The stage lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the audience as Percy Jackson’s story, “The Lightning Thief,” came to life inside Samford University’s Harrison Theatre. For many of the children and families in attendance, it was the first time they had witnessed live theater, an experience made possible by Samford’s Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth Series and its ongoing outreach to Birmingham-area schools and community groups.
This year’s sold-out production of “The Lightning Thief” was more than a student performance. It was a showcase of professional-level artistry and a reflection of the School of the Arts’ deep commitment to civic engagement through the performing arts.
Inspiring Audiences and Preparing Professionals
“The Samford Theatre for Youth program strives to create family friendly productions that both challenge and engage our students while providing professional performances,” said Laura Byland, professor of theatre and director of the Theatre for Youth program. “We believe we have a commitment to serve others in the arena of the theatrical arts specifically geared toward young people and their caregivers.”
That commitment reaches far beyond campus. Each year, Byland and her students invite groups who might not otherwise have access to live theater, including the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind, Unless U, Birmingham City Schools, Hale County Schools, Grace House, the Boys and Girls Club, King’s Home and the YWCA.
“For some students in the audience, this is the first time they will have seen and engaged with live theater,” Byland said. “It is difficult to overstate the positive impact this may have on them.”
That impact is often written across children’s faces when they meet the cast after the show. “They want to immediately talk to and get a picture with their favorite character,” Byland said. “Many talked about how they could identify with Percy Jackson and how his story really gave them hope. They wanted to come back and see it again.”
Career Preparation Through Community Connection
The performances also serve as invaluable training for Samford students pursuing careers in theatre and dance. By performing for diverse audiences, students learn how to adapt, engage and respond in real time, a skill set that demands both technical precision and emotional awareness.
“In Theatre for Young Audiences, it is vital that performers make direct eye contact with their audience to help draw them into the story,” Byland said. “This takes tremendous preparation as a performer to not only be ready with content but also to receive direct feedback from the audience. A youth audience is very present; they will let you know if they like or dislike something.”
For students pursuing a career in the arts, this emphasis on technical skill and classical training, combined with the opportunity to perform complex and full-scale productions, is just one of the reasons why The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford University #3 in the nation for the quality of Career Preparation and #7 in the nation for Student Learning Opportunities.
The 2025-26 theatre and dance season at Samford has only just begun. Audiences are invited to enjoy any number of shows coming to campus this Fall and Spring, with “Frankenstein” set to premier this Halloween weekend, Oct. 30 – Nov. 2.
TICKETS: Reserve seats for "Frankenstein."
A Legacy of Service and Hope
Productions like these rely on community generosity to remain accessible. Byland credited longtime supporter Emma Taylor for helping make this year’s outreach possible, covering costs such as transportation, interpreters and meals for student performers during long performance days.
“We would welcome others to come alongside Emma as we continue to reach out to marginalized groups,” Byland said. “We always have needs to pay for buses, sign language interpreters, show tickets and food for the cast.”
For Byland, the program’s impact extends beyond entertainment. It is about empathy, imagination and hope, qualities she believes the arts uniquely nurture.
“Over the years, the School of the Arts has offered a safe, brave space to inspire creativity, build empathy and allow imagination to take flight,” she said. “We want to challenge audiences to make a difference in their world, to see the hope in the world.”
Support Theatre for Youth
Samford’s Theatre for Youth program continues to bring professional-level performances to Birmingham while providing transformative experiences for children and training opportunities for students pursuing careers in the arts.
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