Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Online Enhances Arts Live
Theater company continues to broaden horizons
Northwest Arkansas’ Arts Live Theatre is well established in the community — after all, it’s been around since 1983, when it started out as a touring company offering educational theater productions statewide. In 2000, the company’s mission shifted to producing theater with all-youth casts, and, when he took over as executive director in 2005, actor/ director/playwright/agent Mark Landon Smith launched Arts Live on a trajectory that includes up to 14 productions per season in addition to a slate of workshops and classes for its young artists. Even covid-19 couldn’t stop Smith’s momentum, and this week he answered some questions for What’s Up! about where Arts Live finds itself after almost a year of surviving in a global pandemic.
Q. What did you plan for 2020 that fell flat? And what did you DO in 2020 that was way better than you hoped it would be?
A. In March 2020 we had began rehearsals for “The Little Mermaid,” but quickly realized due to the pandemic, we would have to postpone the production. We also had to cancel the remainder of our in-person production season. We shifted to virtual options very quickly by offering classes, workshops and productions online. This has been very successful for us and has opened Arts Live to a larger community; we now have young artists all over the country participating in Arts Live programming. We took the challenges and made them opportunities.
Q. What’s your biggest goal for 2021 for Arts Live?
A. To continue offering exciting and innovative virtual programming, to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones to serve all communities. And to ease our way back into in-person programming when we feel safe to do so.
Q. Are you still planning a 2021-22 season? Or have you kind of shortened that time frame while you wait to see what happens with covid?
A. We are planning a 202122 season with virtual classes, productions and workshops and are keeping our eye on how things develop regarding in-person. When we do return to in-person, we will continue virtual programming as it has been so successful and we see the benefit to the communities we serve of having both options.
Q. What should we be looking forward to for Arts Live in 2021?
A. We have some terrific classes being offered for all ages up to 18, a series of upcoming workshops, auditions and productions. We have been and are developing original scripts and adaptations, including “Alice in Cyberland,” which we adapted last year into virtual theater and was published and is now being produced around the country. We are currently developing the ALT original musical “Rock Dogs” for virtual performances and the comedy “Quarantine Sweet Sixteen” by Louanne Kitterman.” As we look into spring, we will be producing additional online musicals, known and original works including a script being written by ALT actor/playwright Jae Hurd. We also have several special events scheduled including Punbags, the ALT comedy improv group, and are developing a YouTube and Instagram series.
Q. Do you have a time frame for when in-person events will return?
A. We do not have a time frame at this time as we continue to monitor the situation and talk with other producing companies about their plans of going in-person. We are keeping all possibilities in mind and making plans for all contingencies. The positive result of covid-19 has been Arts Live realizing the benefit of virtual learning that engages students, audiences and teaching artists throughout the country and has strengthened the organization.
Q. What are the next BIG goals for the company?
A. Arts Live wants to make outreach, collaborations and relationship development a priority so we can serve a communities.
Jan. 24
“SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY” — Through Feb. 14, streaming from TheatreSquared. $20-$35. theatre2.org.
Jan. 25
MAKE A PAPER SNOWFLAKE — All day, Fort Smith Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. fortsmithlibrary.org.
CRAFTING WITH MS. MAYRA — 10 a.m., Rogers Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. rogers publiclibrary.org.
VIRTUAL GALLERY TOUR — “Three in 30,” 11:30 a.m., Crystal Bridges Museum via Zoom. Free. Register at 657-2335 or crystalbridges.org.
CATCH ‘EM ALL AT THE LIBRARY — For those who love Pokemon, 4 p.m., Rogers Public Library via Zoom. Free. Register at rogerspubliclibrary.org.
BOXED BOOK SOCIETY MEETING — “Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor, 5 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. For teens. faylib.org.
Jan. 26
PRESCHOOL VIRTUAL STORY TIME — 11:30 a.m., Springdale Public Library via Facebook. Free. springdalelibrary.org. LUNCH WITH LIVE IN AMERICA — El Paso/Juarez, noon, The Momentary via Facebook and YouTube. Free. themomentary.org.
COLORIN, COLORADO — Spanish/ English story time, 2 p.m., Rogers Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. rogerspubliclibrary.org. SLEUTH OR CONSEQUENCES — “The Scholar” by Dervla McTiernan, 6 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library via Zoom. Free. Register at faylib.org.
“I LOVE LUCY” TRIVIA — 6:30 p.m., Fort Smith Public Library via Facebook. Free. fortsmithlibrary.org.
Jan. 27
OFF THE CUFF COOKING — 10 a.m., Fort Smith Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. fortsmithlibrary. org.
VIRTUAL GALLERY TOUR — “Three in 30,” 11:30 a.m., Crystal Bridges Museum via Zoom. Free. Register at 657-2335 or crystalbridges.org. LITERARY CONSTRUCTORS — Listen to a story then build a Lego structure inspired by it, 4 p.m., Rogers Public Library via Zoom. Free. rogerspublic library.org.
MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY — With Charlotte Buchanan-Yale, 4 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library via Zoom. Free. Register at faylib.org.
Jan. 28
AFTERSCHOOL WORKSHOP — Book Journals, 4 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library via Facebook and YouTube. Free. For children. Register at faylib.org.
KUAF ANTIRACISM FORUM — The political history of Arkansas, the creation of the current electorate of the South and its racist roots, and how through the state’s leadership, Arkansas managed to not follow in the footsteps of Nixon’s Southern Strategy as strongly as other Southern states, with moderator Kyle Kellams, 6 p.m., Fayetteville Public Library via Zoom. Free. Register at faylib.org.
LIVE! IN NWA — Terra Nova Kings, 6-8 p.m., JJs in Fayetteville. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Tanner Usrey with Whiskey Outlaws, 8 p.m., George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. $10-$12. georgesmajesticlounge.com.
Jan. 29
VIRTUAL ARCHITECTURE TOUR — Frank Llloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, 11:30 a.m., Crystal Bridges Museum via Zoom. Free. Register at 657-2335 or crystalbridges.org.
LIVE! IN NWA — Maud Crawford, 5-7 p.m., JJs in Bella Vista. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — 1 Oz Jig, 6 p.m., George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. $7. georgesmajesticlounge.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Mike & Grady, 8-10 p.m., JJs in Rogers. jjsgrill.com.
Jan. 30
LIVE! IN NWA — Terra Nova Kings, 5-7 p.m., JJs in Bella Vista. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Maud Crawford, 7-9 p.m., JJs in Springdale. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Take Cover, 8-10 p.m., JJs in Fayetteville. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Whippersnapper, 8-10 p.m., JJs in Fort Smith. jjsgrill.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Cam Spinks, 8:30 p.m., George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. $10. georgesmajesticlounge.com.
Coming Soon!
LIVE! IN NWA — Gary Hutchison’s Birthday Bash, Feb. 5, George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. georges majesticlounge.com.
“BUYER & CELLAR” — A comedy, Feb. 5, Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers. 631-8988 or arkansaspublictheatre.org.
LIVE! IN NWA — Nace Brothers, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12, George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. $10. georgesmajestic lounge.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Ronnie Milsap, April 10, Temple Live in Fort Smith. $35-$75. templelive.com.
LIVE! IN NWA — Tech N9ne, April 15, Temple Live in Fort Smith. $25. temple live.com.