Category Archives: Theatre

Creative Class of 2015: Allyson Gattin

Posted on by

After a stint in Missouri, Allyson Gattin returned to her native Little Rock and is using her talents in marketing and communication to enrich Little Rock’s cultural scene.

A graduate of Little Rock Central High School and the University of Missouri, she is now Director of Communications and Marketing at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.  In that capacity, she promotes all the Rep’s mainstage and special productions, education programs and fundraisers.  She also serves as the staff liaison for the theatre’s young professional group, The 601 Club.

Since joining the Rep in 2014, she has increased its presence on social media in a variety of platforms.  In recognition of this, she and her staff recently received the Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance Mission Marketing Award in the Social Media Category.

Prior to her work at the Rep, she worked for Arkansas Business Publishing Group and for the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis.

Today through Sunday – Ark. Arts Center Children’s Theatre Studio Series – APOLLO TO THE MOON

Posted on by

AAC CT SS Apollo

Tonight at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2pm, audiences will have a chance to relive the glory days of space exploration with the play Apollo to the Moon.

Originally produced by Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre, Apollo To the Moon is a history-packed celebration of our American Space Program, wherein young astronaut-hopeful Scott Gibson learns that it takes more than just a rocket and a space helmet: It takes math, science, physical stamina, mental perseverance—and, oh yes, a dream.

This play introduces today’s young audiences to the glory days of the space program. Apollo to the Moon is an exciting look at the breathtaking risks and unforgettable heroism of the American Space program. Told through the lens of one young man’s dream to become an astronaut, this thrilling story takes you on the journey that gripped the nation.

AAC CT SS GingerJeremy Matthey stars in this one-man show written by Mary Hall Surface, directed by John Isner with music by Lori Isner.

The 2015/2016 season of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor, Arkansas BlueCross Blue Shield; Fall Season Sponsor, Centennial Bank; Spring Season Sponsors, The Fine Arts Club of Arkansas and Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Foot Care’; Additional Support Provided by The Morris Foundation and Media Sponsor, Little Rock Family Magazine.

On Walking/Walking On steps out for UALR Theatre Arts & Dance season

Posted on by

7.8.15-3The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s first theater production of the 2015-16 season will take an in-depth look at an ordinary activity  — walking — starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the University Theatre.

“On Walking/Walking On” is an ensemble-based, devised performance on the activity, theme, and significance of walking using improvisation, storytelling, music, and comedy.

Performances run from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11. Wednesday through Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., and the Sunday show will commence at 2:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $10 for the public and $5 for UALR students, employees, and seniors.

For more information or advance tickets, call the Box Office at 501.569.3456. Tickets will also be available the day of each show one hour before show time.

“This piece is about walking as an activity, walking as a fundamental means of experiencing the world, walking as metaphor,” said Dr. Lawrence D. Smith, director and assistant professor of theatre.

Walking is a commonplace and universal experience, Smith said.  “We seldom really pay attention to it; however, walking informs language and how we think about life.”

“On Walking/Walking On” is a point of departure, a short journey, a number of entrances, crosses, and exits; arrivals, climbs, descents, circles, and returns; the end of a journey, coming full circle, starting anew.

The cast members are UALR students Emily Bruner, Gabrielle Confer, Keaton Duersch, Corrie Green, Katherine Greer, Yannick Ibanez, Dustin Rhodes, Mike Vowell, Cory Watson, Priscilla Webb, and William Wofford.

Creative Class of 2015: Katie Campbell

Posted on by

Katie CampbellKatie Campbell is a director, performer, and teaching artist. She is originally from North Carolina but for six years has found an artistic home in Little Rock as a company member with the Arkansas Art Center Childrenʼs Theater (AACCT), director and performer with the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, and improvisor with ImprovLittleRock and The Joint Venture.  She is also the co-founder and co-director of the youth improv comedy company, Armadillo Rodeo.

Campbell is a 2015 Jim Henson Family Grant recipient for her devised and directed shadow puppet play for young people, The Ugly Duckling.  That production recently played to sold out houses at the AACCT Studio Series enrapturing children and adults alike.

She has an MFA in directing Theatre for Young Audiences from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is also an alumna of the North Carolina School of the Arts where she studied acting with Tanya Belov, voice with Mary Irwin, circus arts with Dikki Ellis, and movement/mask work with Robert Francesconni and Mollie Murry.

Some of her favorite roles include Adriana in The Comedy of Errors with the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (2010); Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac and Barbara in Night of the Living Dead AACCT Studio Series (2008);  Mouse in If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, If You Take a Mouse to School, and Merry Christmas Mouse! (AACCT Mainstage 2007-12).

Monday Musings: Kelly Kinard Fleming

Posted on by

Kelly FlemingToday launches a new feature on the Little Rock Culture Vulture: Monday Musings.

Little Rock cultural personalities will be asked nine questions (there were nine muses).

Up first is Kelly Kinard Fleming. A member of Little Rock’s Arts & Culture Commission, she is also Development Director at the Arkansas Arts Center. A graduate of the Clinton School of Public Service, she has previously worked at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre in development and marketing.

Monday Musings

-My earliest memory was (age and incident)

From birth to age 5 I lived in the booming metropolis of Sikes, Louisiana. The post office was in the general store. My dad was principal of the K-12 school and our house was on the edge of the school’s playground. I remember walking next door for a fresh cookie and carton of cold milk from the sweet lunchroom ladies. Oh, and the water in town was brown. I remember taking baths in clean, but brown, water.

-When I was in high school and imagined my adulthood, I thought I would be

…a novelist, a lawyer or both. Surprise! I’m neither.

-Star Wars, Star Trek, Battle of the Network Stars, or Dancing with the Stars?

If I MUST, Dancing with the Stars.

-I most identify with the Winnie the Pooh character of…

…there’s something in all of them we identify with, don’t you think? Much like the Wizard of Oz characters. But I’ll say Christopher Robin because he is cheerful and gets along well with others.

-The performer I’d drop everything to see is

…Bette Midler.

-My first paying job was

…babysitting. Swore I’d never have kids.

-A book I think everyone should read is

….Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

-My favorite season is…

….Spring. Great convertible weather.

-We are all geeks (or experts) about something. My field is

….shopping on the cheap.

2016 season for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre announced

Posted on by

AST 2016Last week, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre announced the four titles for the 2016 season, their 10th season of bringing the Bard and more to Central Arkansas.

Actual performance dates and casting will be announced later.

The 2016 outdoor Shakespeare: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Directed by Robert Quinlan
A comic romp of epic proportions, this magical comedy and its lovers, fairies, and oh-so-Rude Mechanicals are the perfect company for an Arkansas midsummer night.

The 2016 tragedy: ROMEO AND JULIET
Directed by AST Producing Artistic Director Rebekah Scallet
Romance, intrigue, and adventure abound in Shakespeare’s timeless tale of the original
star-crossed lovers caught between their
warring families.

The 2016 musical: WEST SIDE STORY
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein , Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed and Choreographed by Jeremy Williams
This beloved musical transplants the story of Romeo and Juliet to 1950s New York City, where the warring Jets and Sharks stand in the way of true love.

The 2016 Family Shakespeare: TWELFTH NIGHT
This one-hour Family Shakespeare adaptation takes us to the island of Illyria, where shipwrecked Viola must disguise herself as a boy—causing complications in her love life.

Creative Class of 2015: Mark Binns

Posted on by

mark binnsComposer, arranger, vocal coach, musical director, pianist, teacher, performer.  Mark Binns is all of these things.

He has been involved with Arkansas Repertory Theatre for six seasons now as a keyboardist, musical director and composer. Mark has been the Rep’s musical director for White Christmas, Les Miz, Memphis, and Elf. He has is currently at work on their upcoming The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  For the Rep, he has also worked on their Summer Musical Theatre Intensive for several years.

In addition to the Rep, he often works with the Studio Theatre and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.  Other regional Musical Director credits include Hairspray, Oliver!, Cinderella, Pippin, The Last Five Years and Fiddler on the Roof. He has composed original music for the University of Central Arkansas’ production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle and served as Vocal Director/Arranger for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Fantasy.

When not working on a show, he can often be found performing at the Lobby Bar, the Afterthought or any number of other venues in Little Rock.