Conway is home to the only Shakespeare theater in Arkansas, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre was founded in 2006 by former College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean Rollin Potter, who wanted to bring professional theater to central Arkansas. AST’s first year of productions was in 2007 and since then the company has produced a wide variety of Shakespeare’s plays each summer.
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre has a special connection to UCA, as it is housed in the department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Although most people who work with AST come from a theater background, anyone can volunteer. Shauna Meador, executive director for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, says getting involved in theater can be beneficial to everyone.
“Educationally, students can learn all kinds of things,” Meador said. “Theater teaches soft skills in communication and critical thinking, but also practical skills to go into all aspects of entertainment industries, like lighting and sound for theatrical productions that can transfer to other live events like concert lighting and sound; costume and prop design and production for theater and film; and construction.”
“The technical skills we teach are in high demand,” Meador said.
Although Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre brings in professionals from all over the country to perform in plays, each year auditions are open to those in the community who want to try their hand at being on stage. The company even offers internships to students in the Arts.
“We have auditions in the fall and our application for internships is open now.” Katie Aschbrenner, administrative assistant for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, said.
Aschbrenner only recently joined the staff at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre but has been involved in theater since she was a child.
“I started as the Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing admin in January last year, and have gradually taken on more and more AST job responsibilities. I went to school for theater and fell in love with it in the eighth grade,” Aschbrenner said. “My favorite memory was stage managing “Go, Dog, Go”with Trike Theatre in Bentonville. It was literally the children’s book come to life and it was hilarious! We rehearsed six hours a day and I’m pretty sure we spent the whole time laughing.”
Aschbrenner said that it is an exciting time for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.
“We are creating new programs and partnerships as well as bringing back old ones in a new way! It’s really great to have a front-row seat to this new chapter of AST. “ Aschbrenner said.
One of the programs Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is offering is their revised “AST Education LAB.”
The LAB, which stands for “learning and breakthroughs,” offers four classes: middle school acting, high school acting, “Bard Babies,” and stage combat. The classes will allow students a way to enhance acting and performance techniques.
Classes are six weeks long and are running from Jan. 14 through Feb. 18.
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s 2023 season will begin mid-June in Conway and end on July 1 in Fayetteville. The season will include “The Tempest,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged” and a Shakespeare cabaret. Dates to be announced.
Performances will be held in Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts at UCA before moving to the Global Campus Theatre in downtown Fayetteville through a partnership with the University of Arkansas.
