Tag Archives: Arkansas Repertory Theatre

2 Grants worth more than $1 Million Offered to Arkansas Rep

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Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Board of Directors has announced that they have received two matching grants worth more than one million dollars to fund The Rep’s Our Next Act campaign.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about these challenge grants. They make it possible for those who love The Rep to double their gift!” Ruth Shepherd, Board Chair-Elect said. “With these gifts the Windgate and John & Robyn Horn Foundations have said loud and clear, ‘We believe in the future of a re-designed Rep.’ So now we need everyone to help us earn that match.”

The John & Robyn Horn Foundation •
The John & Robyn Horn Foundation approved a challenge grant of $25,000 designated for “General Support.”

Windgate Charitable Foundation •
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre received a challenge grant today for $1,000,000. • “I am pleased to notify you that the Board of the Windgate Charitable Foundation has approved a grant of $1,000,000, with an enclosed grant payment of $75,000 for operating needs,” said John E. Brown III, Executive Director of the Windgate Charitable Foundation. The balance of $925,000 is offered as a challenge grant for the Our Next Act Campaign. John E. Brown III concluded his letter, “We wish you great success in the coming year.”

Board Chair, Brian Bush said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Windgate Charitable Foundation and the John & Robyn Horn Foundation. This gives our public campaign the start that we’ve needed.”

Ballet Arkansas in Concert this weekened

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In partnership with the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Ballet Arkansas is excited to present a three – year concert series, Ballet Arkansas in Concert, which pairs high profile works of classical & contemporary dance with musical accompaniment from world renowned musicians in the Spring of each year.

On May 4th – 6th at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Ballet Arkansas and Van Cliburn International Pianist Dr. Drew Mays take the stage for three stellar performances.

Featuring

  • Pas de deux from Agnes de Mille’s The Other

  • Christopher Wheeldon’s The American

  • Contemporary World Premiere by Artistic Director Michael Fothergill

In between pieces, Dr. Mays will present an engaging and stimulating discussion that highlights the lives of the composers, the finer points of their music, and our collaboration. After the completion of the dancing, Dr. Mays will continue to play a solo concert for Ballet Arkansas audiences to enjoy.

Performances are Friday, May 4 at 7:00pm, Saturday, May 5 at 7:00pm, and Sunday, May 6 at 2pm.  Tickets are $40 for adults, $25 for students/senior citizens.  Tickets are available at the discounted rate of $30 (25% discount) for a group of 5 or more.

PRESENTING SPONSOR
Stella Boyle Smith Trust

EDUCATION SPONSORS
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
Janna and David Knight
Marci and Stephen Warren

CONCERT D STEINWAY PROVIDED BY
Steinway Piano Gallery Little Rock

A Good Start for Arkansas Rep

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In the early days of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, it was commonly referred to by the shorthand of ART.  Along the way, that branding went away and the more common The Rep or Arkansas Rep was adopted.  Just as the Rep’s nickname changed, the location changed, and the way they hired actors changed (a move from a true repertory company into a different set of actors each show.)

As we have seen during the news of the past week, other things changed.  The public’s perception of the value of the Rep seems to have changed. And not for the better.  Last week’s announcement was a jolt of reality for many.

I bring this up because according to media reports, the Rep announced they have raised over $113,000 the week since they announced they were suspending operations.  That is 15% of their publicly stated goal of $750,000 to pay bills and stabilize financial obligations.

In order to fully sustain, the Rep will need to raise more than $750,000.  Estimates range between $1 million to $5 million depending on the timeframe being discussed.

But $113,000 in one week is a very good start for the Rep.  Equally as important, the Rep’s announcement has started a whole host of community conversations about the value of the arts, in general, and the Rep specifically.  People who probably have not thought about the Rep in a while are now thinking about it and talking about.  People who think about the Rep a lot are continuing to think and talk about it.

Tuesday’s Rally for the Rep crystallized the outpouring of positive response.  It brought people together to be civically and culturally engaged. It also raised some money.  Likewise, it offered a catharsis for those who were still reeling from the news of the Rep’s situation.   Organizers Skip Rutherford, Anna-Lee Pittman and Stacy Sells understood the need for folks to gather.  They kept the mood upbeat by a combination of speakers and live music.

Last week, right after the news, feelings were so raw.  It was a combination of shock and depression.  Not only was Little Rock on the verge of losing its professional Equity theatre, but friends were losing jobs.  Last week was “Shock” and “Pain” in the seven stages of grief.  Thankfully the “Anger” and “Depression” stages seemed to have been bypassed by most.

The Rally was a crystallization of “The Upward Turn.”  It is up to us as civically and culturally engaged individuals to make sure the process continues the Upward Turn and moves to Reconstruction and Hope.

Acceptance of the loss of the Rep is not an option. Not now, not in August, not Ever!

Remember to Rally for the Rep TODAY!

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In light of last week’s announcement from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the community is coming together to help save The Rep. Community volunteers are hosting a Rally for The Rep on Tuesday, May 1 at 5 p.m., directly in front of the theatre. Residents are encouraged to come out and show their support by donating to The Rep’s “Next Act” campaign.

“We were all devastated to hear the news that one of our community’s most iconic cultural institutions is on the verge of shutting down,” said volunteer organizer Anna-Lee Pittman. “From Little Rock to New York, the public outcry has been felt, and countless memories and stories of lives changed by The Rep have been shared. We hope this Rally will unleash a groundswell of support and renew our community’s commitment to keeping the theatre alive and properly funded for generations to come.”

The Greasy Greens will perform, founder of The Rep Cliff Baker will be in attendance, and special guests and friends of The Rep will make remarks.

“In order to continue operations, The Rep must raise $5 million,” said Dean of the Clinton School and volunteer organizer Skip Rutherford. “But in the immediate, there are vendor bills that need to be paid and a three-story facility to maintain. For people like me who love The Rep and who recognize its cultural significance for this city, now is the time to step up and make a contribution.”

For updates and additional details:  https://www.facebook.com/friendsofarkrep

Pulitzers Play Little Rock: Lawrence Hamilton in THE PIANO LESSON at Arkansas Rep

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LawrenceHamiltonAugust Wilson received his second Pulitzer for The Piano Lesson in 1990.   It was thirteen years later, that play would take the stage of Arkansas Rep in January 2003  And while he was not the lead, local favorite Lawrence Hamilton shone in the play.

Hamilton played Wining Boy, a musician and gambler who was smooth at hiding his secrets. (This being an August Wilson play, almost every character had secrets.)  Others in the cast were J. Bernard Calloway and Trish McCall as the brother and sister at the center of the play who were struggling about the future of a family heirloom.  Kevin E. Jones, Veronika G. Macon, Ron Scott, Dennis Bivings, and Marsha Murdock rounded out the cast.

The production was directed by Gilbert McCauley.  The design team included Mike Nichols (set), Yslan Hicks (costumes), Matthew Richards (lighting) and M. Jason Pruzin (sound).

Hamilton would revisit the role of Wining Boy in a production at Cape Fear Regional Theatre just a few weeks before his 2014 death.

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama being given. To pay tribute to 100 years of the Pulitzer for Drama, each day this month a different Little Rock production of a Pulitzer Prize winning play will be highlighted.  Many of these titles have been produced numerous times.  This look will veer from high school to national tours in an attempt to give a glimpse into Little Rock’s breadth and depth of theatrical history.

Pulitzers Play Little Rock: CRIMES OF THE HEART at Arkansas Rep

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Crimes of HeartSince at least Chekov, playwrights have been fascinated with a trio of women at the center of a play.  Southerner Beth Henley put her own twist on this concept with her 1981 Pulitzer Prize winner Crimes of the Heart.

Focusing on the three Magrath sisters and their assorted friends in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, the story looks at how they come together because one of the sisters is accused of shooting her estranged husband.  A comedy with some dark undertones, it was a hit Off Broadway and then transferred to Broadway after winning the Pulitzer.

Arkansas Rep presented it in April 1985.  The cast featured Evelyn Carol Case, Cathey Crowell Sawyer and Laurel Anne White as the three sisters.  Maggie Murphy, Jeff Bailey and Mark Johnson rounded out the cast.  The show was directed by Cliff Baker, who had  directed the same show (with a different cast and design team) at the Alley Theatre earlier in 1985.

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama being given. To pay tribute to 100 years of the Pulitzer for Drama, each day this month a different Little Rock production of a Pulitzer Prize winning play will be highlighted.  Many of these titles have been produced numerous times.  This look will veer from high school to national tours in an attempt to give a glimpse into Little Rock’s breadth and depth of theatrical history.

Pulitzers Play Little Rock: ‘NIGHT, MOTHER on Arkansas Rep stage with Oscar winner Mercedes McCambridge

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MercedesIt is not often that an Oscar winner has appeared in a play on a Little Rock stage.  But in the spring of 1986, Mercedes McCambridge starred in Marsha Norman’s ‘night, Mother at Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

She had moved to Little Rock a few years prior to live full time to be close to family. From time to time, she and Cliff Baker (the Rep’s founder) would have conversations about potential projects. But it was not until 1986, that the stars aligned.  By this point, she had moved away from Little Rock, but was still back from time to time to visit family.  (In an interview with the Arkansas Gazette, she also praised Fred Poe and noted that he was her travel agent for her many excursions.)

Appearing on stage with McCambridge in Norman’s two-hander was Rep veteran Cathey Crowell Sawyer.

Though noted for her film work, McCambridge had appeared on Broadway several times including opposite Little Rock native Ben Piazza in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and receiving a Tony nomination for her work in the play The Love Suicide at Schofield Barracks.

Prior to appearing at the Rep, she had recently toured in the play Agnes of God.  She related to the Gazette that she had been approached to do that play prior to Broadway but did not feel the character she was to play was believable.  When the national tour came about, a conversation with playwright John Pielmeier changed her mind.

Her last Broadway appearance was in Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize winning Lost in Yonkers.

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama being given. To pay tribute to 100 years of the Pulitzer for Drama, each day this month a different Little Rock production of a Pulitzer Prize winning play will be highlighted.  Many of these titles have been produced numerous times.  This look will veer from high school to national tours in an attempt to give a glimpse into Little Rock’s breadth and depth of theatrical history.