Students Gain Professional Experience in Fifth Annual ‘Bard in the Yard’ Production
AAMU Bulldog Bards Take Shakespeare From The Hill to Huntsville
The Alabama A&M University Bulldog Bards are taking Shakespeare from The Hill to stages across Huntsville this week with the fifth annual “Bard in the Yard.”
This year’s production, “Shakespeare in Love & War,” brings together some of William Shakespeare’s best-known characters and scenes in a fast-paced performance featuring romance, comedy, drama and stage combat.
Performances begin Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy before moving to The Orion Amphitheater on Thursday, Oct. 1. The production concludes Friday, Oct. 2, with two performances at AAMU’s Johnson Little Theatre.
For the AAMU students involved, the production offers more than an opportunity to take the stage. The Bulldog Bards participate through the Creative Workforce Development Program, a partnership between AAMU and Fantasy Playhouse that allows students to earn University credit while gaining professional theater experience. Students are also paid as professional actors for their performances.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being both a teaching artist and an actress,” said senior communications media major Shyla Wade. “The impact we have had on our students is palpable, and I cannot wait to see their reactions to the show.”
Wade, a Nashville, Tennessee, native who portrays Juliet and Ophelia, is returning for her second year with the group. She is among students from academic programs across the University bringing this year’s production to life, with majors spanning communications media, biology, political science, English, mechanical engineering, visual arts and computer science.
Senior English pre-law major Daniel A. Ware of Atlanta returns for his fourth year with the group, portraying Othello, Romeo and Macbeth. Junior communications media major Jayla Tillman of Huntsville returns for her second year in the roles of the Nurse, Joan of Arc and Sylvia, while senior communications media major Rickayla Whitelow of Holly Springs, Mississippi, also returns for her second year as an actor swing and ensemble member.
Several students are making their Bulldog Bards debuts. Sophomore biology major Chizitelu Justin of Abuja, Nigeria, portrays Lady Macbeth and Julia; sophomore political science major Trinity Golden of Byram, Mississippi, plays Adriana and Beatrice; sophomore visual arts major Cailyn Alexander of Bessemer, Alabama, portrays Portia and Luciana; and freshman mechanical engineering major Elijha Cooper of Decatur, Alabama, takes on the roles of Iago, Benedick and Hamlet.
Anijah Gilbert of Chicago, who studies mechanical engineering and communications media, portrays Mercutio and Cleopatra.
“This has been a phenomenal experience as both a teaching artist and actress,” Gilbert said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to portray Cleopatra and Mercutio on my first tour, and I hope young girls who see Cleopatra recognize that they, too, are strong, brilliant and beautiful.”
The company also includes freshman computer science major Ryan Wade of Nashville and junior political science major Alivia Morris of Clarksville, Tennessee, working backstage. Helen Moyer of Huntsville, a Fantasy Playhouse employee and care coordinator, returns for her third year with the group as Desdemona and Tybalt.
“Shakespeare in Love & War” is the Bulldog Bards’ first production of the 2026-27 academic year.
Performances are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Fantasy Playhouse; 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at The Orion; and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at AAMU’s Johnson Little Theatre.
The Orion performances are free. The production is family-friendly but includes staged sword combat.
The Fantasy Playhouse performance is part of its Theater for Young Audiences Series.
Back row, from left, are Jayla Tillman, Anijah Gilbert, Shyla Wade, Helen Moyer and Chizitelu Justin. Front row, from left, are Daniel Ware, Cailyn Alexander, Elijha Cooper, Rickayla Whitelow and Maddison Qualls. Photo courtesy of Elise Walker, content coordinator, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy.