Calendar
Visit our events calendar to find out about upcoming events.
Regular Events
Alabama Shakespeare Project
The Alabama Shakespeare Project (ASP) is a performance-based research collective exploring early modern entertainments. To sponsor this work, they (a) stage free readings of the plays by William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, performed by University of Alabama undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and community members; (b) facilitate performance-based research projects and experiments led by graduate students and faculty in the Hudson Strode Program in Renaissance Studies; and (c) collaborate with art-makers and scholars in the American southeast in conditions digital and live. Graduate students gain professional experience as production dramaturgs and research assistants. ASP welcomes performers from all backgrounds, identities, and communities; no previous experience is required.
Biennial Symposium
The department holds a biennial symposium focused on literature, race, ethnicity, and other topics. Each symposium features a variety of distinguished guests — writers, professors, journalists, and others well recognized in their fields — who speak and lead discussions during the course of the three-day event.
Coal Royalty and Bankhead Visiting Writers Series
Every semester the Coal Royalty and Bankhead Visiting Writers Series bring established and emerging writers to campus for readings and workshops with students. Readers for the 2019-2020 season included Lynda Barry, Kelly Link, Danez Smith , Tyehimba Jess, Alexander Chee, Tessa Fontaine, and Jessica Lee Richardson.
MFA Reading Series
Another regular event is the MFA Reading Series, where graduate students in the creative writing program present their work to their peers and professors throughout the year.
Pure Products Reading & Lecture Series
Hosted by UA English instructors, Pure Products brings together writers and artists from the University community for bi-monthly readings and open mic nights. Visit the Pure Products Facebook page for information about upcoming events.
The Rude Mechanicals
The Rude Mechanicals, Tuscaloosa’s free Shakespeare in the park company, is a local group of amateurs consisting of UA faculty, staff, former students, and current graduate and undergraduate students, as well as local actors. The Rude Mechanicals’ Facebook page offers information about upcoming and past events.
Strode Program Events
The Strode Program hosts a variety of events, including symposia, workshops, conferences, and lectures by both established and emerging scholars. Students are afforded the opportunity to meet informally with guest speakers, discuss works in progress, as well as attend and respond to formal presentations. The program also hosts the Shakespeare Film Series at the historic Bama Theatre.