In a previous issue of The Echo, I wrote an article about Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, the state’s only professional Shakespeare company. As a theater kid, hearing that there is a Shakespeare company in Arkansas thrilled me. As a UCA student, hearing that performances are on the UCA campus thrilled me even more.

A not-so-little-known fact about me is I love theater. Growing up, I have always been involved in theater in one way or another. As a toddler, my parents enrolled me in dance classes where I learned tap, jazz and ballet. I even performed annually in a local theater’s production of “The Nutcracker” until stiffness and weakness from cerebral palsy made dancing an embarrassment and a chore. 

Though I left my ballerina dreams behind me, I never left the stage. While other kids enjoyed fishing and archery during summer camp, I practiced lines as Wendy Darling and Matilda. In middle school, I first performed in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I continued to perform in shows there until I was finally old enough to audition for a show at my high school. 

Being in theater is what made my high school years enjoyable and in my senior year, I was elected president of our Thespian Society troupe.

My love for theater comes from the various shows I saw as a child. I was privileged enough to grow up in a family that always expressed the importance of fine arts to me, taking me on trips to The Orpheum in Memphis to see Broadway musicals in person and to the community theater to watch original plays. These performances changed my life, as cheesy as it sounds. There is nothing quite like sitting in a dark theater, watching the spotlights go up as the curtains rise and the orchestra begins to play. 

I often hear from other students that there is nothing to do in Conway, or that UCA is boring. My advice to that is to go see a live theater performance. Remember, UCA students get two free tickets to shows at Reynolds Performance Hall per season, not including the Broadway series. There are also distinguished speakers coming to Reynolds Performance Hall as well, including “Blue’s Clues” own Steve Burns. For classic theater lovers, “The Wizard of Oz” is coming up in April, which yes, you can use one of your two free tickets on.

Another way to enjoy theater in Conway is to go see a performance at Conway High School. Conway High School’s spring musical this year is “Mary Poppins,” with performances from Thursday, April 20 to Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. For only $10 a ticket, I’d say that’s a perfect way to spend an evening while also supporting young actors. There’s also Red Curtain Theatre and of course, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. On campus, Bear Bait Improv performs occasional improv shows as well.

I’m proud to go to school in a place that encourages and appreciates the arts as much as I do. Theater is educational, fun and inspiring. It’s a hobby I encourage everyone to try out at least once.