- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock theater program named best in state

Janea Snyder — Wed, 08 May 2019 15:17:04 +0000

The popular OnStage Blog website has included University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s theater program in the 2019 edition of . The ranking, released May 6, lists ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as the top choice in Arkansas and commended the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance for its multiple community partnerships that include , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Center for Simulated Medicine, , , , and the . “Every year, deep dives into college theatre programs to find what we feel are some of the best in the nation,” according to the website. “While the perfect program is the one that fits best with the student, schools can become that fit with fantastic facilities, strong faculty, multiple performance opportunities, among other things. In truth, there are some schools that do that better than others and should be recognized for it.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s theatre and dance faculty are accomplished artists and provide one-to-one training and close student advising. Students have access to two performance spaces – a 640-seat theater and a 110-seat black box – and can participate in multiple productions each semester. “This is an unanticipated honor for which we are grateful,” said Yslan Hicks, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. “Theater and dance are fields of study and practice that require discipline, time management, and exceptional creative and collaborative skill sets. Our faculty and staff nurture and challenge each student to achieve a high level of accomplishment. We deeply value the university and community partnerships that further our ability to explore meaningful topics related to the human condition.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock offers the only Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance degree in the state of Arkansas. Dance students have access to two dance studios in the Center for Performing Arts, and both theater and dance majors have access to professional internships and study abroad opportunities. OnStage Blog is dedicated to Broadway and community theater show reviews as well as news about stage directors, actors, and technicians. The website’s School Edition will publish its list of the top 25 theatre program rankings at the end of summer. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students perform a scene from Shakespeare’s “As you Like It.” Photo by Benjamin Krain

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ballet Arkansas present Collision! BodyWorks

Janea Snyder — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 19:35:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas Little Rock Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and will host its first-ever combined dance concert April 25-28. This event is the launch of the partnership between the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock dance program and Ballet Arkansas. The university’s annual spring Bodyworks concert showcases choreography by dance faculty and Ballet Arkansas company member Deanna Stanton. A special highlight of the concert will be the premiere of “Collision,” choreographed by Ballet Arkansas Executive Director Michael Fothergill and performed by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and Ballet Arkansas company members. Dates and times of performances are as follows:

Thursday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. with reception at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m
Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2:30 p.m.

Friends of the Arts will host an opening night reception on April 25 beginning at 6:30p in the lobby of University Theatre. On Saturday, April 27, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will host a Spring Dance Festival master class from 4-6:30 p.m. for dancers ages 10-24. Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. The $20 registration fee includes class, dinner, and two tickets to see Collision! Bodyworks 2019 that evening. Registration is available at /theatre/dance-workshops/. All performances will be in the University Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts, 5900 University Drive. Tickets are $10 for general admission; $5 for students, military, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff. For tickets, call 501-569-3456 or reserve online at . Photo courtesy of Jamison Mosley

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown joins 2nd Friday Art Night line-up

Janea Snyder — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 15:03:02 +0000

Art patrons will now have one more option for their monthly art walks through Little Rock’s River Market District and Creative Corridor. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown will be participating in 2nd Friday Art Night for the first time, beginning April 12. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, at 333 President Clinton Ave., will host a dance pop-up event showcasing the partnership between with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Department of Theater Arts and Dance and . Performances will begin outside, weather permitting, and move indoors. Afterward, visitors can see Joe Jones’ 1935 historic mural, “The Struggle in the South,” which is housed at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown. “We are looking forward to being a part of this vibrant initiative,” said Ross Owyoung, director of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown. “The 2nd Friday Art Night brings together a diverse group of individuals who share a common passion for the arts, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown can showcase how the arts influence education and how education influences the arts.” The takes place in downtown Little Rock on the second Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Regular hosts include Historic Arkansas Museum, Old State House Museum, Central Arkansas Library System’s Butler Center and Cox Creative Center, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Bella Vita Jewelry, Matt McLeod Fine Art Gallery, Nexus Coffee and Creative, Gallery 221, and Mariposa Studio.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ballet Arkansas to host pop-up dance event April 12

Janea Snyder — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 21:18:45 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock dance program and Ballet Arkansas will host a pop-up dance event at 5 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown site in the River Market. The event will start outdoors, weather permitting, and move indoors to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown space at 333 President Clinton Ave. Performances are free and open to the public. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s freshman dance students will kick off the event with an outdoor dance performance. The event will then move inside ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock senior Emily Shellabarger performing a solo piece followed by “Collision,” a world-premiere piece choreographed by Artistic Director Michael Fothergill for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and Ballet Arkansas company members. Fothergill, co-artistic director Catherine Fothergill, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock dance professors Stephanie Thibeault, Stephen Stone, and Robin Brown will speak briefly about the partnership between ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Ballet Arkansas. “Collision” also offers a sneak peak of the university’s annual “Collision! Body Works” concert set for April 25-28 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. This year’s concert is being co-produced with Ballet Arkansas for the first time. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock dance students rehearse a dance they will perform on April 12 at a pop-up dance event co-hosted by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Ballet Arkansas. Photo by Benjamin Krain

BODYWORKS 2018 to showcase student, faculty choreography

Janea Snyder — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:08:18 +0000

The University of Arkansas Little Rock Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will host its BODYWORKS 2018 spring dance concerts April 19-22 along with a master class for young dancers. This year’s concert spotlights the work of student choreographers whose work was selected for presentation at the American College Dance Association Conference, as well as faculty and guest artists. The series opens Thursday, April 19, with special guest , featuring the choreography of Michael Fothergill. A pre-show reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Friends of the Arts, which provides scholarships to students who major in art, dance, music, and theatre. Guests are invited to stay for a post-show cake and punch reception to meet the choreographers, cast, and crew. As an added bonus, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance extends free admission to the opening night performance to anyone who has spent time on or backstage in the University or Haislip Theatres. Dates and times of performance:

Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22, 2:30 p.m.

On Saturday, April 21, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will host a Spring Dance Festival master class from 4-6:30 p.m. for dancers ages 10-24. The $20 registration fee includes classes, dinner, and two tickets to see BODYWORKS that evening. Registration is available online. All performances will be in the University Theatre in Center for Performing Arts, 5900 University Drive. Get . Tickets are $10 for general admission; $5 for students, students, military, and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and staff. For tickets, call 501-569-3456 or reserve online at /theatre/season/

Three from ��Vlog��ýLR recognized as Avant-Garde honorees

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:12:28 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student and web designer and two alumni were recognized as exceptional young artists during the ACANSA Arts Festival. Ashi Franke, a web designer in the ��Vlog��ýLR Office of Communications and Marketing, Erin Anson-Ellis, general manager of Ballet Arkansas, and Michael Bartholmey, an artist and founding member of Saline County Shakes in Benton, were awarded the distinction of Avant-Garde Sept. 24 at the Rob Robinson Alley Way in Little Rock. The Avant-Garde title was awarded to 10 young artists who demonstrate exemplary leadership and commitment to impacting and furthering their own art or the arts as a collective in the community. This year celebrates the third year for the ACANSA Arts Festival, which inspires public appreciation for the arts while enriching the economic and cultural vitality in the region. For more information, visit the. More information about the award winners: Ashi Franke is a web designer focusing on user experience and interface design. Pursuing her bachelor’s degree in web design and development, Franke studies web standards and accessibility as well as modern usability interface trends. Through her involvement with ��Vlog��ýLR and communication with young Arkansas artists, she encourages designers to pursue careers in technology and translate their artistic passions into accessible, beautiful websites and applications. She has made her mark by completing freelance design work for entrepreneurs and promoting the digital arts to both students and faculty at the university. She has given lectures on user experience and interface design, advertising, and competitive graphic design to middle school, high school, and college students.

Erin Anson-Ellis

Erin Anson-Ellis is a native of Little Rock and general manager of Ballet Arkansas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from ��Vlog��ýLR and graduated with honors in May 2012. Ellis became Ballet Arkansas’ production, company, and stage manager in 2013. In addition to her work at Ballet Arkansas, her credits include stage managing Wildwood Park for the Arts 2012 fall tour of “Lily and the Appleseed,” Shuffles and Ballet II’s 2014 and 2015 dance recitals, and various ACANSA performances in 2014 and 2015.

Michael Bartholmey

Michael Bartholmey has been involved in central Arkansas theaters since age 10. In 2012, he earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from ��Vlog��ýLR. He is a founding member of Saline County Shakes in Benton, a company dedicated to bringing classical productions to the public for free. Bartholmey recently directed and starred in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” this past summer. In the upper right photo, Ashi Franke, a ��Vlog��ýLR student and web designer, earned the distinction of Avant-Garde at the ACANSA Arts Festival. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ýLR Communications.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock theater program named best in state

����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ballet Arkansas present Collision! BodyWorks

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown joins 2nd Friday Art Night line-up

����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Ballet Arkansas to host pop-up dance event April 12