UA CrossingPoints Program Shines With Performance Of 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory'

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama's CrossingPoints Program once again brought smiles and laughter to the community, with its performance of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for its annual dinner theater production at the Bryant Conference Center.

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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.

CrossingPoints held three performances of the Roald Dahl classic this week, with a sell-out show on Wednesday, followed by two shows Thursday. While Thursday night's performance was also sold out, the program earlier in the day performed for 125 special needs students from around Tuscaloosa County.

"I'm just proud every time they get up there and show how amazing they are," CrossingPoints Program Coordinator Amy Williamson told Patch. "They have a voice, they're on stage, people see them and know that they're awesome."

As Patch has previously reported, 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.

Jack Sisson, an Atlanta native who aspires to be a voice actor, once again stole the show after being the lead in last year's performance of "Shrek."

In the role of Willy Wonka, Sisson drew thunderous applause for his command of the stage, which included a singing recitation of the famous rowboat scene that was brought to life on the silver screen by Gene Wilder in the 1971 classic.

"I feel pretty relieved," Sisson said with a laugh once the third and final performance wrapped up. "I can tell you my favorite part was scene seven, the boat scene."

Williamson said the program considered other possibilities for this year's performance, including "Toy Story" and "Cinderella."

However, with such a male-dominated cast, the decision was made to go with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

"I just think the experience for our students to be on stage with other UA students in an inclusive experience is special, while our students are the stars and the other UA students are the background roles," Williamson said. "It's inclusive, but our students are the ones that get to take center stage."

And that’s a wrap! Great work by the amazing folks at @UACrossingPP! 🍫❤️ pic.twitter.com/jBnRhCE6xA

— Ryan Phillips (@JournoRyan) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/JournoRyan... 31, 2023

• Jack Sisson — Willy Wonka
• Liam Owsley — Charlie Bucket
• Nathan Skipper — Grandpa Joe
• Gunner Owens — Narrator
• Jahlen Vaughn — Augustus Gloop
• Kaylee Dew — Violet Beauregard; Squirrel
• Richard Tucker — Mike Teavee
• Alison Durie — Veruca Salt
• Sylas Grace — Mr. Ficklegruber
• Punch Martin — Mr. Slugworth
• Jordan Alexander — Mr. Prodnose; Mrs. Teavee
• Alex Young — Mr. Teavee
• Luke Richardson — Candyman; Squirrel
• Chase Fields — Mr. Beauregard
• Lydia DeGraffenreid — Mrs. Beauregard
• Jared Williams — Mr. Bucket
• Jya Johnson — Mrs. Bucket
• Brannon Stamper — Mr. Salt
• Brittany Reedy — Mrs. Salt
• Brandon Washington — Mr. Gloop
• Caroline Thigpen — Mrs. Gloop; Oompa Loompa
• Jordan Mayfield — Grandpa George
• Lorena Ramirez — Grandma Georgina
• Claire Lutz — Grandma Josephine; Oompa Loompa
• Austin Cannon — Reporter; Oompa Loompa
• Asher Pinner — Mr. Jopeck
• Dillon Cook — Oompa Loompa, Squirrel.

OOMPA LOOMPAS: Keaaron Rowser, Austin Johnson, Ju-Nya Jenkins, Dikimbre Jones, Julie Bice, Talib Taylor, Reggie Whitfield, Jordan Mack, Krimson Kidd, Chandler Herrero, Anna Rose Milner, Bethany Graham, Kaitlyn McDaniel, Lauran Wilcoxsan, Manasa Surianarayanan, Allison Hodges, Davis Spain, A'Shuntae Quarles, Rachel Brady, Aubrei Grisaffe.

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

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