Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:
honor: excellent teacher
julia reynolds of russellvilleformer band director at Sheridan High School and Russellville High School, executive secretary of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association for 23 years, and one of seven recipients of the National Federation of State High School Associations Distinguished Music Educator Award one.
Reynolds received the 1997 Arkansas Band Director of the Year Award and was inducted into the Arkansas Band Directors Hall of Fame in 2019.
and Helen Strickland, a teacher and coach at Innovation High School West in Little Rock, is one of 12 state honorees in the NFHS Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator category and one of six state honorees in the Outstanding Drama category. Strickland previously taught at Arkansas State University, Central High School and Hall High School, and served as president and vice president of the Arkansas Communications Theater Arts Association.
audition: shakespeare comedy
Little Rock Actors Theaterin partnership with Henderson State University, will be holding auditions for William Shakespeare’s “As You Wish,” adapted and directed by Mark A. Burbank, by appointment, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pinnacle View Middle School, 5701 Ranch Drive, Little Rock.
Prepare a one- to two-minute Shakespearean monologue (comedy is preferred, but not required). And because the director recognizes that “Shakespeare can be a bit nerve-wracking for those who aren’t good at it,” auditionees can recite or perform it “from a book,” and “memory levels won’t hinder your audition.” The troupe “emphasizes inclusivity and diversity in casting,” and encourages auditions for performers of all nationalities, races, gender identities, sizes and ages, as well as performers with disabilities.
Production dates are April 6-9 in Henderson State, Arkadelphia. Rehearsals start in early February and run two to three days a week until mid-March between Little Rock and Arkadelphia. All roles will receive a small stipend and travel expenses.
Book an audition and ask questions by emailing casting@actorstheatrelr.org.
rogers premiere
Arkansas Public Theater Auditions for the world premiere of Oren Safdie’s “Survival of the Unfit” will be held at the Victory Theater at 116 Rogers S. Second St. on February 13th at 7pm. Auditions will be based on readings of scripts. Download the audition package at arkansaspublictheatre.org/castingandvolunteering, including audition times, scenes, character descriptions, and rehearsal schedule. Bring the packet to the audition.
Doors open at 6:30 pm; pullback will be February 14th if needed. Production dates are March 24-26, March 30-31 and April 1-2. Call (479) 631-8988 or visit arkansaspublictheatre.org for more information.
