Story by Lindsay Dyess

Alabama native Emily Herring brings her unique flair for music and performing this May to the Shelby County Arts Council.  “A Night at the Oscars” showcases Herring’s incredible voice, talent and a vast love for tunes from popular films.

Herring is currently an assistant professor of musical theater voice at the University of Alabama, but her love of music and performing started when she was just a child.  Performing with the Children’s Theater “Pixie Playhouse” every summer during her youth helped cultivate her love of performing and music.  She loved the challenges she faced at “Pixie Playhouse” and the opportunity to push herself to become a better performer.  She was not officially hooked on musical theater until high school when she saw Alabama native Rebecca Luker perform as Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway.

“It moved me to tears … it was so powerful,” she recalled.  “I knew at that moment that I wanted to do this.”

 

Herring has since gone on to make her dreams come true.  She has performed in national tours of “Kiss Me Kate,” “Ragtime” and “The Sound of Music” and regional theater performances of “Always…Patsy Cline,” “Smoke on the Mountain,” “Godspell,” “Into the Woods” and many more.

It’s about the only thing that really lights me up,” Herring said.  “I have loved traveling the world and performing with amazing people and music.  It’s really the best job in the world.”

Her passion is not only for her work but also for her audience.

“I want them to laugh and cry and really look deep within themselves to discover something to revive something that’s been buried for a long time,” she said.

“A Night at the Oscars” comes to the Shelby County Arts Council’s Black Box Theater Friday, May 23.  Tickets are $20 each. Door open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.  Don’t forget to also mark your calendars for Phil Dudley Band and CD release party on May 9, Danny Brooks on May 16 and Sweet Tea Trio on May 30. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit Shelbycountyarts council.com. For more information on Emily Herring, visit Emilyherring.com.