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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Selected to Dress Performers at Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade

John Hill — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:24:25 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is looking forward to spending his Thanksgiving break having an exciting and unforgettable experience. Gage Pipkin, a senior theatre arts major from Jonesboro, is working as a dresser at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Pipkin will be working the parade with a group of his friends and colleagues. He will be assigned 20 people to dress who will be accompanying the Louisiana state float. “I did get a good laugh when I read my description of the float costumes and it said, ‘jazzy suits,’ so I am immediately picturing jazz hands,” Pipkin said. “I’ve never been a dresser before, but I am ready to learn new skills. I’ve never been to the parade in person, and I’m glad that I can do it.” Pipkin’s Thanksgiving will begin with breakfast at 4 a.m. followed by getting the performers ready in their costumes. The parade goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afterwards, the group will take a nap and meet at a diner later on for Thanksgiving dinner. “It will be my first holiday not being at home,” he said. Pipkin came across the opportunity to work as a dresser at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from his friend, Shirlee Idzakovich, a costumer/stylist who lives in New York City. Pipkin met Idzakovich at a workshop she put on for students at the International Thespian Festival. “Idzakovich pays it forward by going to Thespian festivals across the country, meeting students, and holding workshops,” Pipkin said. Pipkin is looking forward to experiencing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person as he and his family are major fans who watch the parade every year. “Most of the time, I wake up on Thanksgiving morning to my mom telling me the parade has started,” Pipkin said. “My grandmother, who passed when I was in high school, also loved the parade. It’s crazy that we watch this every year, and now I’m going to help with the parade in person.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host ‘Turn Off the Light’ Nov. 12-13

John Hill — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 21:42:34 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host two performances of “Turn Off the Light: A Visual Narrative of Horror and Queerness” Nov. 12-13. The performances will take place at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 13, in the Haislip in the Center for Performing Arts. Gage Pipkin, a senior theatre arts major, created “Turn Off the Light” as his senior capstone performance. The cast includes Pipkin, Lillian Berry, a senior dance performance major, and Lizzie Schaefer, a junior dance major. “This capstone project is monumental and probably one of the most vulnerable pieces of work I have ever created,” Pipkin said. “I am taking a huge step personally and artistically by sharing this side of myself unapologetically. Throughout most of my university career, I have made it a goal to provide a theatrical event where drag art can be showcased. Personally, I want to demonstrate that drag is an art form and can be incorporated into a theatrical career. ” Pipkin workshopped his capstone project while attending the National Theater Institute’s Theatermakers Summer Intensive program over the summer. It features music from “Turn Off the Light,” a horror pop album by trans icon Kim Petras. “Foundationally, this project explores what happens when queer people take on the villainess role that society casts upon them,” Pipkin said. “Like in most of my work, I am inspired by the witch trials, horror themes, and the idea of being the ‘sinner.’ I really want the audience to think about moments where they may have judged people that are different from them and how our society is built to ostracize those that do not fit the mold.” The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Reserve your seat online at or call 501-916-3291. Facemasks are required. A preshow soiree will begin at 8:30 p.m. both evenings with refreshments and a meet and greet with local drag queens. Heather O’Sexual, Kitty Kouture, Crystal Queer, and Holly Matriomony-Olsen will join the preshow on Nov. 12, while Heather O’Sexual, Klassy Jean Kouture, and Human Size Doll will join the preshow on Nov. 13.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Completes National Theatre Institute Theatermakers Summer Intensive

John Hill — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:35:47 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student completed a highly competitive four-week summer theater program where participants create new work while training with professionals and emerging artists. Gage Pipkin, a senior theatre major and Donaghey Scholar from Jonesboro, finished the National Theater Institute’s Theatermakers Summer Intensive program during June and July at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. He was one of five playwrights in the 26-student program. Over the four-week program, Pipkin helped write four new shows, participated in daily master classes and workshops, and earned eight credit hours for college. “There are no other words to describe my experience at the National Theatre Institute Theatermakers program other than one challenging, magical state of existence,” Pipkin said. “To be able to make art unapologetically with others during such times is something I will never forget. NTI has opened the door to a whole community that I now cannot imagine my life without and taught me that art can be made anywhere as long as you have brave, trustworthy people in your company.” The National Theatre Institute led Gage to create a network of artists that he said will be valuable in his future career in the arts. “This program opened my world vastly to other artists,” Pipkin said. “Because we shared our artwork, I feel close to those people. Now I have a whole community of artists that is mainly on the East coast. My playwriting mentor for the program, we stayed in contact and we had a meeting about my work when I was in New York. Some of the other students may want to direct my work at their school. That is a possibility because of this program.” Two of the four original works that Pipkin wrote and were produced during the summer program include “ALEXANDRITE” and “OTHERWORLD: A Queer Nightlife Musical.” Set in a pseudo world reminiscent of the Salem witch trial period, “Alexandrite” centers on Ruby, a young woman who is sexually assaulted by the town’s pastor and later put on trial for being a witch. “It deals with taking power back and what happens when a person’s power has been stripped away,” Pipkin said. “’OTHERWORLD’ is the total opposite of ‘ALEXANDRITE.’ The play takes place in a fun, interactive nightclub environment. It’s like a children’s musical for adults, and it covers the journey of a fantasy club world.” Pipkin also earned an $8,000 scholarship to attend the Theatermakers Summer Intensive. He’s thankful to his mentors in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for their support. “I wouldn’t have been able to take part in this opportunity without the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Theatre Department which so passionately supports the creation of new student work,” Pipkin said. “It was here that I realized playwriting was not a job or career but a duty that we as artists should take on in order to make sure the stages in this world reflect our current human condition. This department gave me the tools I needed to pursue such opportunities to practice my craft. I just am continuing to learn to use these very tools.” In the upper right photo, Gage Pipkin, center, is one of five playwrights who participated in the National Theater Institute’s Theatermakers Summer Intensive program this summer. Photo by Isaak Berliner, resident photographer for the O’Neill Center.

Pipkin selected for Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

John Hill — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 16:32:23 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock playwright was selected for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Gage Pipkin, a sophomore theatre major and Donaghey Scholar from Jonesboro, wrote a play called, “Prisoners,” that was performed by four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students at Abilene Texas Convention Center on Feb. 24. The student performers include Taylor Green, senior theatre major; Harmon Christian Tobler, sophomore English major and theatre minor; Darryl Turner, senior theatre major; and Kenzie Long, junior mass communication major. During the festival, Turner and Green were selected to read a full-length play, and Turner received an award for the best performance for a full-length play. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students competed in the John Cauble One Act Play Reading Series. The Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Foundation Fund paid for the students’ travel to the festival. “’Prisoners’ is about the stigma people face when they enter the incarceration system,” Pipkin said. “T�� characters are not in a cell together, but their words connect their story.” Pipkin first wrote a 10-minute version of the play as a senior in high school. After a modified version of “Prisoners” was performed during ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Fringe V Festival in 2019, Pipkin expanded the script and submitted it for the American College Theatre Festival.

Sophomore theatre major and Donaghey Scholar, Gage Pipkin, rehearses a reading of his play with four student actors. Photo by Ben Krain.

“I knew I wanted to write about social change,” Pipkin said. “I had done some volunteer work with HUB, a homeless resource center in Jonesboro. I remember meeting a lady who had recently been released from prison during my time at the HUB. One day, I saw her in town and greeted her. I could tell the motion surprised her, but she smiled ear to ear.” He found inspiration for his characters in unexpected places, from newspaper articles to popular television shows. The character of Noah, a white male who killed a family of four while drunk driving and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, was based on a newspaper article Pipkin read. Tobler, who plays Noah, believes anyone who sees the performance will be moved by his character’s heartbreaking situation. “I think it’s a really good play for anyone who has a soul,” Tobler said. “I’m blown away every time I read the script.” Another character, Chastity, was based on a storyline from “This is Us.” Chastity is an African American woman who was arrested after her brother left a handgun in her car. The character of Dilon was sent to prison after killing his abusive stepfather, and the fourth character, Desiree, is a prostitute who has lost hope after constantly being in and out of the system. Turner, who plays Dilon, thought the play demonstrated how easily people in the prison system could be marginalized and lost. “I am very excited to be a part of this play, and I am more excited that it was written by a student I know,” Turner said. “It’s an amazing script that gives a voice to people in prison who don’t have a voice. My character’s violence stems from his stepfather’s violence. He committed a crime, but you can empathize with him.” At ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Pipkin has worked as a stage manager for “Detroit 76” and “Eurydice.” He also volunteers with Arkansas Thespians, a high school theater society, by teaching costuming workshops and judging acting competitions.

Fringe Festival to showcase original student plays, performances

Janea Snyder — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:27:07 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock students will stage their original plays and performance pieces during the university’s Fringe Festival, taking place April 2-5. Performances will begin nightly at 7:30 p.m. in the Haislip Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Doors open at 7 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s festival – presented by the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance – includes 12 new plays, monologues, and choreographic work from 11 playwrights. The festival is divided into two events: “PG to OMG” will be presented April 2 and April 4, and “Women’s Voices” will be presented April 3 and April 5. Many of the students created their work during the special topics course “Page to Stage” taught last fall. The student playwrights and directors have revised their written work this semester and brought the pieces to life onstage. Other work in the festival was generated in Dr. Lawrence Smith’s Introduction to Theatre and Dance course and by student majors interested in poetry and creative writing. “T�� works in the festival offer a range of content and theatrical styles,” said Stacy Pendergraft, associate professor and artistic director for the Fringe Festival. “Students have been free to explore subject matter that inspires and challenges their ideas of theatre-making.” Fringe V is directed by students and alumni, and for the first time the festival has a design component. Theatre major Thomas Jackson’s scenic design serves as his senior capstone project. In addition, Conor Van Lierop serves as lighting designer, and Blake Morris serves as sound designer. Students Mykenzie Gordon, Jessi Ley, Thomas Jackson, and Conor Van Lierop received Signature Experience Awards to support their creative works. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock freshman Gage Pipkin wrote and directed an original 10-minute play called “Prisoners,” which will be staged on two nights of the festival. “I am so glad to be involved with something that is presenting unconventional works,” Pipkin said. “A ton of work has been put in by all of those involved, and much of the work is student driven from the page to the stage.” The festival is for mature audiences age 18 and older because of adult themes, strong language, and sexual content.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces Donaghey Scholars for 2018-19

Janea Snyder — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:46:13 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock welcomes 25 new Donaghey Scholars for the 2018-2019 academic year. The Donaghey Scholars Program admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview. Admission decisions are based on academic record, test scores, leadership ability, community service, interest in other cultures, recommendation letters, admissions essays, and the interview. This year’s incoming class of Donaghey Scholars has an average ACT score of 31. Donaghey Scholars receive a financial package that includes full tuition and fees (up to 18 hours per semester), a stipend, financial assistance to study abroad, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program features an interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, discussion, and project-based learning that engages with the city of Little Rock. The students, hometown, high school and intended major are:

Emma Chambers, of Little Rock, Pulaski Academy, Studio Art
Alondra Cruz, of Little Rock, Mills University Studies High School, Business
Olivia Fitzgibbon, of Little Rock, eStem, Public Relations
Lucca Garcia, of Sheridan, Catholic High School, Nursing
Sadie Goss, of El Dorado, Parkers Chapel High School, Criminal Justice and Biology
Mohib Hafeez, of Little Rock, Lisa Academy West, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
LaTambria Hampton, of Jonesboro, Academies at Jonesboro High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
Jordan Hancock, of Benton, Benton High School, Art History
Meagan Herbold, of Mabelvale, Bryant High School, Physics and Mathematics
Khristina Huff, of Cleveland, Clinton High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
Sabah Ismail, of Fort Smith, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Political Science
Nicholas Jaeger, of Leslie, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Computer Science
Savannah James, of North Little Rock, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Political Science
Amelia Jilek, of Alexander, Bryant High School, Philosophy/ Pre-Law
Greyson Kauffman, of Cabot, Cabot High School, Criminal Justice and Psychology
Sam Koon, of Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, English/ Pre-Law
Sydney Kornelsen, of Fallbrook, CA, Escondido Charter High School, Chemistry
Hannah Krehbiel, of Fort Smith, Northside High School, Anthropology and Chemistry
Cecily Mobley, of Fouke, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Systems Engineering
Karson Oakes, of Paragould, Paragould Senior High School, Computer Science
Gage Pipkin, of Jonesboro, Westside High School, Theatre
Philip Plouch, of Little Rock, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Computer Science
Gabrielle Roberts, of Jonesboro, Academies at Jonesboro High School, Biology/ Pre-Vet
Aleigha Smith, of Ward, Cabot High School, Accounting
Ruby Trotter, of Houston, TX, Jersey Village High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med

Photo by Benjamin Krain

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

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Selected to Dress Performers at Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host ‘Turn Off the Light’ Nov. 12-13

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Completes National Theatre Institute Theatermakers Summer Intensive