Alabama State University News September 7, 2012 Kennedy Center Officials to Attend Encore Performance of ASU's 'Crowns' Kennedy Center representatives will attend an encore performance of ASU's gospel musical, "Crowns," to consider the show for inclusion in the Center's regional festival. The Department of Theatre Arts at Alabama State University will perform before a group of special guests during an encore presentation of Regina Taylor's gospel musical, "Crowns." The encore performance, which will take place at 7 p.m. nightly from Sept. 27 to 29 in ASU's Leila Barlow Theatre, will be adjudicated by representatives of the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The officials will consider the play for a possible presentation at the Regional Kennedy Center American College Festival in February 2013 in Daytona, Fla. "This powerful gospel musical is back by popular demand after playing to overflowing audiences in the spring," said Dr. Wendy Coleman, Theatre Department chair and director of the show. "We're more than pleased to have the adjudicators come. It's our practice to nominate all of our shows, and 'Crowns' is certainly ready to be considered." The musical was birthed out of the fascinating photo-bibliography created by photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry, which shares the stories of women of all ages who wear and love church hats. "Crowns" is the heartwarming story of a young girl, Yolanda, who struggles to find meaning in life after her brother is tragically taken away from her by street violence. After his death, she is sent "down South" to live with her grandmother, which she thinks is a punishment. There, she is embraced by a circle of women who - with the grace and style displayed by their "Crowns" or church hats - share powerful, life-changing stories and help her understand her identity, her place in the world and in her own culture. Audiences will be moved, encouraged, inspired and enlightened as they witness "Crowns." The play has brought audiences to their feet across the country since its debut in 2002. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students with a valid ID. For additional information and to purchase tickets, contact the Department of Theatre Arts at 334-229-6929. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.