Theater meetings better than expected

HOPE – The first of three organizational meetings and auditions for a community theater were “simply incredible, and much better than anticipated”, according to Bobbie Smith, co-organizer of the project.

She said the “caliber of talent shown during the audition portion of the meeting was outstanding in every way.” 

George S. Smith, former executive director of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, and co-founder and director of four community theater groups in Arkansas and Texas, said, “Southwest Arkansas is ready for live, local community theater if this first meeting is any indication of interest and talent available.”

Those attending represented a cross-section of demographics of the area, he said, “which is exactly what should be the focus of any startup arts organization.”

In his overview of the tentative organizational structure and first performance set for next spring, Smith outlined a possible lineup of acts. These included a dinner with entertainment, followed by a four-act musical review featuring music from the 1950s-60s, gospel, Broadway standards, and a patriotic salute to America.

The second meeting of the group is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, October 10 at the McLarty Room at the Amtrak Depot.