Tag Archives: Ruth Shepherd

Future of The Rep focus of Clinton School program today at 12 noon

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Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state’s largest nonprofit professional theatre and one of the most critically acclaimed performing arts organizations in the region.

Since The Rep announced it was suspending operations on April 24, a groundswell of support has emerged from the community. Volunteers hosted a Rally for the Rep on May 1 directly in front of the theatre.

Ruth Shepherd has been involved with The Rep for more than 40 years. Shepherd first served as chair of Friends of The Rep before joining the theatre’s staff for three years as Development Director in the 1980s. She chaired the committee that hired Bob Hupp, who served as producing/artistic director for 17 years, and was serving as chair-elect when the theatre announced its plans to go dark on April 24.

Shepherd, along with long-time board member Bill Rector and Rep founder Cliff Baker, are serving as an Interim Leadership Team as The Rep reimagines itself to be Arkansas’ Theatre that is professional, affordable, and sustainable.

All Clinton School Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.

Repertorium Praeter Theatrum

An Update on Plans to #SaveTheRep!

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Since the Arkansas Repertory Theatre made the announcement on April 24, 2018, that the theatre were suspending operations, several important steps have been taken.

Overall, they can be summarized by the mantra which is guiding the Rep leadership during this time:  PROFESSIONAL, AFFORDABLE, & SUSTAINABLE.

  • Within just the first few weeks since the news broke, the Rep has received more than 550 gifts totaling almost $220,000.  Every dollar given right now is being matched by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, and monthly and multi-year pledges make it possible to be even more generous with giving.
  • The Rep Board has appointed a volunteer Interim Leadership Team consisting of Rep founder Cliff Baker and Rep board members Bill Rector and Ruth Shepherd.
  • The Rep has formed an “Our Next Act” Steering Committee of board and community leaders who are examining every facet of Rep operations and make recommendations to The Rep Board for action. The aim is to have a plan by mid-August about how to reopen The Rep after this brief intermission.
  • The theatre is in the process of selling the building which was used as actor housing.  That will reduce our property debt by nearly half.  There are many more options for housing actors downtown near the Rep than there were when those apartments were originally acquired.
  • The Rep is planning community listening sessions to get Little Rock’s best thinking and ideas. Check soon on the Rep’s website to learn how you can participate.  (Also, make plans to attend the Clinton School presentation on the future of the Rep featuring Ruth Shepherd on Thursday, June 7 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall.)
  • The education programs will continue throughout the summer with programming for rising K-12 students. There are still a few slots left, so check the education section of the Rep’s website for class information.

While much progress has been made, the work is far from over.  The Rep still needs support from the public, financial and otherwise.

Repertorium Praeter Theatrum

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.”

48 Hour Film Project Awards Tonight

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48HFP logoThe Little Rock Film Festival’s 48 Hour Film Project is nearly wrapped for 2013. This year was a whirlwind of anticipation, anxiety, excitement, and energy as the 31 teams produced short cinematic treasures in only 48 Hours. The audiences guffawed, gasped, and sometimes groaned before selecting their Top 10 favorites of the screening nights.

The following films will be playing at the Best Of Screening and Awards Ceremony tonight at 7pm at Wildwood Park for the Arts. The lineup in no particular order as voted by the audiences are:

  • La Grande Fete by Flokati Films (Operetta)
  • Surprise Party by AndrewMFilms (Comedy)
  • Vacation by Something Clever (Vacation or Holiday Film)
  • Abattoir by Team Bearshark (Buddy Film)
  • The Door by The Immaculate Production (Thriller/Suspense)
  • The Plumbmeler by Altered Egos (Martial Arts)
  • Last Chance Romance by Domino Pictures (Dark Comedy)
  • Drain by Raymond Roquello and His Orchestra (Found Footage)
  • The Third Save by Whiffle Powder Productions (Superhero)
  • Deuces! by Clever Alibi Productions (Mystery).

In addition to playing the Top 10 Audience favorites at the Award Ceremony we will also announce and award the Best Film of Little Rock that will go on to represent the city at the national competition for the 48 Hour Film Project in Hollywood! The nominations were very difficult for the judges this year who will remain anonymous until after the ceremony and I don’t envy them because there were so many great films.

The nominations for the awards are as follows:

Best Film

  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Joshua Harrison)
  • La Grande Fete Flokati Films (Johnnie Brannon)
  • Surprise Party AndrewMFilms (Andrew McMurray)
  • Metafloor Fort Smith Film Mafia (Jeff Carter)

Best Directing

  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Joshua Harrison)
  • Surprise Party AndrewMFilms (Andrew McMurray)
  • Miss Otis Regrets Down River Productions (David Bogard)
  • Now You See Me Grundle Productions (Kelly Griffin)

Best Story

  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Joshua Harrison, John Schol, Matthew Maguire)
  • Last Chance Romance Domino Pictures (Lauren Walker)
  • Miss Otis Regrets Down River Productions (Jim Linsley, Wanda Linsley, Jim Jolly, David Bogard, Sherri Andrews, Ruth Shepherd)
  • Surprise Party AndrewMFilms (Andrew McMurry, Matthew McMurry, Joe Ochterbeck, Austin Blunk, Garrett Whitehead, Spencer Waldner)

Best Actor

  • Now You See Me Grundle Productions (Jay Morgan)
  • Drain Raymond Roquello and his Orchestra (Mike Brabender)
  • Surprise Party AndrewMFilms (Austin Blunk)
  • Shillelagh Dirty Gnome Productions (Ed Lowry)

Best Actress

  • The Door The Immaculate Production (Holly Mary Anne Hall)
  • Community Cove Filmmakers Corner (Keshia Walton)
  • La Grande Fete Flokati Films (Karen Clark)
  • Dateable Evan Pierce Productions (Rachel Jarchow)

Best Cinematography

  • Last Chance Romance Domino Pictures (Brent Walker)
  • MetaFloor Fort Smith Film Mafia (Charlie Ryan)
  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Joshua Harrison)
  • Drain Raymond Roquello and His Orchestra (Charlie Brady)

Best Editing

  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Joshua Harrison)
  • Drain Raymond Roquello and His Orchestra (Charlie Brady)
  • Metafloor Fort Smith Film Mafia (Charlie Ryan)
  • Vacation Something Clever (Jack Turner, Lorenzo Balderas, Drew Brown)

Best Music

  • La Grande Fete Flokati Films (Sam Clark et al.)
  • Dateable Evan Pierce Productions (Jonathan Glisson)
  • Forever and Again One of Many (Various)
  • Abbatoir Team Bearshark (Matthew Cronk, Luke Fain)

Best use of Prop

  • Shillelagh Dirty Gnome Productions
  • Community Cove FilmMakers Corner
  • La Grande Fete Flokati Films

Best use of Line of Dialogue

  • Now You See Me Grundle Productions
  • Plumb Out of Luck Heads or Tales
  • Tai Chi Child The Movie: The Movie die katze und die hunde

Best use of Character

  • Dateable Evan Pierce Productions
  • Scheit Happens Kaleidoscope Media
  • Halloween Revenge Reel J

More information about the films and the 48 Hour Film Project including where you can get tickets for the Awards Show can be found at http://www.48hourfilm.com/littlerock. You can also email littlerock@48hourfilm.com for more info.