Ozark Arts Council Summer Workshop Theater presents
The Purple Brick Road
an original script by OAC Workshop Students
Performances:
Friday, September 4, 2009 at 7pm
Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 7pm
This workshop has provided the opportunity for students to create their own musical production. From concept to opening night, the workshop participants learn to write their own script, block scenes and create their own choreography. This student created-production opens at the Lyric Theater with a cast of six talented young performer that will leave you singing, dancing and laughing. Don't miss this entertaining parody of The Wizard of Oz.
The workshop was directed by Bryan Miller.
Performance: Saturday, May 30, 2009, 7pm
OAC's musical theater workshop is a partnership with Musical Theater International and Disney's Cinderella. The workshop covered musical theater from its opening rehearsal processes to the final production. The dedicated children spent five weeks meeting three times a week for a couple of hours to learn and prepare for the performance. Under the instruction of some very talented people, the children brought this fairy tale to life through song and dance.
The cast included: Lauren Brown, Christina Cartwright, Jericho Clanton, Maggie Cox, McKenzie Cox, GiGi Crenshaw, Anna Marie Eaton, Cameron Fischer, Tryston Fischer, Adam Hagler, Callie Johnson, Sophie Johnson, Hannah Jones, Scarlett Jones, Kenzie Mears, Peyten Norris, Samanatha Pheiffer, Jael Ramsey, Nina Ramsey, Hannah Smith, Harris Thomason, Jacey Washington, and Lillie Wilson. Choreography by Angel Norris. Volunteers Sara Brasher, Claudia Peters, and Serita Peters participated in last summer’s musical theater workshop, Godspell.
The workshop and performance was directed by Bryan Miller, who has spearheaded several educational programs for the OAC. Mr. Miller has a BFA from Southern Illinois University and is well known for his vocal performances and leading roles in community theater, most recently, Northark Drama’s Jekyll and Hyde.
"It was a joy to work with these young performers over the last five weeks," said Mr. Miller. "Watching the children grow during the course of the workshop to gain self confidence and poise is really rewarding."
The Ransom of Red Chief
Saturday, February 21, 2009, 6pm; Sunday, February 22, 2009, 2pm
The Tell-A-Tale Troupe of The Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock performed The Ransom of Red Chief at the historic 1929 Lyric Theater.
This classic story of children's literature has been adapted for touring by Alan Keith Smith, Associate Director of The Arts Center's Children's Theatre. and is based on the short story by O. Henry. Directing this touring production is Katie Campbell.
The classic tale centers around two bumbling kidnappers who travel to Summit, Alabama, looking to make a quick buck in order to finance a land scam back in Illinois. Young Johnny Dorset goes along with them willingly, because he gets to stay at their hideout, a cave in the woods just above town. There, the adventure begins as Johnny takes on several different characters from his imagination, and ultimately administers "supernatural tortures", the likes of which the kidnappers have never seen. In the end, a lesson is learned by all, including the obvious "crime does not pay".
Campbell explains that this tale is most probably the premise for which motion pictures like Home Alone were developed.
The cast for the touring production of The Ransom of Red Chief includes Kelsie Craig as Johnny Dorset; Brett Ihler as Bill; and Josh Rice as Sam.
The Tell-A-Tale Troupe travels statewide performing three plays each year. Intended to be both educational and entertaining, the plays are often the first live theatre experience for many school children. The Activity Guide is available for download (PDF).
All Arkansas Arts Center touring programs are supported in part by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Season sponsors include: The Wal-Mart Foundation; Bank of America; Horace C. Cabe Foundation: The Stella Boyle Smith Trust; The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston; Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation: Entergy Arkansas, Inc.; Union Pacific Foundation; Rebsamen Fund; Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, and Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
Performance: Friday, April 3, 2009 at 6pm; Family Ticket: $15
Children's Theater Workshop: Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10am; Workshop fee: $20
Based on the popular nursery rhyme, This Little Piggy Went to Market is written and directed by Josh Rice, Company Actor/Instructor at the Arkansas Arts Center’s Children’s Theatre.
This Little Piggy follows the lives of three young pigs down home on the Bayou. Although good pigs at heart, trouble always seems to follow them wherever they go. And, these three pigs have one thing on their minds: to fulfill their dream of becoming rock stars in a world famous jug band. They will do anything to make their dream come true, but they had better stick together or else Babineaux, the Bayou Market Butcher, will take bad little piggies and turn them into boudin.
This is fun, cartoonish romp is about telling the truth, being responsible, and the importance of friendship. The cast for the production includes Shawn Cox, Kelsie Craig, and Brett Ihler. This Little Piggy is appropriate for all ages.
All Arkansas Arts Center touring programs are supported in part by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Season sponsors include: The Wal-Mart Foundation; Bank of America; Horace C. Cabe Foundation: The Stella Boyle Smith Trust; The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston; Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation: Entergy Arkansas, Inc.; Union Pacific Foundation; Rebsamen Fund; Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, and Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
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