We showin' out now...

What do you get when you ask Professor Kenneth Green to produce a Birthday Tribute for the World Renowned Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery? Answer's simple-- Epic Greatness.

Earlier this month, Professor Kenneth Green of Spelman College, produced a show that Atlanta was not ready for entitled, A mile in his shoes. This production chronicled the life of Rev. Lowery through Dance, Song, Live Art, and powerful words. He managed to assemble an All-Star Cast which included stars such as legendary dancer Savion Glover, Andrew Young, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, Charon L. Kirkland-- Atlanta Public Schools 2008 Teacher of the Year, Chloe Bailey, Fonzworth Bently, Keith David, Cassi Davis, Julius (Dr. J) Erving, (deep breath) Jasmine Guy, LaTanya Richardson-Jackson, Victoria Rowell, Mykelti Williamson, Capathia Jenkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Alfree Woodard, and none other than the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

Just about every medium of media was used in this production, and every component was meticulously thought out-- right on down the the program, which included a letter from Barry himself! (That's President Barack Obama to you) Not only were there celebs involved in the show, but our own performers as well. Big shout outs to the Spelman Dance Theater, the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs, Jarrett O'Neil, Kashief Muhammad, Kenesha Reed, M'Ballu Tejan-Sie, Deshanna Wiggins (my boo), and Althea Williams.

"If you weren't at the program, you missed a SPECIAL treat!" but we got you...

And... the Spelman Dance Theater and The Queen.

"...I'll follow you till you love me, Papa-Paparazzi!"

What does the end of October mean to students/ Alumni of the AUC? Surely not just the arrival of fall... But HOMECOMING! For many Spelmanites, it is an opportunity to visit family and friends during fall break, then back to ATL for festivities. For the Renaissance Men, a week-long battle between good and evil (class and partying). For both groups, homecoming is the highlight of the year, and the only excuse for acceptable substance and alchohol abuse-- well, usage. Don't judge.

We can't forget one integral part of the week. Fashion. Lookey lookey what we stumbled upon. v103's webmag came out to show love, and snapped a few photos. I think faces have been cut off to protect those who did not consent. ehh... maybe you'll see yourself.

They're mostly all of "bags and boots," but incase anyone was nervous, I can assure you, they're all women dressed in women's clothes. Thanks Dr. Franklin.





For the actual blog on v103's website, click here.

For more homecoming pictures, search facebook for these key words: "All the way turnt up."

Gone get ya camera phone on, it's a photoshoot...

Every moment is a photo op. Cheese!

Upcoming Performances.

Keep your eyes and ears open for these shows.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
October 29-November 1, and 5-8
Maya Angelou Black Box Theater
Directed by Marion Wright

Spelman Dance Theater Fall Concert
Novemeber 19-22
Baldwin Burroughs Theater
Directed by T.Lang

Enjoy this preview of the show:


CROWNS
February 18-22
Baldwin Burroughs Theater
Adapted by Regina Taylor Directed by Jade Lambert-Smith

Enjoy this preview of the show:


The Bluest Eye
April 1-4
Baldwin Burroughs Theater
Adapted by Lydia Diamond from the novel by Toni Morrison Directed by Jasmine Guy

Enjoy this preview of the show:

Spelman Dance Theater Spring Concert
April 15-18
Baldwin Burroughs Theater
Directed by T. Lang

"In the name of Aphrodite, women should be known as MIGHTY!"

The Spelman College Department of Drama and Dance opened the season with Neil Simon's women's translation of the classic Lysistrata. What's special about this show, is that it is written entirely in a rhymed couplet. Lysistrata rallies the Athenian women together, seizes the treasury, stages a sex strike, and force the men of each warring faction to come home and sign a truce. The setting? .... wait for it.... the height of the feminist movement and the Vietnam War. To all those who supported, thank you.

want more? click here.

Congratulations to the 2009-2010 SpelHouse Players!

The following students have been selected to be the Spelman Morehouse Performance ensemble. The students were selected based off of their preperation and outstanding performance at the general auditions. Congrats again!

2009-2010 Spelhouse Players:

Brittany Benson
Joy Brunson
Ashley Cleveland
Amanda Denham
Jazmine Dinkins
Leland Fowler
Patrick Jackson
Tendayi Kuumba
Anthony McQueen
Eric Mosley
Gavin Pickins
Rachel Redd
Amber Rembert
Mike Scott
Pam Stegall

It's been a long time coming... updates.

We've been gone for a minute, now we're back with the jumpoff...

It's been awhile since we've last posted, but it's just becasue we've been so busy in the department. We've got updates, so enjoy.

Our FAME movie night in the blackbox theater was a major sucess! The room was full, and the aroma of freshly popped, movie-style popcorn lingered all about. Spriggs sound concessions, while we all gathered to enjoy the free 1980's FAME.

Keep us all uplifted.

Spriggs-Burroughs remembers Jasmine Lynn, Sophomore Class of 2012.

Early Thursday morning, our own Spelman sister was slain by a stray bullet, as she walked back to her room at Spelman College. Little is known about the actual incident, although many stories have surfaced. Spelman College President, Dr. Beverly Tatum expediently notified the Spelman community with a mass e-mail sent to all Spelman students, in addition to facebook messages sent to members of the AUC. Word spread quickly via facebook status and text messages, resulting in many different reactions. Many were concerned about the safety, the media portrayal, and future solutions for tragedies like these throughout the AUC. Everyone however shared the same sentiments when it came to acknowledging Lynn's family and friends. A special service was conducted this morning at Spelman College in Sister's Chapel, along with a Prayer Vigil and walk that started at King's Chapel on the campus of Morehouse College. Those who were present lifted a finger of agreement to signify their commitment to debunking stereotypes, and truly becoming a family of students--regardless of the school that they attend. The evening concluded with the song "I need you to survive."


This is certainly a travesty, and we at Spriggs-Burroughs send all of our condolences and all the positive energies that we can muster to Lynn's family.


The Atlanta Journal Constitution was also shamelessly present, tactlessly capturing all of the evenings sentiments. I guess it was a good thing though, now I can provide you with footage. The video is inaccurate, we know Jasmine was not "25" or "in her 20's," but 19. There are also photos, courtesy of the AJC. For the video go to: http://www.ajc.com/video?bcpid=1659825399&bclid, click on local news, then CAU student witness describe scene.

Remember, life is but a gift. Tell someone you love them.

Embarrassed.

Lawd Lawd Lawd...



So, that beautious time of the year has once again come and gone, where those interested in being apart of the Spelman Department of Drama and Dance audition for their spot to make it on the big stage! This year, the department has "upped the annie" so to speak on the process, as well as the requirements. Requirements include an acting resume, headshot, one minute monologue, and 16 measures of a song.



Then the audition.... this audition....



It began promptly with some 8 counts. I'm unsure as to how many, personally, I (Eric Mosley) couldn't keep up, or count for that matter. Nonetheless, some students shined! Others, well most, did not. The aforementioned T. Lang, did not dissapoint with her routine, filled with celebrity cameos-- Jane Fonda, Muhammed Ali, to name just a few. She may have spent five minutes teaching, then it was showtime! I'm sure that we all would just like to forget that part of the audition. I already have.



Next, we changed into audition clothes, and it was time to show our stuff. Popular monologue choices included works by August Wilson and Lorraine Hansberry, while songs ranged from Aladdin's A Whole new World, to Etta James' At Last, I am Changing from Dreamgirls, to my personal favorite... Happy Birthday.



The turn out was abundant, which is a great way to kick off the year! There are so many fresh faces, beautiful voices, and powerhouses of talent! Kudos to all who have auditioned. Job well done. Well done.

Hot ish.

T. Lang in this thaaannngg!
She's brilliant. If you have not seen her work, you're crazy. Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities this year. Tracy Lang is the director of the Spelman Dance Theater. After an impressive one-year appointment, she has been invited back as associate professor of dance. Lang has wasted no time in grooming this department into one that is nothing short of amazing. Accomplishments include participation in the prestigious American College Dance Festival-- which was no easy feat. Lang, with the help of good ole' Dr. Bradley did some heavy fundraising and negotiating with Dr. Tatum (President of Spelman College) and Provost Johnetta Butler, which resulted in full sponsorship. Praise God! To show appreciation, the dancers dedicated one of the most popular pieces, J.I.G. to both of them. It did so well, that the dancers were given teh highest accolade of the conference, dancing at the Closing Gala! Lang also premiered a show on the 22nd of May which featured J.I.G. and many other original pieces, in which she used many of her dancers from her company based in New York.

"The content of JIG…. Okay. It’s about the puzzle of life. Sometimes things just don’t fit. Don’t jam it. You have the support system, from everyone. Even when you try something and it doesn’t fit, you have that support system of those known, and unknown. That’s JIG.” -T.Lang

Another HUGE accomlishment for the department, is that they will open their season at the Alliance Theater, here in Atlanta, Geawgia! For those who don't know, the Alliance won the Tony award in '07 for regional theaters. HUGE. Here are photos from the May show.

For video clips, click here.

Photography by: Tara-Lynne Pixley and Will Day Photography

Cookies, Punch, Ice Cream, and all that Jazz. Welcome Back!

The doors of the church are now open...

On Friday August 28, The Drama and Dance Department officially welcomed us back. We, amazing actors and dancers and newbies, were welcomed with refreshments-- cookies (BOMB), fruit punch, Ice Cream (shout out to Spelman Alumna Whitney Crawford, Hoollllaaa!)-- while the professors informed us about general auditions, the upcoming season, advisement, and their classes. There were many new faces in the building, which is always a blessing from on high! The excitement was certainly stirred up! Like they say in church... Get ready, get ready, get ready!

We run dis-- Spriggs Exec Board

The Spriggs-Burroughs Drama and Dance Ensemble is a company of actors and dancers that seek to enrich campus life by their own collective creative expressions. This includes hosting events, bringing non-performers into the performing world, and supporting our own. It's a membership. Th executive board is elected during the previous academic year.

Without further ado, the 2009-2010 Spriggs Executive Board:

President: Ashley Cleveland Spelman College '10

Vice President: Eric Mosley Morehouse College '11

Treasurer: Jazmine Dinkins Spelman College '10

Historian: Robyne Jones Spelman College '10

Public Relations Chair: Rachel Dubose Spelman College '10

Student Government Association Representative: Zuri R.A. Spelman College '12

photo coming soon

General Body Liason: Patrick Jackson Morehouse College '10

Social Chair: Ebonne Holyfield Spelman College '10

Secretary: Jireh Holder Morehouse College '12

And our LOVELY Organizational Advisor and manager of the "Color Waiting Room" Ms. Marion Wright!

Class is in Session.

Welcome back students of the Atlanta University Center!

Class is in session. We are extremely excited for this year and everything that it has to offer. The professors are sharper than ever, and talent seems to be oozing out of every pore of the students who walk through the doors of the fine arts building.

Spriggs-Burroughs is jumping on the bandwagon, and coming to you in the first ever blog. More posts and pictures coming soon. Again, Welcome.