Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical is a hilarious “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. The show reimagines the world of Hawkins, Indiana, with catchy tunes, witty humor and 1980s nostalgia. Expect a fresh take on your favorite characters as they sing, dance, and encounter the Upside Down in ways you’ve never seen before. 

“These rehearsals have brought some of the biggest laughs I’ve ever shared working on a show, and that energy has carried through every step of the process.” says Caelon Colbert, Director of the production, “There’s something special about a company that fully leans into the humor, heart, and absurdity of this piece, and it’s going to make this show unforgettable.” 

With a cast of lovable characters, show-stopping songs, and plenty of laughs, this production truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re a die-hard Stranger Things enthusiast or simply looking for a fun night out at the theatre, Stranger Sings! delivers an adventure that combines parody, music, and storytelling – with a PG-13 edge that adds to its comedic bite.

Performances run April 15–19 at Haislip Theatre, with evening shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets and full event details are available on the official event page. You can also reach out to Caelon Colbert directly at cdcolbert@ualr.edu. , this is one trip to the Upside Down you won’t want to miss.

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“Fairview” has captured the attention of theater audiences nationwide for its thought-provoking narrative and innovative storytelling. What begins as a seemingly familiar family gathering transforms into a bold and unexpected theatrical experience that challenges perspectives on race, representation and whose voices are centered on stage. Praised for its innovation and impact, the play invites audiences to engage in new and meaningful ways while exploring themes of family, perception, and the complexities of race and privilege in America.

“‘Fairview’ is a brilliant, funny, smart and incredibly brave play,” said Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Smith, assistant professor of theatre arts. “I read the first reviews when it premiered in 2018. I bought the script as soon as it became available in 2019, and we’ve talked about producing it every year since then. Now is our chance, and it is wonderful to be working with this cast on the Arkansas premiere of ‘Fairview’ at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. Anyone who comes to it will hear themselves or recognize someone they know through the voices of Drury’s characters.”

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 4–7 and 2:30 p.m. March 8. The Haislip Theatre offers an intimate setting to experience the play’s powerful message.

Admission is free, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit the official event page or contact SLPA coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu

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Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Dr. Lawrence Smith and the school will present Kerry Kennedy’s play, “The Last Beautiful Words,” at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11 at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown. 

The week following the play reading, six juniors and seniors in the School of Literary and Performing Arts will perform their joint capstone project, “Vesitiga: Fragments of Us” on April 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. in Haislip Theatre. 

The project was created, designed, and produced by the students under the mentorship of Jimmy Maize, a member of the . The performances mark the culmination of Tectonic Theater Project’s second year in residency at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock.

“For over three decades, Tectonic Theater Project has been dedicated to creating theatrically innovative and formally groundbreaking works through a unique method called ‘Moment Work,’” Maize said. “As one of its co-developers, I am always thrilled to collaborate with young artists who are using this method to explore material and topics that resonate deeply with them. Witnessing the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock students from the School of Literary and Performing Arts channel their creativity into crafting this new piece of theater has been an absolute delight.”

The continued development of the Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowment allows hands-on, collaborative projects such as these to continue in the future. Since 2006, the endowment has supported residencies, student mentorship, and annual school events, including the Fringe Festival of New Student Work. Approaching its 25th year, the endowment recently received a $50,000 donation from Dr. Keith Kennedy, Kerry’s brother.

Kennedy was a playwright, dancer, and a screenwriter for a number of television pictures. Including “The Last Beautiful Words,” her short stories, unproduced plays, and screenplays are part of an archival collection at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Center for Arkansas History and Culture, and the April 11 event is a continuation of the partnership between the school and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown.

“It is a privilege to be part of Kerry Kennedy’s legacy,” said Stacy Pendergraft, producing artistic director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts. “I cannot emphasize enough the significance this endowment has had on giving voice to original student work and shaping the student-centered focus of our program.”

These performances are free and open to the public, but . For additional information, contact the school’s coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu. 

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Through student-led productions, community partnerships, literary publishing experiences, collaborative performances, and more, the school provides hands-on opportunities to work with renowned artists and alumni across genres and mediums.

Student-Led Productions
This academic year marks the second residency with Tectonic Theatre Company at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, a collaboration that began in October 2023 and focuses on the creative processes required in a production from start to finish.

Most known for their original groundbreaking production of “The Laramie Project,” Tectonic Theatre Company teaches students about “Moment Work” education, where students are “[exploring] the theatrical potential of all elements of the stage in order to create strong theatrical and dramatic narratives from the ground up,” according to website.

In the spring 2025 semester as part of its residency at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Tectonic Theatre Company will provide mentorship to a student-led directing and design team, which will result in a full, student-created production that will be showcased April 17-20 in Haislip Theatre.

Jimmy Maize, a Tectonic Theatre Company member who was US Associate Director of Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” will guide the students while in residence at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock in the spring semester.

include Broadway’s “33 Variations” featuring Jane Fonda, “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later,” and “One Arm.” He was also named an Old Vic New Voices Fellow and a Princess Grace Nominee.

The residency with Tectonic Theatre Company was made possible, in part, through the Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowed Fund.

“The Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowed Fund has had a tremendous impact on our programs and our school,” said Stacy Pendergraft, co-director of the school. “For over two decades, this fund has allowed us to provide opportunities for our students to perform and study playwriting both on campus and across the nation in ways that wouldn’t be possible without this support.”

Community Partnerships
The school is also expanding a growing list of community partners; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ����Vlog��ýMS Centers for Simulation Education, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown and the School of Nursing, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Children’s Theatre, the Central Arkansas Library System, and others give students the opportunity to work and connect with industry professionals while pursuing their degree.

“We’ve been intentional about crafting these partnerships—whether it’s with our alumni or community partners—and we’re looking forward to the new opportunities that will be offered for our students across all three programs within the school,” Pendergraft said.

Examples of alumni partners include Emily Wold, owner of Fablehound LLC, who partnered with the school to host a voiceover workshop on campus.

With Wold’s commercial experience with international businesses such as Google, Kayak, Disney, Whataburger, and more, she taught students about the industry and gave them hands-on experience with the “Fablebus,” Wold’s fully equipped mobile recording studio.

In fall 2024, the school also collaborated with the Sequoyah National Research Center and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown for a play reading in honor of Native American Heritage Month. An open call across the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus allowed students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds to participate in a reading of “William Tincup’s Squaw” by Diane Glancy.

Literary Publishing Experiences

Along with residencies and workshops, the school’s English program also offers the opportunity to work with and write for “,” a student-run journal of contemporary literature written by undergraduate students from across the nation.

Students in the English program can receive course credit for completing a semester internship that focuses on literary publishing and includes working on the journal.

In November, the school hosted a launch party in celebration of the newest issue.

“With over 50 years of ‘Equinox,’ it’s exciting to see how the literary magazine has changed throughout time,” said Dr. Kris McAbee, co-director of the school. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to both showcase emerging writers and give students real-life opportunities to learn more about publishing in the literary sphere.”

Collaborative Concerts and Performances
The school produced a record number of performances in the fall 2024 semester, which showcased new, collaborative concerts that brought together instruments, abilities, and programs.

New concerts for the fall semester included a collaborative concert featuring ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs and the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Percussion Ensemble. The concert, titled “Celestial Awakening,” featured work by American poets Sara Teasdale, Emily Dickinson, and Walt Whitman.

As part of the school’s collaborative nature, Assistant Professor of English Dr. Heather Hummel joined the music students in rehearsals to discuss and look deeper into the poetry.

“Dr. Bunting and I have been imagining this collaborative concert for a couple of years, and all the pieces seemed to fall into place as we began planning concerts for this semester,” Dr. Lorissa Mason, the director of choral activities, said. “Providing opportunities for our students to perform together is a rewarding experience.”

In addition to “Celestial Awakening,” the school also hosted a concert special called “Jazz in the Alley” in collaboration with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown and the very first piano ensemble concert.

“These experiences expose students to innovative approaches in theatre arts, music, and English, and they also, importantly, allow students to build relevant connections in their respective industries,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education where the School of Literary and Performing Arts is housed. “These immersive experiences represent a gold standard in student learning.”

To find information on upcoming events and the school’s offerings, visit the School of Literary and Performing Arts website. For additional questions, contact Caelon Colbert, the school’s coordinating assistant, at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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The final play by French playwright Moliére is the story of Argan, a wealthy hypochondriac who wants his daughter to marry the son of a doctor in order to gain easier access to prescriptions and cheaper medical bills.

The play was co-adapted by Oded Gross and Tracy Young with music by Paul Pendergast and lyrics by Oded Gross, Tracy Young, and Paul Pendergast.

“Our season opener not only features the talent of some of Little Rock’s most gifted artists, but it’s also the first show we’ve produced since upgrading our lighting system substantially,” School of Literary and Performing Arts Co-Director, Stacy Pendergraft said. “These updates were made possible through the generous support of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock alumna, Cindy Conger.”

Guest director, Ben Grimes will direct the performances, and local artist Tim Cooper will direct the music. Brandon Eells, nationally known voice actor and Little Rock artist, will play Argan. Designers include Don Bolinger, Gideon Brewer, Karen Dauenhauer, and Mike Stacks.

“Directing ‘Imaginary Invalid’ has been such a joy for me,” Grimes said. “While the original play is over three hundred years old, it feels very current in this post-pandemic era. The play is hilariously funny, and the ending will sneak up and punch you right in the feels.”

Shows will start at 7:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Oct. 23 and continue through to Saturday, Oct. 26. There will be a 2:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Oct. 27. All showings will be in Haislip Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts on the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus.

While the performances are free and open to the public, .

The production of “The Imaginary Invalid” kicks off the 2024-2025 season for the theatre arts program within the School of Literary and Performing Arts. Productions of “The Theory of Relativity” are scheduled for March 2025, and student devised work will be presented in April 2025.

For additional information, contact the school’s coordinating assistant Caelon Colbert at cdcolbert@ualr.edu or 501-916-3291.

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This year’s Fringe Festival, established in 2008 to connect professionals and students through mentorship, will be hosted in Haislip Theatre on the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock campus on April 17 and 18. Each showing will be at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.

An award-winning playwright, educator, and recipient of the Kesselring Prize for Playwriting, Candrice Jones continues her residency that began in 2023 through the Fringe Festival.

“Each year, we are able to tailor a Fringe Festival that fosters original student work in a way that meets the educational journey and process of the year,” said Stacy Pendergraft, co-director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts. “Last year, Candrice mentored new work, and we knew then that having her connect more deeply with students through a semester’s long course would be an invaluable experience.”

This year’s festival delves into the writing process. Students will first hear their work read by actors, then the students will have the opportunity to revise their pieces. The final readings will be presented before a theater audience on April 17 and 18. Additionally, both nights will feature original monologues and spoken word selections created by students from across the school, as well as from students who were in the First Year Experience course in the fall of 2023.

The Fringe Festival of New Student Work is made possible through the Kerry Kennedy Aspiring Playwright Endowed Fund. “[The fund] continues to enhance our commitment to original voices and has had an incredible impact on the department from its beginning in 2006,” Pendergraft said.

For more information, contact the School of Literary and Performing Arts at 501-916-3291 or slpa@ualr.edu.

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