The Academy of the Arts, based at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, is by no means new.
The preparatory program, intended for youngsters from toddlers to high school seniors, is starting its ninth year, says founder Rosilee Russell. It has filled a "huge niche," growing from 70 students to more than 700 and from music to theater, art and dance programs -- "a very comprehensive group of arts activities," she says. "It's been really fun and really rewarding" to watch it grow.
FYI
Academy of the Arts
2014-15 Season
Oct. 23 — “An Evening With the Stars: Faculty Variety Show,” 7:30 p.m., Breedlove Auditorium. $15 adults, $10 children 10 and younger.
Oct. 25 — “Sleeping Beauty Kids,” 2 p.m., The Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown. $5-$6.
Nov. 7-9 — “The Sound of Music,” 7 p.m. Nov. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Nov. 9, Breedlove Auditorium. $8-$12 adults.
Dec. 7 — “Christmas Around the World,” presented by the Youth Orchestra, 3 p.m., Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center Reynolds Room. $6.
Dec. 13-14 — “Peter Pan Jr.,” 2 & 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14, Breedlove Auditorium. $8-$12.
Dec. 18 — “Christmas Follies,” presented by Children’s Choir, 7 p.m., Breedlove Auditorium. $5-$6.
Feb. 27-28 — “Old Time Gospel Hour,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Breedlove Auditorium. $15.
April 25 — “Aristocats Kids,” 2 p.m., The Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown. $5-$6.
May 3 — “Let’s Tango,” presented by the Youth Orchestra, 3 p.m., Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center Reynolds Room. $6.
May 8 — “Pop Goes the Music,” presented by the Children’s Choir, 7 p.m., Breedlove Auditorium. $5-$6.
May 16-17 — “Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.,” 2 & 7 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 17, Breedlove Auditorium. $8-$12.
A season ticket for the series costs $95 for adults and $80 for children 10 and younger. Call the UAFS Box Office at 788-7300.
What is relatively new is the "On Stage" series.
"What we did was combine all of our concerts and productions into one performance series," Russell explains. "We used to have a separate series for professionals and academy students. Now, we have a 12-show series that includes two by professional artists and the rest by our academy students."
The program makes its home at UAFS, where it gains the benefit of facilities and technical assistance but is financially self-sustaining. The students, Russell adds, come from some 25 school districts as far away as Mountainburg, Clarksville and Charleston in Arkansas and Poteau and Sallisaw in Oklahoma.
The goal, she says, is to "raise the level of awareness of the importance of the arts."
"We want our audiences to enjoy seeing children and youth participating in the arts. As far as our kids and teenagers go, arts serve as a connection for them, to each other, to make friends and to find themselves, so to speak."
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN What's Up on 08/29/2014