The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville is constantly seeking and creating meaningful ways to engage with the community. And while the venue hosts myriad programs, series and events to enhance guests' connection to performances, some supporters may not realize there are also opportunities from time to time to be a part of the story and the magic of theater that unfolds on stage.
"For us, it's important to have the community involved in the production itself -- because we want them to feel like Walton Arts Center is a space for them," enthuses WAC learning and engagement coordinator Meghan Foehl. "Especially for kids coming in, to be able to say, 'I was on that stage,' or 'My best friend was on that stage,' it creates a connection to this place and to the arts that hopefully they'll carry with them."
FYI
Auditions
‘The Nutcracker’
Sept. 30
Casting is for the roles of party girls and party boys, Mounties, mice, angels, polar bears and reindeer. To audition, children must meet the following requirements:
• 7 to 15 years old (as of Nov. 23, 2018)
• Height: Dancers must be between 3-foot-8 and 5-foot-3
• Dance attire for audition:
Girls — Any solid color bodysuit, tights, ballet slippers, hair in neat bun, no jewelry
Boys — White shirt/bodysuit, black shorts or tights, ballet slippers, neat hair
• Children must be present when handing in the audition registration to verify height requirements and a current photograph will be required to register for the audition. Headshots or school photos are acceptable.
Schedule:
1-2:15 p.m. — Registration for all auditioning students in Starr Theater
2:30-3:45 p.m. — Audition class for children 7 to 8 years old
4-5:45 p.m. — Audition class for children 9 years old and older
FAQ
Upcoming Shows
“Peter Pan” — Nov. 2 & 3, 9 & 10
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” — Nov. 23-25
“Go, Dog. Go!” — Jan 19 & 26
“Waitress” — April 9-1
Auditions for “Peter Pan” and “Go, Dog. Go!” have already occurred. Those interested in Trike’s other season offerings should contact Jasmine@triketheatr…. Watch for “Waitress” audition information coming in early 2019.
INFO — 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org, triketheatre.org
For the 2018-19 season, Northwest Arkansas will get to see some local faces on stage for four shows as the arts center expands local casting opportunities. The return of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet "The Nutcracker" and the Broadway production "Waitress" will both seek area children to participate. As an artistic affiliate of the arts center, Bentonville's Trike Theatre also offers locals professional opportunities in collaboration with the region's biggest stage in its second year of presenting its mainstage productions at WAC: "Peter Pan" and "Go, Dog. Go!"
"One thing that theater does really well is it helps us to build connections with stories and characters. Some of them are very much like ourselves, and some of them are different, and therefore we can build that empathy and see the world through somebody else's perspective," shares Kassie Misiewicz, artistic director at Trike Theater. "And that's one of the reasons I love children's theater, is that when I'm doing a show for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, I think about what does an 8-year-old experience and how do I help to make sure we tell that story truthfully on stage so that see themselves on stage."
Misiewicz also notes with pride that Trike is one of only two theater companies in the area (the other being TheatreSquared) where actors can gain that professional experience. That mentorship can be invaluable and as the whole experience focuses on creativity and exploration, Misiewicz points out how those interactions will inform everything those actors do as they go back to other organizations where they are involved.
"One of the things that we have as one of our core values is investing in the future of the arts and investing in other art makers," adds WAC public relations director Jennifer Wilson. "You're building your audience, but you're also building your art makers. Trike is raising up that next generation [of both]."
NAN What's Up on 09/28/2018