How Walton Arts Center is Expanding Access Through Theater for Young Audiences
Treasure Island at Leesa Academy, a new school to participate in the Classroom Series.
For decades, the Classroom Series has welcomed thousands of students into the theater each year, offering many their very first experience with live performances. But for some schools, attending a field trip isn’t always possible. Transportation costs, time constraints and staffing challenges can turn even a short performance into an all-day commitment.
That’s where a new chapter begins.
Taking Theater Beyond the Stage
Walton Arts Center is expanding its reach as a producer of theater for young audiences. This shift represents a significant evolution: while the organization has co-produced theater for young audiences in the past, it is now stepping into the role of sole producer for the first time. This production is designed to tour local schools, bringing a high-quality, curriculum-based performance directly to students.
At the center of this effort is Treasure Island, a production created with students—and their classrooms—in mind. Timed to align with curriculum for those fourth-grade students who are studying the classic novel this spring. By experiencing the story live, students can connect more deeply with the material in a way that textbooks alone can’t provide.
“Treasure Island is a classic story that is woven deep into the fabric of human stories: pirates, buried treasure, etc.,” said director Kassie Misiewicz. “However, not many young people actually read the book. After the play, we hope to inspire people to pick up Robert Lewis Stevenson’s novel or watch a movie adaptation. I highly recommend the 1996 Muppet Treasure Island film!”
Designed for Access and Impact
Building a touring production from the ground up required a new level of creativity and collaboration. Every detail—from set design to staging—was crafted with flexibility in mind, ensuring the show could travel easily and perform in spaces like a school cafetorium without losing its artistic impact.
“In order to transform the stage from an Inn to a ship and then to a jungle and a fort, we rely on the audience’s imagination,” Misiewicz says. “As the story moves from one place to another, actors move barrels, masts and crates to create a new setting and the audience uses their imagination to fill in the blanks.”
The result is a production that meets students where they are—literally.
This approach not only removes logistical barriers but also creates more equitable access to the arts, reaching students who may never have the opportunity to visit the theater in person.
Investing in the Local Creative Community
The impact extends beyond the classroom. Producing Treasure Island has created jobs for 12 professional theater artists, from director and designers to performers and stage management. Rehearsals at Mount Sequoyah and partnerships with local organizations further strengthen the region’s creative ecosystem.
It’s a model that supports both education and the arts—growing opportunities on both sides of the stage.
A Vision for the Future
This production is just the beginning. Walton Arts Center envisions building a repertoire of touring shows that can reach students year after year, both locally and beyond. Treasure Island itself will continue its journey with additional performances, including a run of classroom and public shows in South Bend, Indiana later this spring.
The long-term goal is clear: expand access, deepen engagement and ensure every student has the chance to experience the transformative power of live theater.
Creating Moments That Matter
At its heart, this work is about creating those unforgettable moments—the ones where learning clicks, curiosity ignites and students see new possibilities for themselves.
By producing theater for young audiences and bringing it directly into schools, Walton Arts Center isn’t just removing barriers. It’s opening doors, inspiring imaginations and helping the next generation discover the magic of the arts—one performance at a time.
The production is touring Northwest Arkansas schools March through April. Then it will travel to Notre Dame in South Bend where it will be presented on their children’s series.
You can support the continuing work that Walton Arts Center does to bring arts and artists to our community by becoming a Friend of Walton Arts Center.