The Crimson White Print Edition - September 21, 2023

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2B Zara Morgan Ava Morthland Contributing Writers A fter working within local churches for years, Lori Maxey felt the need to serve the community in a more hands-on way. Her husband always had a dream to own a used bookstore, and that’s when The House Tuscaloosa was created. “We started a literacy center and used bookstore with the hopes of creating a third space for people who need community,” Lori Maxey, co-founder and executive director of The House Tuscaloosa, said. “We wanted it in the West End community because this is an area of town that doesn’t have a lot of services in it.” The House Tuscaloosa is a local used bookstore and literacy center located in Stillman College and exists to promote literacy educationally, spiritually and musically throughout the West End community. To promote reading, The House Tuscaloosa partners with local middle and elementary schools by giving students access to free “Birthday Books.” Additionally, the organization sells books through First Book at reduced rates. After purchasing the first book, students can trade books in at the bookstore for a free second book. The service is available at Central Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, University Place Elementary and Westlawn Middle School. “People who are interested in buying books can do so for cheap, and we do that to get books into the hands of the community,” Maxey said. “Literacy rates improve and reading rates improve just by having access to books, and when you’re living at a low-income level, you don’t have money to go buy books.” Along with promoting educational literacy, Maxey also has the goal of increasing spiritual literacy in the community. “I had worked in local churches for years and years and was feeling that I really needed to get out of that and serve in the community,” Maxey said. The House offers a weekly Bible study for individuals high school age or older over Zoom. The Bible study is currently going through the Gospel of Mark. From Aug. 8 to Nov. 7, the organization is also hosting a community Grief Share at the facility. Maxey said that ensuring that the bookstore acted as a third space for individuals who are seeking community was a priority. That sentiment rings true for Adebola Aderibigbe, a sophomore at Stillman College majoring in journalism. The House has become Aderibigbe’s mini oasis from her day-to-day responsibilities. culture The House Tuscaloosa promotes educational, spiritual and musical literacy Courtesy of The House Tuscaloosa “It’s like my getaway from campus,” Aderibigbe said. “Being an international student who doesn’t have access to a car, I get bored easily. So, this place is like my mini getaway.” Literacy rates improve and reading rates improve just by having access to books. Lori Maxey Co-Founder & Executive Director The House consists of reading rooms and study spaces. The rooms are a variety of sizes and include various personalized touches. In addition to the study spaces, there is a kids’ room dedicated to children’s books for all ages. “It’s good [to have these study areas] because you have the whole place to yourself, it’s quiet and most times I bring my laptop to do my assignments here,” Daphne Ayodele, a sophomore majoring in biology at Stillman College, said. Community members who are seeking a spot to gather or study with a group can reserve a place by filling out the form on The House’s website. The use of the original structure of The House creates a peaceful oasis for all visitors to enjoy. Peyton Joos, a freshman majoring in hospitality management, started volunteering at The House on Sept. 13 and enjoys The House’s welcoming environment. “I love it here, it’s so cute,” Joos said. “There’s a lot of great opportunities to find books of any genre here.” Maxey wants to continue improving the atmosphere of the center through add-ons like rugs and an upgraded kitchen area. Maxey said that this experience has taught her how to handle unexpected difficulties. She wants others to gain confidence in the realm of literacy and beyond. “If you have a vision or a dream, don’t give up on it. You have to keep going and keep pursuing it, even if nobody around you is as excited as you are,” Maxey said. UA students who want to volunteer can go through BamaPulse or can go directly to The House Tuscaloosa’s website. LOCAL LAW FIRM Talk To A Lawyer Today! ACCIDENTS CRIMINAL ARRESTS EXPUNGEMENTS WORK HARASSMENT Questions about Court? Find answers on TikTok @FordFirm or use the QR Code 205–454-7500 No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. HIRING Runner Position Seeking a part-time college student to run errands and file. PCFILING303@GMAIL.COM
culture Mark your calendars: Upcoming events in the UA theater and dance programs 3B Gabriella Puccio-Johnson Contributing Writer A labama’s theater and dance programs are looking to maintain a high level of prestige with the fall semester’s lineup of shows. Every show is unique and requires hours of dedication from its cast members, dancers, choreographers and crew. But this talent stretches beyond the cast and crew and even includes the people who run the programs and market the shows. The first event of this semester is the Broadway Cabaret on Thursday, Sept. 28. The event is directed by Matt Davis and will be held in the District Room in downtown Tuscaloosa. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for bar purchases and seating, and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Broadway fans will love this event, as the night will be filled with talented musical theater students singing their favorite songs. This is the second year the Broadway Cabaret has been held, as last year’s event was a fundraiser for Courtesy of the Department of Theatre and Dance Rusty Chorba, a member of the department who died. After a successful show, the program’s organizers decided to continue it this year. The second event of this semester will be the annual Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre show, which has been held on campus for nearly three decades. The show will occur from Oct. 17-20, located in the Dance Theatre in the English Building. There will be five choreographed pieces — two by guest choreographers and three by UA faculty members — each featuring contemporary dance and ballet. Attending the ARDT show is a great way to support members of this campus, as each dancer is a student at The University of Alabama. Additionally, every year the show changes, offering something new and exciting to its viewers. Hannah Hall, the manager of marketing for the Department of Theatre and Dance, said that one of the most impressive facets of the ARDT event is the diversity of all the pieces. This is our water. Help UA protect it. Only rain down the drain. For questions, comments, or concerns about Storm Water, contact Environmental Health & Safety (205) 348-5905 | ehu.ua.edu | @EHS_UA “The diversity of the pieces and the quality is a reason in itself that students should attend this show, but also it is a good culmination of what we do in the department,” Hall said. “Especially all the hard work and passion that encompasses what these programs are about.” Shortly after the ARDT event, the theater department will have its first production of the semester, “The Rocky Horror Show.” The show will take place Oct. 31- Nov. 5, in the Marian Gallaway Theatre. This musical, created by Richard O’Brien, features music, lyrics and a book by the artist. It playfully pays homage to the B-grade science fiction and horror films of the 1930s through the early ’60s. At its core, the story follows a recently engaged couple who find themselves caught in a storm and seek refuge at the residence of an eccentric scientist known as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Robert Fuson, a third- year MFA directing candidate, is the director of this show. He shared that he is beyond excited to bring this show to campus, because it Courtesy of the Department of Theatre and Dance is one of his favorite productions. He shared that this show will be a mature production, as it covers self-exploration. “The show has a lot to do with the understanding of personal desire, pleasure, and experiencing your fullest self and its authenticity,” Fuson said. “The Rocky Horror Show” is a diverse production that covers progressive topics of this generation. It is a must- see show that will have its audience gasping at every witty line and clever twist. The last event of the semester will be the production of “Julius Caesar” on Nov. 6. The show will be directed by Seth Panitch, the head of the acting program, and held at the Allen Bales Theatre. This show is highly anticipated by acting students, as a part of their degree is to take a Shakespeare class. According to Panitch, this will be a strippeddown, cut-down, fast- paced “Caesar,” focusing tightly on how rapidly the actors succumb to their baser instincts. It will not be a political take on the script, but a personal one, which will invite the audience into a fiercer connection with the terrible tragedy. Panitch is also interpreting the battle sequences into visceral movement and threading that style throughout the piece. This will provide a new perspective through which to view the play, even for those who have seen previous productions. Panitch, who has passionately reimagined this work, highlighted the immense dedication the students have put into such a titanic production. “Somewhere just past the halfway point of a rehearsal process, the actors begin to truly inhabit the world of the play, and when they transform into that world, it allows them a more personal knowledge of the action of the play, which allows them to have a deep ownership over their roles,” Panitch said. “When this happens, I can back away as a director, and the play takes on real life from the framework I develop as a director. This new life is always richer than my single interpretation of the world of the play.” UPCOMING EVENTS September 28 Broadway Cabaret @ District Room October 17-20 Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre show @ Dance Theatre in the English Building October 31-November 5 The Rocky Horror Show @ Marian Gallaway Theatre November 6 Julius Caesar @ Allen Bales Theatre
Page 1 and 2: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 VOLUME
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