The Miss Alabama USA program will host the 57th annual Miss Alabama USA and Miss Alabama Teen USA pageants Friday through Sunday, in Tuscaloosa for the first time in the program’s history.

The 2011 program will feature more than 90 total contestants in the Miss and Teen divisions representing all areas of the state of Alabama. The Historic Bama Theater will host the preliminary and final competitions. Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart will serve as master of ceremonies during the preliminary competition while finals will be emceed by Tara Tucker Gray, Miss Alabama Teen USA 1997 and Miss Alabama USA 2002. Former University of Alabama student, and the only Miss Alabama USA to win the title of Miss Universe (1967), Sylvia Hitchcock, is also scheduled to attend.

Director of the Miss Alabama USA Program, Dohn Dye, said the decision to move the pageant to Tuscaloosa was a clear choice.

 “On Nov. 6 and 7, Tuscaloosa will definitely be the most beautiful place in the state, if not the entire country,” said Dye. “We are honored to be able to showcase the most beautiful young women in our state, as well as welcoming Alabama’s own Miss Universe, and former Miss USA winners,” he added.

The host city is not the only change for the 2011 edition of the pageant. Dye has recruited Alabama native and New York  based choreographer, Christopher Dean to make the three rounds of competition events to remember.

This year’s production will be like nothing Alabama’s seen before,” said Dye. “Christopher is working hard to make these pageants top-notch entertainment experiences that will highlight the contestants and be modeled after a live television broadcast,.”

Miss Alabama USA 2010, Audrey Moore, 21, of Birmingham, will crown her successor on Sunday, Nov. 7. Moore placed in the top 10 finalists and was named most photogenic at the 2010 Miss USA competition in Las Vegas, Nev.

This year’s Miss Alabama USA will also go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant in the spring of 2011, which will be aired on NBC.

The Miss Alabama USA 2010 prize package includes more than $200,000 in scholarships and prizes including the official Miss USA preliminary crown and a Burmese ruby bracelet valued at $125,000 and sponsored by Tara Tucker Gray.

Miss Alabama Teen USA 2010, Ashlyn Alongi, 17, of Huntsville, will also crown the next Miss Alabama Teen USA on Nov. 7.

Alongi finished in the top 15 finalists at the Miss Teen USA pageant at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. The 2011 Miss Alabama Teen USA winner will also receive the official Miss Teen USA preliminary crown and ruby bracelet, as well as numerous other items in the prize package.

Tickets for both the preliminary and final rounds of competition are currently on sale at www.missalabamausa.com.

Program schedule: All events take place at the Historic Bama Theater

• Saturday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. — Presentation Show — Miss and Teen contestants compete in evening gown and swimsuit.

• Sunday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m.  — 2011 Miss Alabama Teen USA Coronation Show — Announcement of the top 15 finalists who will compete in evening gown and swimsuit again. The pool will be narrowed to the top 5 who will answer the on-stage question. Miss Alabama Teen USA 2011 will be crowned and runners-up will be announced.

• Sunday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. – 2011 Miss Alabama USA Coronation Show – Announcement of the top 15 finalists who will compete in evening gown and swimsuit again. The pool will be narrowed to the top 5 who will answer the on-stage question. Miss Alabama USA 2011 will be crowned and runners-up will be announced.

  The Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nation-wide, grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization, is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers.

By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Susan G. Komen For the Cure and Gilda’s Club, the women who champion these causes during their reign personify the combination of beauty and intelligence that defines the 21st century.

For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.