Wallace Theatre and Dothan Preparatory Academy team up

Wallace Community College – Dothan’s theatre department recently partnered with Dothan City Schools to increase technical skills of their students. Charles Sirmon, director of theatre at Wallace invited Ben Lundy, theatre educator at Dothan Preparatory Academy, to his voice and diction course.

Students learned a variety of vocal and physical warm ups popularized by Fitzmaurice Alexander, Patsy Rodenburg, and Kristin Linklater, prominent vocal artists, to prepare for rehearsals and future productions.

“As a theatre educator for the past 30 years, I know that collaboration and sharing is the key to the success of young people’s life skills,” Sirmon said.

Sirmon was the theatre director and educator at Dothan High School, now named Dothan Preparatory Academy. Sirmon said he is looking forward to assisting and supporting DPA’s developing program. He said after returning to the Wiregrass this year to become the director of theatre at Wallace, the opportunity came available to work with area schools.

As a Dothan native, Sirmon said he is thrilled to express his ideas, knowledge and theatrical desire with other local students and educators. “After spending many years on the educational and professional level, from New York to Chicago, and throughout the Southeast, the excitement of growth for current and future Wallace students is a wonderful exhilarating opportunity,” Sirmon said.

Lundy said he enjoyed working with the Wallace students and seeing their desire for the art.

“I am impressed by the group’s passion and commitment,” Lundy said. “They approached the work with an open mind and fantastic attitude.” Lundy is a BFA Musical Theatre graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has worked as a professional actor and educator throughout the southeast with Riverside Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Highlands Playhouse, and UAB’s ArtPlay.

Sirmon and Lundy both said they are excited by the talented students in the Wiregrass area and anticipate a bright future for these acting students.