COE Does ART Presents ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’

TUSCALOOSA. Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Engineering Does Amateur Radical Theater, or COE Does ART, will stage “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” the weekend of Nov. 11.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” is a fast-paced, irreverent parody of the plays written by William Shakespeare. Each of the 37 plays is performed in a shortened form by only three actors. It’s a collection of characters and a maze of plots that keeps the audience laughing and, often, confused!

COE Does ART provides engineering students the opportunity to display their talents in a way that might not otherwise be available. Many of the students have been so focused on academics throughout their school careers they have not had such an opportunity before. For these engineering students, talents are pursued and developed, both in and out of the lab.

“This group is all about giving engineers a chance to stretch their creative muscles,”  said Calvin Bryan, dramatic director and a junior in mechanical engineering. “We do every part of the production and very much enjoy the process.”

Performances will be Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13, at 2 p.m. in H.M. Comer Hall, room 126. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the door or for $4 with the donation of cans for Beat Auburn Beat Hunger.

Members of the COE Does ART and “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” cast and crew include:

• Matthew Brandt, a senior in mechanical engineering from Homewood
• Calvin Bryan, a junior in mechanical engineering from Spring, Texas
• Christoffer Mohr, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Charlotte, N.C.
• Dakota Park-Ozee, a freshman in physics and theater from Oviedo, Fla.
• Joseph Wolfe, a sophomore in engineering from Tarzana, Calif.

COE Does ART, a student-led organization established in January 2007 at The University of Alabama, aims at disproving the stereotype that engineers are not capable of producing creative works of art.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 3,100 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.