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ABOUT ME

ABIGAIL DILLARD

Assistant Professor of Theatre
University of North Alabama - UNA
Co-Fringe Festival Chair for SETC 2023- Present

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E-mail: abigaildillard@gmail.com
Tel: (225) 810-7017
Directing Experiece
• Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill
   September 28-30, 2023

Concord Floral is a one-million-square-foot abandoned greenhouse and a refuge for neighbourhood kids; a place all to themselves in which to dream, dare, and come of age. But hidden there is a secret no one wants to confront, and when two friends stumble upon it they set off an unstoppable chain of events, from shadows in parking lots to phone calls from the grave. It's time for the teens of Concord Floral to start talking.

• Defying Gravity by Jane Anderson
   April 27-29, 2023

This free-structured look at the 1986 Challenger disaster, in which a teacher and six others died as they hurtled into space, explores our need to reach beyond ourselves and dare the universe.

• The Folklore Project, a devised piece
   October 6-8, 2023

Our prompt was to craft an original fable or folklore story we think should be in the world today. The creative team of this production has crafted a folktale that incorporates seven theatrical stories inspired by local North Alabama folklore. Following the character of Elsie, you will meet Annie, Chuck, Marcus, Sylvie, Julianna, and Florence. We will take you on a journey through time and timelines pulling universal lessons that should influence our own idea of community and the power of storytelling.

• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Adapted by  Bryony Lavery
   February 22-28, 2022

This tale you most likely know by Robert Louis Stevenson, is adapted for the stage by Bryony Lavery who introduces us to a crop of blood-thirsty female pirates. The story propelled by Jim Hawkins as a girl at the blush of confusing hormones seeks the glitter of treasure, adventure, and danger over the life she’s always been sheltered in. But this treasure is more than coins in a box, it's where we really discover something about ourselves and what matters most in the unmooring of life as we know it. The onslaught of characters in this show from family, townspeople and of course pirates act as playable constructs. With the good and bad, we explore conflict, comedy, and ‘scariness’ on the magnificent ship of the Hispaniola. With the stars our guiding light, we will navigate the world around us as a community, a crew and hopefully not feel so shipwrecked or abandoned

• Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare 
   Assistant Director
   April 28-May 2, 2021 (Streaming Online)

Shakespeare's classic story told with three world views in mind. The first being Shakespeare's 1598 story of two pairs of lovers who are challenged from all angles. The second a director's conceit of a 1940 Radio Play, set December 7th, 1941. The last, the very real understanding that a 2021 social justice driven audience would be streaming this production and therefore including Covid-19 conscious design choices and color-conscious casting decisions.

• Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
   April 23, 2021 (Streaming Online)

Spinning Shakespeare's historical account of the war, this selection of scenes from Act 5 was set in a women's prison. All of the actresses adopt the character names and set each other apart as rival gangs in a minimum-security prison.

• The Miser by Moliére
   February 26, 2021 (Streaming Online)

The Miser is doing everything in his power to hoard his money. His son Cleante desperately needs that money to marry his love Marianne. La Fleche, Cleante's servant, is doing everything in his power to help the lovers and annoy the Miser. This work collected a selection of scenes on just these three men as they literally and physically jump through hoops in effort to get the happy ending they wish for.

• A Day at the Zoo: A Giraffe (Devised Work)
   November 20, 2020 (Streaming Online)

From Anne Bogart's Viewpoints book on composition, this cast of six actors created an original piece. Utilizing an Anchor of a Giraffe, the Question: What is Beauty?, and the Structure of a Beauty Pageant. This piece worked to deconstruct the idea of aesthetic beauty to delve into something deeper.

• Happy Days by Samuel Beckett
   Act 2
   October 16, 2020 

In the second act, Winnie is embedded up to her neck and can move only her eyes. Willie lives and moves—on all fours—behind the mound, appearing intermittently and replying only occasionally into Winnie’s long monologue, but the knowledge of his presence is a source of comfort and inspiration to her, and doubtless the prerequisite for all her “happy days.”

• The Last Match by Anna Zeigler 
   September 25-27, 2020 (Streaming Online)

In the second act, Winnie is embedded up to her neck and can move only her eyes. Willie lives and moves—on all fours—behind the mound, appearing intermittently and replying only occasionally into Winnie’s long monologue, but the knowledge of his presence is a source of comfort and inspiration to her, and doubtless the prerequisite for all her “happy days.”

• Legally Blonde: The Musical 
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin
   March 20, 2020 (Cancelled due to the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic)

Legally Blonde: the Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

• Walls by Lindsey Price
   October 19, 2019

Walls is an abstract look at generational barriers. Through the lens of a father, mother, daughter, and son we're asked if the expectations of familial life are everything one hopes for or looks forward to.

• The Bordered Forest (Devised Work)
   May 4, 2019

Devised and directed with Imagination Stage's 5th-grade FUNdamentals of Acting class is The Bordered Forest. A new movie is being cast and for the role of an evil witch, a real evil witch appears. When not given the role she curses the entire cast and crew to the bordered forest. When they wake up to find themselves in the bordered forest the Movie Director and Producer must rely on the help of Crazy Cat and a Hungry Hermit to find the Good Witch to break the curse.

• It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry

   December 1-4, and 12-14, 2016

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.

• The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket by Peter Parnell

   September 29- October 2, 2016

   Assistant Director

As the play begins the protagonists are twelve-year-old sixth graders. One of them, Daniel Rocket, is firmly convinced that he can fly, a belief that causes him to be shunned and ridiculed by his schoolmates—including the girl he adores and for whose regard he is driven to prove himself. Oddly enough, however, it turns out that Daniel can fly, although, initially he does so in secret. When, at last, he demonstrates his talent to the others, he straps on wings (although he doesn't need them) in deference to their stubborn disbelief. From then on, Daniel soars to fame and fortune and, in the second half of the play, which takes place twenty years later, he returns home a renowned celebrity. But he has also become, in a sense, the symbol of the exceptional person, the genius who has outdistanced those around him and, in so doing, has isolated himself not only from his childhood but from the simple joys and tender emotions shared by those whom he has left behind. Torn by growing uncertainty, Daniel finds his gift waning and, in the climax of the play, he suffers a fatal crash—victim both of his distrusted uniqueness and of the unwitting need of others to bring down what they cannot understand or emulate.

• #WhyUntoOthers? by Centenary's Theatre Department

   April 22, 2016

Why do we treat people differently? What are our actions preceded by? What do we think about? Care about? Through a series of workshops, Centenary's Theatre Department experimented with answering these questions and many more. The final question, "Why unto others?" The answer was found through movement exercises. From scene 1 we challenged the theory of acceptance, Scene 2 we looked behind the structure to the person behind the mask, Scene 3 we fought the monotony of life as a part of a whole, Scene 4 we explored the concepts of activism vs. "clicktivism." In scenes 5-7 we backtracked in an effort to solve the problem together. In Scene 8 we closed with our answer, a poem written by John La Costa in our department, "Why unto others? Because unto us."

• Susannah: An Opera by Carlisle Floyd

   April 14 & 16, 2016

   Assistant Director

In New Hope Valley, Tennessee, Susannah is faced with hostility from her church community. The Reverend Olin Blitch, newly arrived to lead the congregation, enters and asks Susannah to dance. The next morning Susannah is innocently bathing naked in the creek near her home; she is discovered by the elders, who are searching for a baptismal stream. They conceal their lust with outrage and tell the community of her wickedness. Susannah arrives at a church dinner that evening and is sent away, much to her confusion. Later, as she is pondering why she has been shunned, Little Bat tells her that the elders have denounced her for bathing in the nude, and admits that he was coerced into saying she seduced him.

• Stop Kiss by Diana Son

   February 4-6, 2016

   Assistant Director

"A poignant yet funny play about the ways, both sudden and slow, that lives can change irrevocably," says Variety. After Callie and Sara meet, their fast friendship leads to an unexpected attraction. Their first kiss provokes a violent attack that transforms their lives in a way they could never anticipate.

• Hearts Like Fists by Adam Szymkowicz

   November 19-22, 2015

A superhero noir comedy about the dangers of love. The city's heart beats with fear: Doctor X is sneaking into apartments and injecting lovers with a lethal poison. Lisa's heart beats with hope: Now that she's joined the elite Crimefighters, maybe she can live a life with meaning. And every beat of Peter's wounded heart brings him closer to death, but he's designing an artificial replacement that will never break. Can the Crimefighters stop Doctor X? Do Peter and Lisa have a chance at love? And who is the girl with a face like a plate?

• MLP: Moments of Living Potential by Centenary's Theatre Department

   April 25, 2015

It's thrown around the theatre all the time. The saying, "Be yourself." But what does that mean? When you come into Centenary or college, in general, you are told that this is the place where you can become anything you want to be. Now, think of the theatre. Now, you don't just get to be whatever you want to be but you could also have the opportunity to step into multiple people's shoes throughout four years of experience. So, after trying on all these different shoes, do your feet hurt? That's an honest question. Did you lose yourself in developing all of these other characters? Do you remember who you even are at the core? As this is an original production, the cast was asked the following questions; Why are you here? What story do you have to tell? Why Centenary? Why Marjorie Lyons Playhouse? What do you truly want to do here? What is your dream past this? Are we helping you get there? Are we not? Are you helping this theatre family grow in a positive direction? If not, why? With these questions answered, monologues were created for each member of our department to present. Behind each piece was added a movement component to add to the full production.

• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield

   February 5-8, 2015

All of the plays of William Shakespeare performed in comically shortened or amalgamated form by only three actors, in this case, five, three men and two women. Typically, the actors use their real names and play themselves rather than certain characters. The fourth wall is nonexistent in the performance with the actors speaking directly to the audience during much of the play, and some scenes involve audience participation. The script contains many humorous footnotes on the text that are often not included in the performance. However, improvisation plays an important role and it is normal for the actors to deviate from the script and have spontaneous conversations about the material with each other or the audience. It is also common for them to make references to pop culture or to talk about local people and places in the area where performance is done. As a result, each performance can be vastly different from another, even with the same cast. It is notable for holding the (self-proclaimed) world record for the shortest ever performance of Hamlet, clocking in at 43 seconds, as well as the fastest performance of Hamlet backwards, at 42 seconds.

• Etiquette Lessons by The Neo-Futurists
   December 11, 2014

Acting has been taught for years by the process of don’t just say it, do it. Well, what if the characters of your show only said what they were doing? I introduce you to Etiquette Lesson by The Neo-Futurists. The two characters Greg and Heather showcase what makes up every dynamic of a young couple, a little bit of conflict. Instead of hearing the direct words of the conversation go down we see a stereotype of every argument ever produced between a man and a women. You’ve seen the memes of women winning the argument by not saying much and men continuously burying themselves deeper. Now, you see it again. There is a realization presented that even without the words or direct phrasing the action and how each individual responds is the crux of the problem. You feel for each individual character even without knowing exactly what the confrontation is about. The woman was wronged and offended in some way and that’s good enough for all of her girlfriends to call Greg a jerk and be on her side. Greg has no true inclination of the severity of his actions and continues speaking out of confusion and in efforts to address the problem. The men in the audience I’m sure would relate to feeling truly perplexed with womankind’s unorthodox reaction to what was really just a small conversation. The characters in this short show represent a comedic look into real life and they represent men and women on a larger scale. With an ambiguous scene, they present a very relatable conflict one that no one wishes to be a part of but can find the humor in when looking at it from a third party.

• Kiss by Paul Kruse
   December 11, 2014

In this very moving dramatic and apocalyptical ten-minute play Anna and Henry are thrown together on the last day of existence on earth. I have a feeling that if the last day arrived in the same manner as it does in this play the reactions of the people would be wide and varied but this is how Anna and Henry react. Anna is searching for a connection from the past and for the imminent future. She compares the event that is about to happen to a kiss, "This is a real touch. It is going to change the way things are. It's like a kiss." Picture it. Two individuals who would have never connected on any other day or time have one last chance to talk of leaving a legacy. At the end of the production I imagine Anna and Henry huddled together on top of an old car's hood in the junkyard looking up at the sky.

• The Miser by Molière (Assistant Director)
   November 14-17, 2013

Harpagon, a rich miser, rules his house with a meanness which the talk of the town. He keeps his horses so weak that they cannot be used. He lends money at such an extortionate rate that the borrower will be crippled by it and he is constantly in fear of having his wealth stolen from under his nose. Obsessively fearful, he suspects everyone and constantly checks his grounds where he has buried a large sum of money to keep it safe! As for the real treasures, his children, he marginalizes and dominates them. He deprives them of independence by denying them money. He deprives them of the freedom to choose a marriage partner for themselves. Instead, he uses them the gain more riches for himself by organizing wealthy spouses for them. As if this isn't enough he is, hypocritically, planning to marry for lust. Since father and son have designs on the same woman, they become rivals in love. But such is the force of true love that through a staged robbery the children take control of their own destinies forcing their father to give up his plans for their weddings in return for the restoration of his wealth. And en route, they discover one or two surprises about themselves that they could not have begun to imagine.

Education
​

 

   • M.F.A. in Directing for Theatre

         ‣ Baylor University

         ‣ May 2022       

    •  B.A. in Theatre

        ‣ Centenary College of Louisiana

        ‣ Magna Cum Laude Honors 

        ‣ April 2016

 

Training​​
​

  • USA Train and Create Course

    • Frantic Assembly 2024​

  • Awareness Without Judgement

    • Stella Adler Studio of Acting Teaching Training 2023​

  • Theatrical Intimacy Workshop Weekend

    • Theatrical Intimacy Education 2023​

  • Consent for the Acting Classroom

    • Theatrical Intimacy Education 2023​

  • Skidmore Summer Intensive

    • SITI Company 2022​

  • Casting Director

    • Wild Imaginings 2021​

  • Theatrical Intimacy Workshop

    • Theatrical Intimacy Education 2021​

  • Skidmore Summer Intensive

    • SITI Company 2021​

  • TeaCHE, Teaching Capstone in Higher Education

    • Baylor University 2020-2021​

  • Online Advanced Teacher Training Course

    • Frantic Assembly 2021​

  • Viewpoints and Suzuki Introductory Intensive

    • SITI Company 2021​

  • Frantic Assembly Teacher's CPD Course

    • Frantic Assembly 2020​

  • Approaching Shakespeare Intensive

    • Shakespeare Theatre Company 2020​

  • Alexander Technique Movement Training

    • Dell'Arte Interntional 2020​

  • Dramatic Structure 

    • Dell'Arte International 2020 

  • Teaching Artist

    • Imagination Stage 2018-2019

  • Assistant Teacher​

    • 2 Year Old's Program​​​

    • Little Folks School 2017-2019

  • Spring Intensive

    • Double Edge Theatre 2017 

  • Something From Nothing Workshop

    •  Pig Iron Theatre School 2017      

  • Assistant Teaching Internship

          ‣ Marjorie Lyons Playhouse 2016

  • Program Assistant           

    •  Camp Highlander 2016​

  • Woodshop Instructor  

    • Camp Highlander 2013-2016

  • Ambassador for Centenary College

    • ​2013-2016

  • Chi Omega Alumna       

  • Drama through Movement Instructor

    • Renzi Art and Education Center

    • 2013 2014​

​

Skills

​

   • Director

   • Devised Theatre

  • Movement for Actors

   • Technical Production

   • Stage Management

   • Properties Design

   • Set Design

   • Lighting Design

   • Sound Design

   • Actor

   • Singer

 

Awards

 

2023

  • Stanley Award for Best Direction of Defying Gravity

  • Stanley Award for Best Overall Play for Defying Gravity

  • Stanley Award for Best Costume Design for Defying Gravity

  • Nomination for BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards for Best Play for Defying Gravity

  • Nomination for BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards for Best Ensemble for The Folklore Project

  • Nomination for BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards for Best Director for Defying Gravity

2022

• Awarded Student Senate Bill of Support for Inclusive Casting and Highlighting Female Voices in the Arts for the Direction of Treasure Island  

2015-2016

      • Excellence in Directing      

          ‣ Award from KCACTF

          ‣ Region VI

      • Steinau Theatre Scholarship

      • President's Scholarship

      • Theatre Talant Scholarship

      • Broadmoor Fellowship

      • Fendlason Scholarship

      • Biedenharn Scholarship

      • APO President

      • Student Director

2014-2015

      • Broadmoor Fellowship

      • Daughenbaugh-Matheny

      • Fendlason Scholarship

      • Rob Laha Memorial

         Award of Excellence in Theatre  

      • UM Foundation Scholarship

      • Biedenharn Scholarship

      • Golden Masque Award

      • APO President

      • Student Director

2013-2014

      • D.L Dykes Service Award

      • Theatre Talent Scholarship

      • Broadmoor Fellowship

      • Fendlason Scholarship

      • Biedenharn Scholarship

      • Daughenbaugh-Matheny

2012-2013

      • President's Scholarship 

      • Theatre Talent Scholarship

      • Daughnebaugh-Matheny

      • Fendlason Scholarship

Technical Production
Technical production
• Set Designer

   2012-present

The Last Match by Anna Zeigler The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Directed by myself. It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry. Directed by myself. *Class Designs under Studio Tab

• Properties Designer

   2013-present

As You Like It by William Shakespeare. Directed by Heather Hooper. Bog of Cats by Marina Carr. Directed by Melissa Grande. Urinetown: The Musical by Mark Hollman. Directed by Ron Birmingham. *Photos found under Studio tab.

• Stage Manager

   2013-present

Susannah: An Opera by Carlisle Floyd. Directed by Twyla Robinson. Rags: The Musical by Joesph Stein. Directed by Ron Birmingham. The Miser by Molière. Directed by Emily Heugatter. Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. Directed by Emily Heugatter.

• Costume Assistant

   2015-present

Not About Nightengales by Tennessee Williams. Directed by Logan Sledge Hearts Like Fists by Adam Szymkowicz. Directed by myself. Susannah: An Opera by Carlisle Floyd. Directed by Twyla Robinson. It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry. Directed by myself. *Class Designs under Studio Tab

• Lighting Designer

   2014-present

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Directed by myself. *Class Designs under Studio Tab

• Set Construction

   2010-present

Rags: The Musical by Joesph Stein. Directed by Ron Birmingham. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Directed by myself. Proof by David Auburn. Directed by Logan Sledge. Bog of Cats by Marina Carr. Directed by Melissa Grande. The Miser by Molière. Directed by Emily Heugatter. Picnic by William Inge. Directed by C.L. 'Kip' Holloway. Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts. Directed by Barry James Acosta. Baby with the Bathwater by Christopher Durang. Directed by Emily Heugatter.

• KCACTF Regional Host

   2013-2014

Campus Liason for Centenary College of Louisiana Day Time Hopitality Assisstant Chair

Acting Experience
Acting Experience
• Devised Performance at Da Shop in conjunction with Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

2015

Playing an unknown character in a devised movement one act entitled #WhyUntoOthers?. Directed collaboratively by myself. Playing myself and moevement characters in a devised hour long one act entitled MLP: Moments of Living Potential. Directed collaboratively by myself.

• Black Box at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

   2013 - present

Thrust Staging. Claire from the production Proof written by David Auburn. Directed by Logan Sledge. In The Round. Le Beau in the contemporary staging of As You Like It written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Heather Hooper.

Main Stage at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse.

2013 - present

Mrs. Bristol in Not About Nightengales written by Tennessee Williams. Directed by Logan Sledge. Monica Murray in the Irish show of Bog of Cats written by Marina Carr. Directed by Melissa Grande. Christine Schoenwalder in the production of Picnic by William Inge. Directed by C.L. "Kip" Holloway.

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