Pendergraft to Direct 2022 Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre
Essence Robinson, Stacy Pendergraft, and Katie Greer gather in the rehearsal room for "Much Ado About Nothing."
Stacy Pendergraft, associate professor in the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, is taking her career to new heights by directing the first Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre production to hit the stage since 2019.
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is the state鈥檚 only professional Shakespeare company and is based at the University of Central Arkansas. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre returns with one of Shakespeare鈥檚 most beloved works, 鈥淢uch Ado About Nothing.鈥�
“鈥橫uch Ado About Nothing鈥� will transport audiences to the cultural oasis of Messina, a crossroads of Spanish, North African, and Italian influences,鈥� Pendergraft said. 鈥淒on Pedro and his band of men arrive at the lush court of Leonato, encountering love, the high-spirited wit and exacting lessons of the women who are its driving force.”
While Pendergraft, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, has taken the stage in several AST productions, this will be her first time directing. Her previous AST performances include 鈥淭he Merry Wives of Windsor,鈥� 鈥淔iddler on the Roof,鈥� 鈥淟ove鈥檚 Labour鈥檚 Lost,鈥� and 鈥淭he Music Man.鈥�
鈥淚 directed a production of 鈥楢rms and the Man鈥� for UCA in 2018 and got acquainted with Shauna Meador, executive managing producer of AST,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e formed a good friendship, and Shauna called me last summer and said, 鈥榶ou were the first person I thought of.鈥� I was moved by that particular kind of faith from someone who had waited for the opportunity to work with me again. That kind of belief in your ability means a tremendous amount.鈥�
Joining Pendergraft from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock are Katie Greer, an alumnae with degrees in theatre and dance, who will serve as Pendergraft鈥檚 assistant director and choreographer. Meanwhile, Essence Robinson, a spring 2022 graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in theatre, will serve as a sound/light intern.
“Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre has taught me a tremendous amount of things about both the lighting and sound aspects,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淐oming here to work, I didn’t know that I would learn as much as I have thus far, and what I am really grateful for is how I have also met many wonderful people during the process. It is definitely an opportunity that I note as profound.”
Beatrice, played by Elizabeth Jilka and Benedick, played by Steven Marzolf, star in “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre will perform 鈥淢uch Ado About Nothing鈥� June 16-18 at the Global Campus Theatre at the University of Arkansas as well as at UCA鈥檚 Arkansas Bridges Larson Theatre.
The return of the festival also brings a new partnership with the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to utilize the talents of the U of A鈥檚 graduate performance and design students and faculty.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever known of a partnership quite like this,鈥� Pendergraft said. 鈥淭here are three universities at work, and that requires a phenomenal amount of partnership, shared support, and communication. I am proud, honored, and challenged to be a part of this great event. I want to give our students the kind of experience that they need to be successful in their future careers. It鈥檚 a delightful thing to do.鈥�
