Engaging students at Walton Arts Center

Walton Arts Center strives to improve the entire learning process of Northwest Arkansas students by providing multiple ways to investigate the arts. We have looked at a few arts-integration professional development opportunities for the teachers of NWA, but we also offer programs that directly interact with students. This past year, WAC’s student engagement programs have positively impacted over 6,200 people! 

Workshops, master classes and chances to meet and work with touring artists allow students to step out of their learning norm and engage in creative experiences. One new approach to learning is Youth Volunteer Corps which gives students the chance to work one-on-one with WAC professional staff.

Photo by Ironside Photography

WAC partnered with Camp War Eagle in an effort to recruit participants for the program, provide transportation and English to Spanish language translations of all documents. Students were chosen based on a written essay and four letters of teacher recommendation. 

“My appreciation and love for the arts sparked and sky rocketed!” said a Youth Volunteer Corps participant.  The semester-long program involved students in the everyday events of working and presenting the arts to the public. Students were involved in backstage tours, job orientations and learning about the business of presenting – including areas like Box Office, Communications, Development, Programming, Educations, Production and Tech. An end product of their delving into the arts was participation in five education shows. The students worked and presented the shows to over 2,000 audience members!

Photo by Ironside Photography

Concluding the program was a reception honoring the students, a viewing of War Horse and final evaluations of the students’ progress. Through the final evaluations WAC gained a better understanding of how the students responded to the lessons taught at Youth Volunteer Corps. Feedback included 100 percent of the students gained confidence and a better understanding of themselves, understand more about careers available in the presenting arts and feel better prepared to make school, class or career choices. 

We are proud of the students that participated in Youth Volunteer Corps, as well as all of our student engagement programs! For more information about Youth Volunteer Corps watch Walton Arts Center Youth Volunteer Corp Video presented by CampWarEagle365. Visit our website to learn about more community opportunities with Walton Arts Center! 

View the AWE teachers in action!

Walton Arts Center’s 2013 Arts with Education Institute concluded last week, and we are so excited for the impact arts-integration teaching will have on Northwest Arkansas schools this fall!  The teachers were a part of professional development workshops, lectures and discussions with artists.  To learn more about how and what the AWE teachers were preparing for the classroom, we have a video to summarize the week’s events!       

To learn more about Arts with Education Institute visit our website!

2013 Arts with Education Institute

Walton Arts Center was excited to host the 2013 Arts with Education Institute (AWE) last week! The annual week-long professional development is designed to train Northwest Arkansas teachers to integrate the arts into everyday lesson plans, connecting to core curriculum.  

WAC hopes to positively impact the classroom learning experience for both teachers and the almost 1,200 students that are influenced by the AWE teachers each year. “Arts integrating will help my students build their cooperation muscles,” said an AWE teacher about the foreseen benefits of the program. 

Arkansas History, Social Studies and Visual Arts were the focus areas for AWE 2013. Teachers learned how to integrate the arts in these subject areas with hands-on, interactive workshops presented by John F. Kennedy Center professionals. “My students will be better in communicating,” said an AWE teacher about the program.              

The experts from the Kennedy Center believe in and teach the three main ways arts can be interjected into students’ learning experiences. Arts as curriculum involves music, art, drama or dance teachers, and students learn particular art forms. Arts-enhanced curriculum uses the arts as a “hook” to engage students when learning in other curriculum areas. Finally, an arts-integrated curriculum, which is the goal of programs like AWE, uses the arts as the approach to teaching and learning. Students gain knowledge of both the utilized art form and another subject.  (The Kennedy Center Arts Edge)

 Chart courtesy of The Kennedy Center Arts Edge

This year’s AWE featured lectures and workshops led by Sean Layne from The Kennedy Center. Layne has a B.F.A. in Acting, and has been a part of numerous arts education programs such as founding Focus 5 Inc., arts coaching for the Kennedy Center’s Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) program, directing and set designing for the InterAct Story Theatre and internationally representing the Wolf Trap Institute Early Learning Through the Arts program. Some of the workshops led by Layne at AWE this year were Intro to Arts Integration, Acting Right, One Minute Challenges, Strategies for Memorization Text Cards and Connections to Common Core. Trike Theatre teaching artists assisted directly in the teaching of AWE, and will help teachers throughout the year by periodically stepping into the classrooms.   

AWE teachers are given a presentation on arts-integration learning

Along with working at the Walton Arts Center, the AWE teachers travelled to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for additional hands-on instruction. Lectures and workshops at CBMAA included an Introduction to Teaching from Art lecture and a Teaching Content with Artwork workshop given by teaching artists.    

While at Crystal Bridges, School Programs Manager Anne Kraybill began a lesson plan revolving around visual essays with an introduction to Visual Essay Instruction. This was followed by Creating Visual Essays given by a team of leaders. After the teachers were introduced to the concept and structure of visual essays, they were taught how to implement the learning technique in the classroom with the facilitated reflection Bringing Visual Essay Back to the Classroom. “My students will be highly engaged and own their learning,” said one AWE teacher about the lesson plans.  

The AWE Institute 2013 creating tableaus

We are excited to see these teachers take what they learned about arts-integration back to their classrooms this fall! To learn more about Arts with Education Institute visit our website! Funding for AWE is provided in part by Crayola® with additional funding from Arkansas Arts Council and Walton Arts Center supporters and benefactors.  

Jersey Boys - behind the scenes with the creative team!

As we mentioned last week, here at Walton Arts Center we are excited for the start of this year’s Procter & Gamble Broadway Series with the opening of Jersey Boys, Sept. 3 – 8!  We have already looked at the amazing cast of this production, and now we are onto the creative team that is equally impressive!

The creative team includes Des McAnuff (director), Bob Gaudio (composer) and Sergio Trujillo (choreographer).    

McAnuff is a two-time Tony Award® winning director with a broad résumé. Immediate past Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival and Artistic Director Emeritus of La Jolla Playhouse are a few of his titles in the directing world. While working with La Jolla Playhouse, McAnuff directed over 35 productions, including Broadway’s The Who’s Tommy (Tony and Olivier Award: Best Director), Big River (Tony Award: Best Director, Best Musical), Caesar and Cleopatra and 700 Sundays (Tony Award: Best Special Theatrical Event). Under his direction, Jersey Boys went on to win the Best Musical title from the Tony Awards® and Olivier Awards.   

'The Sit Down' scene from Jersey Boys. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Along with being a founding member of the Four Seasons where he was the primary songwriter, Gaudio has worked as a producer and composer. Gaudio produced albums for Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Neil Diamond. His work with Diamond led to the hit collaboration with Barbara Streisand “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” which earned a Grammy® nomination for Record of the Year. Gaudio also produced the soundtrack for Little Shop of Horrors and the Four Seasons’ album Who Loves You. He has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1990, the Four Seasons) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1995). His production and songwriting abilities created the hit “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)” that stayed on Billboard’s singles list for 54 weeks, and would later add to the renowned soundtrack of Jersey Boys.  

Jersey Boys perform 'Cry for Me.' Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Trujillo's choreography has been featured in shows all the way from Broadway to television! His Broadway work includes Memphis (Tony Award: Best Musical), Leap of Faith and The Addams Family. Trujillo has more than once served more than role while working on shows. He choreographed and judged on “So You Think You Can Dance: Canada” and “Broadway: The American Musical” (PBS), and simultaneously choreographed and directed a production of Flashdance. His work extends to Off-Broadway shows such as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Saved and Romeo & Juliet (Public), as well as a number of regional and international productions.

The finale song and dance. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Jersey Boys is sure to be an audience favorite with a star-studded creative team and cast! For tickets, call the Walton Arts Center box office at 479.443.5600 or visit our website. For more information on Jersey Boys, visit jerseyboysinfo.com. 

A closer look at the cast of Jersey Boys!

We LOVE Broadway here at Walton Arts Center, so it’s no surprise that we are eagerly anticipating the kick off to this year’s Procter & Gamble Broadway Series with eight performances of Jersey Boys, September 3 – 8!  

Jersey Boys has everything a good all-American story needs: climb to fame, success and Rock and Roll! This musical chronicles the story of how four blue-collared kids became Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. The show is complete with classic hits from the Four Seasons, such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “December 1963 (Oh What a Night).”  

We wanted to learn more about the crew of the smash hit that gained over 42 major accolades, including the 2006 Tony Award® for Best Musical, the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album and the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical! We are going to focus on the impressive cast today, and then later this week we will take a look at the awe-inspiring creative team that has developed this sensational production! 

The Four Seasons are played by Nick Cosgrove (Frankie Valli), Jason Kappus (Bob Gaudio), Nicolas Dromard (Tommy DeVito) and Brandon Andurs (Nick Massi). These four actors have gained experience with shows ranging from Broadway to regional productions.    

Nick Cosgrove

Off-Broadway: Where’s Charley? (Encores!)

Regional productions: Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), Sound of Music (Rolf) and Snapshots (Danny).  

Nick Cosgrove as Frankie Valli. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Jason Kappus

Broadway: American Idiot

National tours: Legally Blonde

Regional shows: Catch Me if You Can, West Side Story, Hairspray and High School Musical 

Jason Kappus as Bob Gaudio. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Nicolas Dromard

Broadway: Mary Poppins (Bert) 

Three national tours

Four regional shows  

(From left): Brandon Andrus, Nick Cosgrove, Jason Kappus and Nicolas Dromard as the Four Seasons. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Brandon Andrus

National tours: Oklahoma! (Curly)

Other shows: Xanadu (Sonny), All Shook Up (Chad), Damn Yankees (Rocky), Annie Get Your Gun (Frank), Camelot (Sir Lionel), Illyria (Duke Orsino), Romeo & Juliet: The Musical (Capulet), Snow White an Enchanting Musical (The Prince) and Guiding Light (Tucker)

(From left): Jason Kappus, Nicolas Dromard, Nick Cosgrove and Brandon Andrus perform "Sherry." Photo: Jeremy Daniel

You will not want to miss seeing this amazing cast in action! Be sure to check back later this week to read more about the creative team of Jersey Boys! For tickets, call the Walton Arts Center box office at 479.443.5600 or visit our website. For more information on Jersey Boys, visit jerseyboysinfo.com.  

Student Engagement with Colgate Classroom Series

Walton Arts Center believes it is vital to expose children to the arts.  Our Colgate Classroom Series (CCS) provides us with a way to give the children of Northwest Arkansas access to live matinee performances of theater, dance, puppetry and world music.  This year, our focused efforts allowed growth in the reach of the program and cultivated new relationships with a Rural School Initiative.   

Since 2009, our reach has doubled - with 100 schools attending CCS performances this past year.  The number of registered seats grew as well, reaching 34,000 seats, compared to 2011’s 30,000.  Our goal next year is to register more than 40,000 students for the Colgate Classroom Series. 

Students arriving at Walton Arts Center

This growth is due in part to efforts to make participation as affordable as possible for the schools.  Two types of partnerships, Smart Partners and 100% Smart Partner Schools, allow us to work with the schools through every aspect of CCS.  Both partnerships receive assistance in ticket prices, online performance guides which support classroom instruction by helping educators connect art forms with core curriculum standards, and transportation subsidies from J.B. Hunt Transportation Inc.

Another way we expanded our reach this year was by focusing on rural schools in NWA. Of the 15 schools targeted, one third attended CCS performances, including Gentry, Pea Ridge, Farmington, West Fork and Decatur. Rural schools in the area account for 5500 students, and we are happy to have made great contacts in order to reach these students in years to come.  The goal next year is to have participation from at least half of these schools.   

Hakim Bekkam from Caravanserai interacts with students

The Colgate Classroom Series gives every NWA school and their students access to world-class arts. Through research with the University of Arkansas we’re learning more about how attending live performances at Walton Arts Center benefits students.  In a recent research project, Junior High School students from Bentonville and Springdale who attended performances at Walton Arts Center as part of elementary school, were surveyed. The results were impressive. Students who attended more performances demonstrated more positive student values, including greater tolerance and empathy and were more likely to read for pleasure compared to students who attended less or not at all. This research begins to quantify some of the many important benefits the arts have for students.   

Students watching the CCS performance of STOMP

CCS performances are chosen for their ability to enrich class curriculum. To make the process easier for participating schools, we provide a list of the shows offered, a brief synopsis of each and the suggested grade levels that are appropriate for the shows. This past year a few of the select shows were Boats, Grug and Dinosaur Petting Zoo.  We are excited to further expand the CCS reach this next year with theater performances like Digging Up Arkansas, dance productions like Company Käfig and world music demonstrations like AnDa Union!  

For a complete listing of the upcoming Colgate Classroom Series, and to learn more about the program, visit our website. 

Learning & Engagement at Walton Arts Center

Here at Walton Arts Center, we strive to positively impact our community through learning and engagement.  One of our main goals is to strengthen school learning communities through arts integration teacher training by to sharing model arts integration programs with the State education community.

One way we reach this goal is by training teachers throughout the area on how to creatively integrate education about the arts into their classroom lesson plans.  There are three main programs designed for these teachers: AWE Institute, SmART Residency and ARTeacher Fellowship.

ARTeacher Fellows

This year’s ARTeacher Fellowship was held June 19-21.  Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative and the Center for Children and Youth joined the Walton Arts Center in an effort to provide this exemplary professional development. The Center for Children and Youth selected 27 Jr. high and high school literacy and social studies teachers to participate in the program, and they will implement the arts integration strategies across their curriculums for a year.

ARTeacher Fellows studied with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presenter, Randy Barron; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art School Programs Manager, Anne Krybill; and University of Arkansas’ Center for Children and Youth, Hung Pham and Dr. Chris Goering.

ARTeacher Fellowship teachers participating in an art integration strategy for the classroom

Last year, the ARTeacher Fellowship reached nearly 500 students with 10 teachers participating in the program, so there are great expectations for the impact this year’s 27 trained educators will have on Northwest Arkansas students.

Teachers being trained through the ARTeacher Fellowship with small group practices

All three programs have yielded positive results in the classroom, for teachers and students alike, all the while keeping the arts alive in schools.  Teachers have noticed that students respond well to art integration strategies with better attitudes, eagerness to participate and an overall preference to the strategies over traditional ones.  Teachers that have participated in the programs say they have gained confidence teaching literacy and social studies with the art integration strategies and 90% believe their teaching skills have improved through the training.

We are excited to see the talented teachers integrate the arts into their curriculum this upcoming school year!  To learn more about the arts integration teaching training programs, visit our website. 

Artosphere Festival Orchestra {sneak preview}

We had the honor of getting a sneak preview of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra performances while sitting on stage as they rehearsed this morning!  Under direction of Conductor Corrado Rovaris, the orchestra prepared Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 for Friday night’s Evening of Beethoven concert at the Walton Arts Center.

AFO Rehearsal

With a “buon giorno” and a raise of his arms, Rovaris gained the full attention of the orchestra and the rehearsal began.  They played through the entire piece once, and then went back to perfect sections in order to express the emotion that Beethoven wanted to convey to the audience.  Rovaris described what was wanted by the musicians through a series of arm movements, humming sequences, facial expressions and a few words.  The musicians would listen intently to his instruction then play the notes even more beautifully than the first time.

Sitting on the left of the bassoonists and clarinetist, in front of the trumpets and timpani and behind an array of strings was an amazing experience.  The musicians that created the full, put-together orchestra sound were heard individually on stage.  It goes without saying, that the individual sounds were just as wonderful standing alone as with the entire group.  

AFO Musicians

It was interesting to hear the conversation that emerged between the woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings.  Call/answer sections were frequently featured that included a group of woodwinds and a group of strings.  The woodwinds would let their reed vibrations ring through the hall, answered by the sharpness of the bow against the strings. 

From our vantage point, we also saw the visual aspects that go into a performance.  Rovaris acted as a type of choreographer for the bows and fingers that controlled the instruments’ sounds.  The musicians also mimicked Rovaris’ facial expressions to add to the meaning behind the music.     

Music Director, Corrado Rovaris

After the musicians had perfected the emotions that they are to perform for the audience tomorrow night, Rovaris concluded the rehearsal with a flick of his wrist and baton.

This series of Artosphere Festival Orchestra performances is a must-see!  For more information about the concert series and to reserve tickets for the festival events visit our website, or call the box office at 479.443.5600. 

Walton Arts Center mourns the loss of artist Lee Littlefield

Walton Arts Center was saddened to hear last week of the death of sculptor Lee Littlefield. Littlefield taught Arkansas educators at the 2006 Arts With Education Institute at Walton Arts Center. His teaching inspired classroom teachers and their students to be a part of a public art project, Walton Arts Center’s public art initiative, I-540Flowers: Cultivating the Northwest Arkansas Neighborhood.

Installing I-540 Flowers

Working with Littlefield and Community Creative Center artist, Susan Hutchcroft and John F. Kennedy Center Arts Integration consultant, Sean Layne, AWE teachers designed, fabricated and installed a public sculpture in front of Nadine Baum Studios. The installation was celebrated with a teacher tableau at the conclusion of AWE Institute. I-540 Flowers featured Littlefield’s whimsical sculpture along the 540 corridor between Fayetteville and Bentonville and celebrated the role of public art in Northwest Arkansas. Lee Littlefield is fondly remembered in Northwest Arkansas.

Installing I-540 Flowers

To learn more about his life and legacy here, and to view how his art impacted the Walton Arts Center, along with all of Northwest Arkansas read I-540 Flowers.

The Art of Wine

In spirit of the Art of Wine Festival this weekend, we decided to brush up on our wine sipping techniques!  Every aspect of drinking wine is outlined from which glasses to use with specific wines, to what food tastes best with wines and there is even a wine family tree! Luckily, we have some handy charts to help explain the vast world of wine.

Image via Wine FollyWith the exception of a tumbler, there are three basic components to a wine glass; bowl, stem and foot.  How large the bowl is, how long the stem is and how wide the foot is determines which glasses best suit different wines.  

Image via Pinterest These guidelines show just how much wine ends up in your glass. This is especially useful when hosting dinners so you know how much you are serving your guests and how much is going into the food you are preparing. {As noted in the image, don't forget to treat yourself!}

Image via Wine Folly Did you know that the easiest foods to match to a wide variety of wines are starches? Or how about that the hardest foods to match with wines are an assortment of vegetables and chocolate? Here is the breakdown of what to eat with certain wines. Review this chart before your next meal to ensure a perfect blend of food and drink!

Image via PinterestThe ever-popular wine and cheese combination is explained with this wheel diagram. Take note of a few cheeses that go well with both a red and white wine, for example Swiss with Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer.  

Image via Pinterest

We thought this was a fun way to show the wine family tree! Refer back to this periodic table of wine the next time you are in question of the origin and color of a specific wine.  

These tips to being a connoisseur of wine will definitely come in handy at the Art of Wine Festival events, June 13 – 15, and tickets are still available. Join us for a fun weekend of tasting delicious wines and enjoying the finest cuisine!  

Jeff Schomburger's Guest Commentary

This article can be read in the Sunday, June 9 edition of the Northwest Arkansas Times, or by visiting NWA Online.  

CHAIRMAN: VISION TO CREATE A QUALITY OF LIFE IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS THAT IS SECOND TO NONE

By JEFF SCHOMBURGER

My family and I have lived in Fayetteville for 10 years and I have served on the Walton Arts Center Board for the past nine, including the last four years as chairman.

Growth at the arts center has been tremendous since its inception, and the past few years have been particularly exciting. The amount of discussion I’ve heard about the Walton Arts Center recently is particularly empowering as it underscores the widespread passion and commitment we all feel for it.

Our vision is to create a quality of life in Northwest Arkansas that is second to none by drawing worldclass arts and entertainment to our region. As we grow, our donors and patrons continue to ask for more programming options. From a business standpoint, we want to ensure Northwest Arkansas, and WaltonArts Center specifi cally, can get the same type of entertainment as Kansas City, St. Louis or Tulsa. We need more space to make this a reality. Our board made a deliberate decision to pursue a strategy of regional facility growth to meet these needs. Renovating Walton Arts Center on Dickson Street is the linchpin of that strategy as this facility is the cornerstone of our organization. We host nearly 350 events a year at WAC, and we see that number growing significantly in the future. I was pleased that at our last board meeting we passed amotion authorizing staff to begin the capital campaign for our $20 million-plus renovation of Walton Arts Center’s Fayetteville campus.

We will see a complete transformation in the next few years on Dickson Street.

We also made a decision to proceed with building a new Arkansas Music Pavilion.

The AMP is a project I have been particularly passionate about. People have asked me, however, how it fits into our plans.

We purchased the AMP nearly three years ago for two reasons: 1) large-scale popular concerts are the No. 1 unmet entertainment need in Northwest Arkansas, and if WAC manages it, we ensure we can program complementary acts and meet community demand; and 2) concerts are profitable. WAC is a nonprofit organization and every year, we raise nearly 50 percent of our annual budget from donations. Whenmoney comes in from AMP concerts, we can use that money to support our most important programs in the community - like engaging more than 50,000 school students in art programming and presenting our 10-by-10 arts series, for which tickets are only $10.

As excited as I am about the AMP, some people have told me they felt uninformed about the process around our decision to locate the AMP at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers. For that, I am sorry. I value constructive feedback, as does our staff , and changes are under way in response. As a nonprofi t arts organization, we rely on broad-based community support and our goal is to always be open and transparent. We shared Mrs. Johnelle Hunt’s gift of land with our board back in May 2012. Our facilities and executive committees met many times over the past 12 months to discuss the AMPand guide staff in the due diligence process. Recent funding for the project was secured, prompting immediate consideration by our full board. We feel confident with our decision.

But we recognize our community wants to be more engaged. In response to this, we will work to expand our communication and engagement eff orts.

I hope you will watch for public input sessions (some have already occurred) on both the WAC expansion and the AMP. Check the Walton Arts Center website for more continuous updates on the planning process, and look for proactive summaries coming out of our board meetings. If you have other ideas for how we can better communicate, I invite you to contact me.

Fayetteville is WAC’s home and, as we grow, will remain our operating headquarters.

With the majority of the arts center staff and 12 of the 20WAC board members living in Fayetteville, we value the character and artistic integrity that makes this community uniquely ours.

We recognize the support of our partners - the city of Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas and visionaries who made Walton Arts Center a reality more than 20 years ago. All of our growth strategies are predicated around ensuring Walton Arts Center remains the best performing arts center in Arkansas and beyond.

My family loves Walton Arts Center and Dickson Street. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board and I look forward to exciting new arts endeavors in Fayetteville and around Northwest Arkansas.

JEFF SCHOMBURGER IS CHAIRMAN OF THE WALTON ARTS CENTER BOARD AND PRESIDENT OF THE GLOBAL WALMART TEAM FOR PROCTER & GAMBLE.

Bringing War Horse to life on stage

We are excited for the War Horse performances next week!  In preparation for the shows, we learned how the puppet Joey works from diagrams provided by The Washington Post.  The puppet is intricate and the puppeteers work hard to bring the horse to life on stage. 

Joey's Head

Joey's Heart

Joey's Hind

Joey's Characteristics The Evolution of Joey

To reserve your tickets for War Horse, visit our website, and to read the full article visit The Washington Post.

Q&A with DanceBrazil - Part 2!

We learned a little about the life of a dancer from Willians Ferreira last week, now Jorlan Gama, a member of DanceBrazil for two years, talks about capoeira, himself and dance. Thanks Jorlan! 

Catch Jorlan and the other DanceBrazil members in our next 10x10 performance Friday, March 1 at 8pm.

Jorlan Gama, a member of DanceBrazil 

 1. What is capoeira?  Explain the role of capoeira in the dances of the company?

Capoeira is a source of energy and inspiration.

2. How do the dancers train?

I can say really hard, 6 days in the week and 6 hours per day.

3. What role does dance have in the lives of Brazilians?

A beautiful display of our culture, acting as an important agent of social and educational growth.

4. What is your favorite thing about being part of Dance Brazil?

To be part of the most diverse dance company in the world and dance my culture through a contemporary view.

5. Do you have an artist you love that might surprise us?

I would say Deborah Colker Dance Company.

6. What kinds of art have been an inspiration to you?

Theatre, music and musicals.

7. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

The way of acting.

8. What has been a memorable place to perform and why?

At Joyce Theater, the energy of the audience is magnificent.

9. Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey?

My parents, always guided me in this artistic trajectory.

10. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

Engineering.

11.  Fill in the blank; Dance is____?

...to live without barriers, embrace the infinite.

Watch Jorlan and the rest of DanceBrazil defy gravity on Friday, March 1!

Q&A with DanceBrazil

“Rejecting gravity for over 30 years” – what a powerful claim! If you’ve ever seen DanceBrazil in action, you know how amazing their feats are!

These amazing dancers show audiences a fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance and Capoeira, a traditional and complex martial art that combines dance and music. Interestingly, capoeira originated as a form of self defense! You can find out more in this article from The New York Times.

DanceBrazil will take the stage in Baum Walker Hall as one of our last 10x10 performances this season on Friday, March 1 at 8pm.

Willians Ferreira, one of the members of DanceBrazil, took some time to answer our questions about dance in his life. Thanks Willians!

 1. How do the dancers train?

I believe that the most important part of a dancer’s training is discipline and professionalism.

2. What is your favorite thing about being part of Dance Brazil?

DanceBrazil is known for being one of the most professional companies in Brazil. I am very happy to be dancing with the company this year.

3. Do you have an artist you love that might surprise us?

My inspiration is Desmond Richardson, of the American dance company “Complexions”.

4. What kinds of art has been an inspiration to you?

After dance, I like music a lot!

5. What has been a memorable place to perform and why?

It was in Miami because it was my first real professional dance job. It was a very emotional experience for me!

6. Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey?

To always have discipline and to be professional no matter where or what you do in life!

7. Fill in the blank; Dance is _____?

...my life and I love to do it!

Come see Willians and the rest of DanceBrazil on Friday, March 1!

Local children to star in The Nutcracker

Whhhhoo, whhhhoo Sorry, had to blow the dust off this ol' blog. But, today we're back with some exciting news!

A couple of weeks ago we held auditions for performers, ages 6-10 years, for the children’s cast of Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker, playing here Friday, December 21 - Sunday, December 23. We had a great turnout for the auditions, and all the kids were so adorable. It definitely made it a difficult choice! So, without further ado, here are the local children that will be in all four performances of The Nutcracker:

Brinklee Backes

Lillebeth Backes

Caroline Blake

Juliana Britt

Katie Drake

Julianna Ferguson

Madison Gates

Ella Kestner

Julia Rain Sowerwine

Olivia Wood

Alternates:

Ella Britt

Celeste Margnerire Dearnley

Congratulations to all! And a big thanks to everyone that came out for the auditions.

You can come watch these local performers during Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker, running December 21 - 23. After all, what's a holiday without Clara, The Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy?

Q&A with Cantus

Have you heard the story of the Christmas truce of 1914? It centers on a remarkable World War I respite between Allied Forces and German soldiers in “no man's land” on Christmas, 1914. You can read more about it in this article from the Minnesota Post.

This incredible story is being brought to life on our stage as the next performance in our 10x10 Arts Series. A collaboration between one of America's finest professional male vocal ensemble, Cantus, and one the most innovative theater companies touring today, Theater Latte Da, "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" will be performed on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm.

Aaron Humble, one of the members of Cantus, took time out to answer some of our questions about this collaboration, and more. Thank you Aaron!

CantusQ&A WITH AARON HUMBLE OF CANTUS:

1. What makes this collaboration so special/unique?  

Cantus is a collaborative chamber ensemble and Theater Latte Da often brings elements of the workshop into the rehearsal room. Writer and Director Peter Rothstein brought all of the materials to the table but the show was really put together with all of the artists in the room. It's also rare to find a theatrical production where all of the music – feature pieces and underscoring – are provided by the human voice.

2. How has this performances influenced your thoughts and opinions about current wars?

I'm thrilled that these wars are winding down. But when we started performing All is Calm several years ago, there was no end in sight for either war. What struck me was that this incredible moment is now all but impossible: Brave soldiers walking into the middle of "no man's land" with their hands raised singing Christmas Carols. Even though they were enemies they shared many commonalities – even a few familiar tunes. As we've found ourselves involved in wars in the Middle East, it's a culture that is so unfamiliar to most of us: The language, the religion, and the customs. It's harder to find a commonality and thus easier to always view these fellow human beings as "the enemy." If any brave man or woman tried to lay down his or her weapon in a modern battle field, they would be shot if they tried to approach the opposing side. And in reality, most of the time they're not even in the same vicinity.  

3. How does the group prepare before each show? 

When we arrive at the venue we check in with the tech folks to make sure they don't have any questions for the basic tech needs of the show. From there we do a sound check and rehearse anything that might need a little tweaking for ensemble or timing. Then we have dinner together and get dressed. There's a wonderful camaraderie between the members of show.

4. What special traditions or rituals does Cantus have?

Everybody has their own routine. Cantus and the actors that come with us do not do any group rituals or routines other than a "huddle" before the show. We huddle together, give a few notes or words of wisdom and do our own version of "go team" with whatever someone calls out before the huddle ends.

5. Which musical artist’s voice do you find most captivating?

My all-time favorite singer is Fritz Wunderlich, a long dead German tenor. More recently, Ruth Ann Swenson and Renee Fleming.  

6. Last song listened to on your Ipod?

Hmmm.  Probably Herbert Howells’ Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis “Collegium Regale.”

7. What’s your favorite Holiday memory?

Every year we bring All is Calm to about 10,000 people.  In recent years, my favorite holiday memory is bringing a show that is poignant and not "saccharine" like so much holiday programming is today. Seeing how much this story has meant to people has been really inspiring.  

Cantus and Theater Latte Da in "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914"

8. What kinds of art has been an inspiration to you?

More than I have time to list. More than anything, I'm inspired by art that speaks to people. Art that is meaningful, not obtuse. 

9. Is there something you enjoy collecting?

Hymnals!

10. What has been a memorable place to perform and why?

Cantus once sang in a sculpture called the Sky Pesher at the Walker Art Museum in Minneapolis. It was as full as it could be with maybe 35 people. We did some improvising and there was just an incredible energy in the room.

11. Is there a dish you love to cook when you are home?

Most of us just love to cook when we're at home because we eat out so much on the road. I'm a big fan of turkey burgers. I'm always coming up with new ways to make them tasty!

12. Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey?

A lot of voice teachers have a poster that says "if you're not practicing someone else is." It's not enough to be a great voice, you have to be a great musician and you have to be incredibly prepared. People don't have time to wait for you to catch up even if you're super talented!

13. Do you have a favorite sport or team that you enjoy watching and supporting?

I grew up in Northeast Ohio near Cleveland. If there's any lesson you learn there from professional sports it's humility... and knowing how to be a good loser!

14. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

Maybe an architect.  

Come see Aaron and the rest of the Cantus group perform with Theater Latte Da in "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" this Thursday, November 29!

"Being Billy"

Last time we shared a video with you about "Finding Billy," and the process the Billy Elliot The Musical team goes through to find their leading role. Today, it's all about the Billy's! Let's take a look at what it's like "Being Billy."

Are you as impressed with these boys as we are? I mean, really, they're amazing. And to top it all off, they're so young! We are so excited to have this show here in Northwest Arkansas in just a couple of weeks. Come see Billy Elliot The Musical at Walton Arts Center Tuesday, December 4 - Sunday, December 9 and see how these boys SHINE on the stage!

Kylend Hetherington (Billy) and Rich Hebert (Dad) in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Kyle Froman

Billy Elliot The Musical Giveaway!

Billy Elliot The Musical is such a fantastic show, and we are really looking forward to having it here in Northwest Arkansas. The New York Post called Billy Elliot "The best show you will ever see!"

Since we're so excited about this show, and we wanted to do a little something to shake up our blog...we decided to have a giveaway for Billy Elliot!!

It's super-duper easy to enter, and we will choose two winners who will each receive two (2) tickets to opening night of Billy Elliot The Musical on Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. Just follow the steps below to enter, and you can receive more entries by completing the "extras" outlined in the instructions. The contest will run through Tuesday, November 27, and we will notify the winners by Wednesday, November 28. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul - A crowd pleaser!

Last night was another awesome night on our 10x10 Arts Series! Eileen Ivers was AH-mazing on the fiddle, and Immigrant Soul was a fantastic band.

We had a great response from our patrons both during the show and after, at the post-show party in the lobby. Check out what they had to say:

Our next 10x10 Arts Series performance is on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm; Cantus and Theater Latte Da present All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. Don't miss this inspiring production that recalls the remarkable World War I truce between Allied Forces and German soldiers in “no man's land” on Christmas, 1914.

Billy Elliot the Musical: Finding Billy

Fresh off our run of Shrek: The Musical, we’re getting excited for our next Broadway performance; Billy Elliot The Musical! Billy Elliot will be here for eight performances, beginning Tuesday, December 4, and running through Sunday, December 9.

A little background on the show for you: Billy Elliot is a small town boy in northern England, who finds his way from the boxing ring to ballet class. At 11 years old, Billy isn’t sure how to handle his surprising talent, but manages to shine with his community behind him.

Now, about those boys that play Billy in the show. Would you believe that many of them are just 'regular' kids? Not classically trained dancers, or professional theatre performers, but just boys that have auditioned when the opportunity arose in their town? We were fascinated by this information!

Here's a little peek into "Finding Billy."