معرفی
Laura S. Byland is a Professor of Theatre and Director of the Theatre for Youth program at Samford University's School of the Arts, Department of Theatre and Dance in Birmingham, AL. She serves as founding Executive Director of The Scissortail Children’s Theatre and actively directs productions at Birmingham Children’s Theatre and The Virginia Samford Theatre while leading Theatre for Youth initiatives at Samford.
Her academic credentials include:
- BA from Hiram College
- MA from Oklahoma State University
- MFA from the University of Oklahoma
Dr. Byland specializes in Theatre for Youth, Acting and Directing, Curriculum Development, Theatre for Youth Literature, Theatre as Therapy, Creative Drama and Storytelling, and Theatrical Makeup. She has developed outreach programs integrating theatre into educational curricula and ministry activities across local, state-wide, and international contexts, demonstrating theatre's therapeutic and social impact potential.
Her distinguished contributions are recognized through:
- KC-ACTF Distinguished Achievement in Directing: As It Is In Heaven
- KC-ACTF Outstanding Achievement in Scenic and Lighting Design: As It Is In Heaven
- KC-ACTF Outstanding Achievement Scenic Design: A Streetcar Named Desire
- Oklahoma Speech/Theatre Association Outstanding Young College Teacher
As current Vice Chair of the Theatre for Youth Division of the Southeastern Theatre Conference, Dr. Byland volunteers extensively teaching drama to physically and intellectually disabled adults and founded Birmingham's first theatre company dedicated to performers with disabilities, embodying her conviction that "theatre changes lives" through community engagement and inclusive performance opportunities.
