making my directorial debut,” Miller said. “It’s an honor to be able to serve Theatre Tuscaloosa in

this capacity.”

As a new director, Miller said he is thankful to be working with what he deems the Theatre Tuscaloosa ‘Home Team.’

“For this production, I have the pleasure of working with our fabulous resident costumer Jeanette Waterman, and our

go‐to lighting design expert Erin Hisey. We are also fortunate to have Andy Fitch from The University of Alabama

designing our set, and our own Jerrell Bowden in charge of sound design,” Miller said. “Not to mention how grateful I

am for the hard work of Wheeler Kincaid and our shop crew who are literally building the show.”

The cast of The Dixie Swim Club is made up of Theatre Tuscaloosa favorites Jenny Ryan (Sheree Hollinger), Louise Manos

(Dinah Grayson), Lauren Wilson (Lexie Richards) and Tina Turley (Vernadette Simms), along with Theatre Tuscaloosa

newcomer Dianna Shaw (Jeri Neal McFeeley).

“There’s an old theater adage that says ‘directing is 90 percent casting;’ I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment,”

Miller said. “Rehearsals are a hoot. These women bring so much to the table and have great comedic timing; they are

constantly building upon a script that is already hilarious and really taking this production to the next level.”

Tina Turley, Theatre Tuscaloosa Executive Producer and director, said she is thoroughly enjoying her time on the 'other

side' of the process.

"Even though I started out as an actor, I rarely read a script and think 'oh, I'd like to play that part,'” Turley said. "My

perspective is usually as a director or producer more than as an actor. However, I believe directors who can act should

occasionally get back on stage."

As far as breaking the habit of directing, Turley said she's doing her best.

"Adam is doing a good job of leading us and I try to stay out of his way," Turley said. "He has a good disposition,

excellent training and the life experience to make the transition into directing –I think he's enjoying it too. As for me, it is

just downright fun getting to play with all these other great ladies every night."

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2012‐13 Season: Rockin’ & Rollin’ in the Aisles is presented in cooperation with Shelton State

Community College and is sponsored by Jamison Money Farmer and AL.com. Additional sponsors include Mercedes

Benz, TownSquare Media, and f8 productions.

The Dixie Swim Club will be presented October 5‐14 in the Bean‐Brown Theatre on Shelton State Community College’s

Martin Campus, 9500 Old Greensboro Road. Performances will take place Thursdays‐Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and

Sundays and Wednesday at 2pm. All proceeds of a pay‐what‐you‐can final dress rehearsal on Thursday, October 5, at

7:30 p.m., will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Tickets to the regular performances are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+), and $12 for students and children. Special

rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Season subscriptions, which can save patrons 15 percent on single ticket

purchases, are still available for a limited time.

For more information about the 2012‐13 season or to purchase tickets go online to www.theatretusc.com or call 205.

391.2277.

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Media Note: If you would like to arrange to cover a performance of The Dixie Swim Club, a limited number of

complimentary press passes are available. Contact Adam Miller at 205.391.2277 to make arrangements.

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a not‐for‐profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community

College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1972 through quality theatrical

productions and educational outreach.