Laura Byland, Stage Director

Laura S. Byland is a Professor of Theatre and Director of the Theatre for Youth program at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. She has enjoyed directing productions at Birmingham Children’s Theatre, The Virginia Samford Theatre, Theatre for Youth productions at Samford and is honored to be a part of Opera Birmingham’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Laura volunteers as the drama director for Unless U in Vestavia Hills, working with physically and intellectually disabled adults. She has developed the first theatre company in Birmingham dedicated to giving those with disabilities the opportunity to perform. Laura firmly believes “theatre changes lives” and is committed to being a part of that change.

Lester Seigel, Conductor

Lester Seigel has been active for over thirty years in the performing arts in the area, including three productions for Opera Birmingham, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, as well as Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia in past seasons. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Music at Birmingham-Southern College in 2024 after thirty years on the faculty as department and Division of Fine and Performing Arts chairs and as director of the BSC Concert Choir, which he led on annual tours, local performances and tours to Europe and to Carnegie Hall in Bloch’s Sacred Service. With stage directors Michael Flowers, Mildred Allen and Jeff Kensmoe, he conducted many opera and musical theatre productions at BSC ranging from Puccini’s La Bohème, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi to Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Passion and Sunday in the Park With George, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, operas by Bohuslav Martinu, Britten, Menotti, Johann Strauss and others.

He continues his work as Choirmaster/Organist at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook, and enjoyed a fifteen-year run as conductor of Sursum Corda, a professional choral ensemble based in the area.

Kathleen Farrar buccleugh, Anne Frank

Soprano Kathleen Farrar Buccleugh, acclaimed for her "light, pure tone" and versatile performances, is honored to perform the role of Anne Frank with Maestro Lester Seigel, our wonderful orchestra, and the excellent team that makes everything happen behind the scenes. Upcoming engagements include a concert with tenor Caleb Clark at Terrific New Theatre on April 27, followed by Mozart's Requiem with the Montgomery Chorale under James Seay on May 4. Recent performance highlights include Young Alyce in Glory Denied with Permian Basin Opera, featured soloist appearances with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's Tunes on Tap concert and Opera Birmingham's spring 2024 concert. Additional engagements include Music4Romania's benefit concert, Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio, a solo recital for Cathedral Church of the Advent's concert series, and Mozart's Requiem. For more, follow her at KathleenFarrarBuccleugh.com, or on Instagram @kbuccleugh.

Set Designer: Therrin Eber

Therrin J Eber is proud to be designing again in Birmingham, Alabama! Therrin holds a BA in Theatre from Purdue Fort Wayne, as well as an MFA in Design from The University of Alabama. Therrin has designed for theatres and concert venues around the country. A few of his favorite concert designs include The Manhattan Transfer, ABBA! In Concert, Michael Feinstein, The Temptations, The Piano Guys, Scythian, and more. Some of his theatre credits include: Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone, We are Proud to Present..., Great Christmas Cookie Bake Off, Anything Goes, The SpongeBob Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Godspell, Gianni Schicchi, Die Fledermaus, Semele, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and many more. Thank you to my wife Sara for the constant support. Therrin is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) www.therrinjeber.com

Lighting Designer: Matt Reynolds

Matt Reynolds serves as Associate Professor of Lighting, Sound, & Digital Design at The University of Alabama. In addition to UA, New Mexico State University, Michigan State University (M.F.A. ’12),and Indiana University (B.A. ’08),his work has been enjoyed internationally at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Casa de la Cultura de Tulum; Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theatre and Anita’s Way; and regionally at South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Actor’s Express, Horizon Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company, and Phoenix Theatre, among others. Matt has also designed for fantastic choreographers such as George Pinney, Jin Wen Yu, Shoko Tamai, Bella Lewitzky, Debra Knapp, Sherrie Barr, and Iris Rosa. Matt strives through theatrical design to amplify marginalized voices and tell compelling stories. As an instructor, Matt encourages experimentation, self-reflection, and most importantly, play. Matt dedicates his life to his loving wife of 23 years, Mollie, and his kids Lucy and Hugo. MattReynoldsDesigns.com

Costume Designer: Mallory Hubbard

Mallory Hubbard is a junior Production and Design Theatre Major with a concentration in costume design at Samford University. Her previous works include Fantastic Mr. Fox, Edges, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, The Light in the Piazza, and The Tempest. She is so honored and excited to be a part of the production. She would like to thank Mary Gurney, her mentor, for being with her every step of the way in her learning career as well as her friends and family for unconditional love, support, and prayers. Glory be to God!