Community theater meeting changed due to conflict

By submitted, 09/8/19 7:59 AM

HOPE – Due to a scheduling conflict, the organizational meeting location for the formation of a southwest Arkansas community theater group has been changed.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, September 12 at the McLarty Room at the Amtrak Depot at the north end of Main Street, across from Tailgater’s Restaurant..

George S. Smith, former executive director of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, said, “The first meeting of a trio of scheduled meetings is designed to form a theater group to regularly perform a variety of plays, Broadway musicals and musical reviews.

Smith, a native of Hope and former editor of the Hope Star and Texarkana Gazette, was co-founder of four little theater troupes in Arkansas and Texas, will chair the meeting and give an overview of the group’s proposed mission and organizational structure.
Ideas for a possible first performance — a dinner theater tentatively scheduled for March 2020 — will be discussed; input from attendees will be encouraged, Smith said.
A survey and initial auditions (singers, dancers, comedic and dramatic actors) will be held at the meeting, Smith said. “We will be requesting anyone who attends to please bring any material they would use to showcase their talent for a very short audition,” Smith said. “We are simply starting to collect information about interest and talent for the theater group.”

No music will be available but recorded music can be used as required. A CD player will be available, as will a computer with access to YouTube or karaoke-type music sites. “We just want to judge interest forming a local theater group and get an idea of what talent is available,” he said.

He said “a minimum of two additional auditions will be held in case of scheduling conflicts – one tentatively in December and one in early January.”

There is no set lineup for the first production, which is scheduled as a fundraiser for start-up funds for the group, as well as for local non-profit organizations.

Smith said, “An idea for a first performance – a four-act musical review featuring songs from the 1950s-‘60s, a selection of Broadway tunes, various types and styles of  gospel music and a patriotic salute to America – will be presented at the meeting.” But “at this point, any thoughts and ideas about the first production are welcome and encouraged.” Those attending the first meeting will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire stating their interests in the types of stage or dinner theater performances.

Anyone who cannot attend the first meeting can contact Smith to receive a questionnaire by email.
Smith also said, “The type of production being considered is designed to fit any schedule in regard to rehearsals. Production numbers will be broken into vignettes, allowing small groups to rehearse on their own timeframe. “This make it easier for those who would have problems coming to a central location for multiple rehearsals.”

Staging and blocking for the actors can be done in a short period of time, he said, alleviating many of the scheduling conflicts of working parents, students or other commitments.”

Anyone having any questions can contact Smith at 501-259-8545 (call or text) or email gsid143@gmail.com .