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

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host ‘Hamilton’-inspired student theater showcase

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:00:42 +0000

There’s good news for musical theater enthusiasts who can’t get enough of the “ten-dollar-Founding-Father.” The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a student showcase featuring music inspired by the breakout Broadway hit “Hamilton” on Friday, June 21. Thirty-two middle school students from across the state will show off their stage and musical theater skills by performing songs adapted from “Hamilton” at 2 p.m. June 21 in the University Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. The event is free and open to the public with refreshments immediately following the performance. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education is offering the musical theatre program, “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience,” June 17-21 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for students in grades 7-9. During the program, students focus on performance and stagecraft and explore the historical, societal, and cultural themes behind “Hamilton.” In stagecraft, students will learn the technical aspects of a show from start to finish – including lighting, sound, and set construction. Students in the performance track will work with a musical director and choreographer. In the final showcase, students will perform selected scenes from “Hamilton” and have a talk-back session with audience members about their program experience. “Hamilton is still the hottest ticket on Broadway,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahoney Center for Gifted Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “It has contemporary themes that children can identify with. It has all the elements of a great performance and a message of compassion and perseverance with an overarching emphasis on citizenship.” The camp is funded by an Arkansas Department of Education Academic Enrichment for the Gifted in the Summer (AEGIS) grant. “The Mahony Center is committed to serving gifted children and youth through campus-based programming. MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience is a great example of what can be done in an intensive week with excited kids, inspiring teachers, and dedicated leadership,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. For more information, contact the Jodie Mahony Center at 501-569-3410.

Jodie Mahony Center receives funding for middle school program: “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience”

Janea Snyder — Tue, 15 May 2018 16:13:33 +0000

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education has received $31,084 from the Arkansas Department of Education to host “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience.” This program allows seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade students to produce and perform in “Hamilton,” a popular hip hop musical that debuted on Broadway in 2015. In the five-day program, students can choose between two tracks: stagecraft and performance. In the stagecraft track, students will learn how to use cutting-edge technology to stage scenes. In the performance track, students will learn how to perform on stage. Students in both tracks will explore the historical, societal, and cultural themes that influence the writing, performance, and stage design of “Hamilton.” The goal of this program is to give more students the opportunity to develop their gifts and talents in the performing arts, an area that hasn’t traditionally offered many resources for middle school students. “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience is an exciting opportunity for both students and their teachers. Theater has always been an important part of my life,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, founding director of the Mahony Center. Participants last summer gave it “rave reviews,” she said. This summer, Dr. Christine Deitz and her team of talented teachers will provide creative performance opportunities and engaging historical context to a new group of students. “We want to thank, in particular, the Governor and the supportive Arkansas legislators who believe in the AEGIS summer programs and ensure their continued funding,” Deitz said. The program runs June 25-29, 2018, from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. each day at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Story by Lydia Perry/Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosts summer camps

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:58:57 +0000

Looking for an engaging summer program to keep a motivated student academically challenged, or interested in having the student explore a new interest? The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in musical theatre, writing, engineering, computer coding, robotics, geology, transportation, swimming, and more. Young Writers Camp Dates: June 11-15, 8 a.m. to noon Grades: 3-6 Cost: $125 Contact: Pam Maisen, 501-951-6574 Emerging Writers Institute Dates: June 25-29, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grades: 6-8 Dates: June 25-29, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Grades: 9-12 Cost: $125 Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience Dates: June 25-29 with Student Showcase at 2 p.m. June 29 Grades: 7-9 Cost: Free Contact: 501-569-3410 or ��ڳٱ�峦��Գٱ��ܲ��.��

“MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience”

Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) Dates: July 9-20, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Grades: K-8 Cost: $300 Contact: 501-569-3410 or giftedcenter@ualr.edu AP (Advanced Placement) PREP Boot Camp Dates: July 23-27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grades: Arkansas high school students enrolled in advanced placement courses in biology, calculus, chemistry, English, English literature, and statistics for fall 2018 Cost: Free

Each VEX Robotics camp costs $175 and includes a T-shirt, snacks, and robotics competition on the final day of camp. Contact Sandra Leiterman at saleiterman@ualr.edu for more information. VEX IQ for beginners Dates: Session 1: July 9-13, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 16-20, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Grades: 3-6 Girl Powered VEX EDR Dates: July 9-13, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: Girls 6-12 VEX EDR Dates: July 16-20, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades 6-12 VEX IQ – Advanced session Dates: Session 1: July 23-27, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dates: Session 2: July 23-27, 1 to 4 p.m. Grades: 3-6

Neva Dagtas (middle) of Little Rock celebrates as her robot, “Walle Jr.,” wins the robotics camp competition for fifth and sixth graders in June 2017.

George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology free residential summer camps

For the following camps, contact Vernard Henley, assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, at 501-569-8203 or vwhenley@ualr.edu for more information. High School Research Program Dates: July 9-28 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Engineering Scholars Program Dates: Session 1: June 17-23 Dates: Session 2: June 24-30 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 EIT Middle School Summer Science Camp Dates: Session 1: July 8-13 Dates: Session 2: July 15-20 Grades: 5-7 Applications due April 30 Geology Camp Dates: June 10-15 Grades: 8-11 Applications due April 20 Girls Coding Camp Dates: July 22-27 Grades: 7-8 Applications due April 20

Trojan Athletics summer camp

Contact: Amy Burgess, amburgess1@ualr.edu Session I: June 4-7, June 11-14, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 2: June 18-21, June 25-28, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 3: July 9-12, July 16-19, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session 4: July 23-26, July 30 – Aug. 2, Ages 4-12, $75 for eight lessons Session times of 4:30-5 p.m., 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 5:30-6 p.m., and 6-6:30 p.m. are available. Contact: Logan Dahms, lmdahms@ualr.edu Dates: June 11-14, June 25-28 Ages 5-8, Mini Camp, $120, and Ages 9-17, Regular Camp, $220 Contact: Steve Wiedower, slwiedower@ualr.edu, Robert Dallimore, rjdallimore@ualr.edu, Team Camp 1: June 21-22, $180 per day Team Camp 2: Aug. 1-3, $180 per day Advanced Skills Camp: June 23-24, Grades 9-12, $100 Mini Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-4, $75 Individual Camp: June 18-20, Grades 5-12, $100 Contact: Van Compton, 501-607-2056 Hitter/Setter Camp: July 9-10, Grades 8-12, $50 Serve/Serve Receive Camp: July 1-12, Grades 8-12, $50 Defensive Specialist Camp: July 13, Grades 8-12, $35 Individual Camp: July 16-19, Grades 4-12, $150 Senior High Team Camp: July 23-24, $50 Junior High Team Camp: July 25-26, $50 Contact: Kyle Giusti, kjgiusti@ualr.edu Summer Kids Skills Camp: June 18-20, Grades 1-7, $150 Summer Showcase: July 19, Grades 9-12 and junior college athletes, $150

Back this summer! MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience

Janea Snyder — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:47:47 +0000

There’s good news for middle school teens who can’t get enough of the ten-dollar-Founding-Father. For the second year, The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University for Arkansas at Little Rock will offer a free musical theatre program inspired by the Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit “Hamilton.” “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience” will take place June 25-29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Theater in the Center for Performing Arts. “Hamilton is still the hottest ticket on Broadway,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, associate director of the Jodie Mahoney Center for Gifted Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “It has contemporary themes that children can identify with. It has all the elements of a great performance and a message of compassion and perseverance with an overarching emphasis on citizenship.” The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education has applied for and received, for the second year, an The program is open to students who are currently enrolled in Grades 7-9 during the 2017-18 school year. Thirty students from across Arkansas will be selected to participate. MT Stage is a non-residential program and does not supply housing for participants. Participants will explore the historical, societal, and cultural themes behind “Hamilton” and will choose a focus area of musical theater: stagecraft or performance. In stagecraft, students will learn the technical aspects of a show from start to finish – including lighting, sound, and set construction. Students in the performance track will work with a musical director and choreographer. In the final showcase, students will perform selected scenes from “Hamilton” and have a talk-back session with audience members about their program experience. The enrichment program is free to participants. Online applications are available and are due May 15. For more information, contact the Jodie Mahony Center at 501-569-3410 or visit the website. In the photo above right, students perform scenes from “Hamilton” during the MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience in summer 2017.

Grant brings beloved musical theatre program to life

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:10:32 +0000

After a 15-year absence, a beloved musical theatre enrichment program returned to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education. Hosted by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience” provided a unique opportunity for high-ability and gifted students to learn about musical theater, stagecraft, and civics June 26-30 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. It was funded by an Academic Enrichment for the Gifted and Talented in the Summer grant. “To us, this program was an exciting opportunity to bring a very missed student enrichment program back to campus,” said Dr. Christine Deitz, program director. “The Jodie Mahony Center was beyond thrilled to offer this program again to Arkansas students.” Program participant Margaret Rood, a rising ninth-grader at Malvern High School, spent much of her life dreaming of becoming an actor. Growing up in the small town of Malvern, Rood didn’t know other aspiring actors. When ��Vlog��ý Little Rock hosted a musical theatre program for seventh- and eighth-graders in Arkansas, Rood jumped at the chance to get a taste of acting life during “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience.” “This was my favorite thing to do all summer,” Rood said. “Musical people are a very small niche in my hometown. It was great to be surrounded by like-minded people.” After participating in the camp, Rood plans to pursue acting and theater opportunities in Little Rock to give her more experience before college. During the program, students attended civics and musical theatre history classes to learn about the history behind the Broadway play. Students studied aspects of Greek theater, Shakespeare, and modern theater. In civics class, participants discussed immigration, citizenship, and the Bill of Rights. “You could see the talent, passion, and commitment of these children in their eyes from the moment they came to campus,” Deitz said. “It reminded me of why I came into teaching.” At the end of the week, participants performed music and choreography inspired by the Broadway hit, “Hamilton: An American Musical,” during a June 30 student showcase in University Theatre on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Gabbie Stokes, a rising ninth-grader from Ozark, was thrilled to play the characters of Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette. “I have never done theatre or drama before,” Stokes said. “This camp was the highlight of my summer.” Participating students include:

��Emma Barrett of Jonesboro
��Trinity Bell of Little Rock
��Tyler Childers of DeWitt
��Taryn Oitker of Cabot
��Grayson Siebert of Blytheville
��Makiya Stuffs of Little Rock
��Kennedy Arnold of Little Rock
��Eva Grace Barrett of Jonesboro
��Lucy Box of Jonesboro
��Taylor Chandler of Huntsville
��Rachel Estep of Springdale
��JahLayae Freeman of Jacksonville
��Mia Hartley of Texarkana
��Alexandra Lanier of Alexander
��Zaria Montgomery of North Little Rock
��Margaret Rood of Malvern
��Gabriella Stokes of Ozark
��Emily Wheat of Sheridan
��Benjamin Wilson of Texarkana
��Alexandria Wright of Jonesboro

Students and staff involved in “MT Stage: The Hamilton Experience” include: Front row (L to R): Dr. Christine Deitz, Sara Cooke, Dorothy Gantz, Dr. I. J. Routen, and Laura Dowling. Second row: TeLeah Allen, Alexandra Lanier, Trinity Bell, Makiya Stubbs, Gabriella Stokes, Blair King, Tyler Childers, Eva Grace Barrett, and Alexandra Wright. Third row: Tyler Chandler, Emily Wheat, Kennedy Arnold, Mia Hartley, JahLeah Freeman, Lucy Box, and Taryn Oitker. Fourth row: Rachel Estep, Zaria Montgomery, Tripp Wilson, Grayson Seibert, Margaret Rood, and Emma Barrett.

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