TWO THUMBS UP: Scenes From 'Shrek' By UA CrossingPoints

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A packed ballroom at the Bryant Conference Center was filled with hearty laughter and thunderous applause Wednesday night for a dinner-theater production of the comedy classic "Shrek" by students in the University of Alabama's CrossingPoints Program.

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The program provides opportunities for three tiers of students with disabilities, with each represented in the cast and crew of the program's annual performance.

To elaborate, Tier 1 students — age 18-21 — are those with significant disabilities who are still receiving services during the academic year under the the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, while Tier 2 or the Summer Bridge Program is a postsecondary pipeline program for college-age students over the age of 19 with intellectual disabilities.

Tier 3 students participate in a non-degree certificate program for young adults with intellectual disabilities who are interested in receiving further post-secondary education at The University of Alabama.

"Shrek" was put on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn't stop the dozens of students from working to perfect their crafts for the big night. Indeed, there was so much interest in this year's production that the program was left with no choice but to hold auditions for popular roles like Shrek.

A question-and-answer session with the cast was also held after they did their final bows.

For instance, Davis Spain, a Tier 3 student from Birmingham who played one of the Three Blind Mice — No. 2, specifically — informed those in the audience that he was, in fact, actually blind.

When asked by Patch following the show if it was difficult to keep from laughing on stage with such a funny, quotable script, Spain's answer was concise and direct, drawing even more laughs from those in the audience.

"It was hard!," he said.

Click here to learn more about UA's CrossingPoints Program.

Here's a look at just some of the images from Wednesday's performance.

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