Bard lovers and brew lovers unite!

Argenta Community Theatre will be transformed into a lantern-lit beer garden as we share an evening of beer tasting, hearty appetizers, and revelry. You’ll also be treated to Broadway Star Lawrence Hamilton’s exquisite vocal stylings as he sings from Big River, the infectious live folk/jazz/rock/pop tunes of Don’t Stop Please, and musings on Huck Finn from Porter Prize-Winning poet Greg Brownderville.

Argenta Community Theater
Saturday, March 10
7:00pm – 11:00pm
$75 per person

RSVP on Facebook

Warwick Sabin, publisher of Oxford American, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Starving Artist Cafe will provide delicious fare; wine and beer will flow from the bar; fantastic prizes will be on the block in our silent auction; and representatives from Vino’s, Diamond Bear, and other local brewers will be on hand to discuss the beers you’ll taste. Don’t miss this chance to toast the Bard and support Arkansas’ only live professional Shakespeare Theatre!

*No one under 21-years old admitted. ID’s will be checked at the door.

Purchase Tickets
Contact Liz Parker at lizp@uca.edu or 501-852-0702.

Or visit PK’s in downtown Conway.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery.

As the year draws to a close, I write to express my gratitude to you, our loyal AST members. This past season is one that will forever remain with me, as it was a year of becoming fully acquainted with what makes this organization tick and with what it takes to sustain a professional theater. In taking on the role of Executive Director, I forged relationships with so many wonderful people in Central Arkansas, impressive people who value the arts in their community and who are now dedicated friends, willing to put in mighty long hours to see that Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre becomes a sustainable organization and a destination for tourists well beyond the limits of Conway.

And we are making significant strides. Our 2011 pre-season was all about spreading the word about AST, and with a sleek new logo, we did just that, establishing a presence in- and outside of Conway. We took the Bard Ball to the Governor’s Mansion, no less, and had a celebration there of Arkansas writers, musicians, and artists that was both fun and raised ample funds. In the spring we had our first annual Shakespeare Scurry, our fun-run through the Hendrix campus, a family-friendly affair that we are making a yearly tradition. Not only did we sell more tickets in 2011 than ever before, we also saw performances move outside to The Village at Hendrix, as well as into Argenta Community Theater. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a huge hit, and Chris Crawford (our Joseph) was mobbed by fans in the lobby of Reynolds after every performance. Because of you, all shows had successful runs.

The most exciting piece of news for the upcoming season is the hiring of our new Producing Artistic Director, Rebekah Scallet.  Rebekah arrived in early August from Illinois Shakespeare with profound experience in marketing, development, artistic direction, and teaching and directing Shakespeare. What’s more, she shares both my Arkansas roots and my enthusiasm for the important role AST does and will play in establishing our community as the center for artistic excellence in the state. I am thrilled to have such an impressive, talented person take over the reins of AST. Certainly I will remain profoundly involved as Board President, aiding Rebekah and this organization that I love and value. As I have said to many of you in person, I will always remain the most ardent champion of AST.

I am excited to announce that our 2012 season will see Rebekah at the directing helm of Twelfth Night, the outdoor production that will be performed both at The Village at Hendrix in Conway and Wildwood in Little Rock.  Rebekah has planned a season that will thrill our dedicated members as well as draw in those who are still unfamiliar with AST. Rounding out our 2012 season will be Richard III and Big River, as well as a children’s version of The Tempest, directed by veteran AST company member, Josh Rice.

As the end of the year draws to a close, please remember us in your charitable giving. AST relies on individual and corporate donations to fund over 60% of its budget, a budget that is now close to $300,000. If you have not joined as a 2012 member, please do so today. You can donate online today, or click here for a printable membership form that you may return to us with your donation.  We want to keep professional theater in Conway, but we need your help. Many thanks in advance. And save the date for Bard Ball: March 10th at Argenta Community Theater in North Little Rock!

Since I was a kid, I always thought of the Mississippi River as magical.  I loved imagining the explorers making their way down the mighty Mississippi and “discovering” new lands and people.  My childhood reading of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, coupled with visits to Mud Island in Memphis, reinforced those romantic images.

It also added new visions of Huck and Jim floating down the river and getting involved with ridiculous schemes and scrapes on their journey to freedom.

Writer William Hauptman and country music singer/songwriter Roger Miller must have been haunted by similar visions, and in 1984 they brought their talents together to create Big River, a musical retelling of Twain’s classic novel. Their project went on to win three Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book.

In thinking of what musical to program for AST’s 2012 season, Big River seemed a perfect fit.  Like Shakespeare, Twain was a keen observer of humanity and its contradictions.  Hauptman and Miller have captured Twain’s novel brilliantly, and have found a way to bring Huck’s dilemma to life on stage:  should he send his soul straight to the devil by helping the slave Jim to escape, or do the “right” thing and obey the law by returning Jim to his master?  On top of that, the songs are alternatively bright and soul-stirring, capturing the flavor of the rural old south with strains of the fiddle, banjo, and harmonica.  All together, it is a musical that kids, entranced with the power of that Mighty Water, or adults, enjoying Twain’s sharp wit, can enjoy together.

Like me, they ventured out into the world far from home.  They are separated from each other by a storm at sea, and Viola is washed ashore on the unknown island of Illyria.  Distraught over her loss and not sure how to take care of herself in this new world, Viola disguises herself as a boy (who looks a lot like Sebastian) to survive.   Of course, romantic and comic hijinks ensue, but what captivates me about this story is watching the lost twins make their way back to one another.  Their reunion at the end of the play catches my breath and brings tears to my eyes every time.  They have each gone out on their own, had adventures, gotten involved in sword fights, and fallen in love, but when they find each other again, they find home.

AST will hold auditions and tech staff interviews for our 2012 summer season on Saturday, November 19, in the Snow Fine Arts Center located on the University of Central Arkansascampus in Conway, AR. Auditions will begin at 9 am and conclude at 3 pm. We will be casting actors of a variety of ages and ethnicities–all are encouraged to apply.

To arrange an audition appointment, e-mail a headshot and resume to

Arkansasshakespearetheater@uca.edu

or mail it to:
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre
P.O Box 5136
Conway, AR  72035

If you have any time conflicts on the 19th, be sure to include that information with your submission.  Direct any questions to arkansasshakespearetheater@uca.edu.

At auditions, we would like to see two contrasting classical monologues (at least one must be by Shakespeare). To be considered for the musical, prepare 16 bars of music and be sure to bring sheet music for the accompanist. Unlike previous years, we will not be holding call backs the same day as the auditions. AST is a professional Equity theatre operating on an U/RTA contract.  We will be hiring Equity, non-Equity, and intern actors.  There is pay.

We are also holding interviews for technical positions that day.  We are currently looking for staff to work in the scene and costume shop, as well as electricians, scenic painters, stage managers, and others to work during our 2012 season.  Both staff positions and internships are available.  If you would like to be considered for a tech position, please send your resume to the e-mail or address above.

The 2012 season is Twelfth Night, Richard III, Big River, and a short adaptation of The Tempest aimed at youth.  Performances will run from June 1st through July 1^st, 2012.

For out of town actors who would like to be considered for the 2012 season, we are also holding auditions in Chicago, date TBA.  Or you can submit a recorded audition on DVD or via the web of two contrasting classical monologues and sixteen bars of a song.

We will be serving appetizers, desserts, and drinks, all with a nautical theme that goes along with our 2012 season.  If you are confused about what sailboats have to do with Shakespeare, all will become clear when we announce next summer’s line-up at the party!

Admission is free to all 2012 AST Members. How do I become a member, you ask?  You simply make a donation.  Memberships will be taken at the door of the party.  What do I get for becoming a member, you wonder?  You get access to all sorts of behind-the-scenes moments with AST, including being the first to know which plays are being produced in next year’s season.  You will also get invitations to other “members-only” parties and events, access to special discounts, and your name printed in next summer’s program book as a member.

The party will be at the Marotte’s home, at 369 Pippinpost Drive in Conway.  For more information, send an e-mail or call us at 501/852-0702.  We hope to see you there!