Weekly Update!
Rather this substack be nine people's favorite thing than a hundred people's 9th favorite thing
Happy Saturday, theatre lovers!
This week, we've got some big news to share from all over Central Arkansas. You'll find out about a few exciting audition opportunities — including one that I'm personally directing! We also have a few shows opening soon that you'll definitely want to get tickets for before they sell out. Plus, there are some wonderful new hires and cast announcements you'll want to read about. Let's dive in!
Auditions Announced for [title of show]
We're kicking off the weekend with some huge news that I'm personally super excited about. I'm directing a show at The Weekend Theater, and the auditions for the fantastic musical [title of show] have just been announced!
This show is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the creative process and the friendships that form when you're trying to make a dream a reality. It's all about two writers, Jeff and Hunter, who have just three weeks to create a musical for a festival. With the help of their friends, Susan and Heidi, they go on a wild ride filled with laughter, challenges, and some serious discoveries about what really matters.
If you're interested in being part of this incredible production, here are the details:
Auditions: Saturday, October 4 at 10:00am & Sunday, October 5 at 6:00pm.
Show Dates: January 17 through February 1, 2026.
Ages: All auditioners must be 18+.
Casting: Parts are available for all gender expressions and ethnicities.
No appointment is needed for these open-call auditions. For a deeper look at the character breakdowns and to find the online audition form, visit weekendtheater.org/auditions. I can't wait to see you there!
Opening Soon: Playing With Fire: After Frankenstein
Speaking of The Weekend Theatre, We're only two weeks away from opening night for Playing With Fire: After Frankenstein!
Inspired by Mary Shelley's classic novel, this play finds an exhausted and dying Victor Frankenstein finally tracking down the Creature in the frozen North Pole. Frankenstein is determined to destroy the evil he believes he created, but he has to confront his own responsibility and guilt first.
From everything that I’ve seen about this show, it promises to be a powerful, thought-provoking show you won't want to miss. But coming from TWT, it’s no surprise that this will most likely leave us wanting more and filled with questions!
Here's a look at the talented cast who will be bringing this production to life:
Frankenstein: Joshua Lanham
Creature: Lawrence Blake
Victor: Trey Moore
Adam: Kota White
Elizabeth: Shaina Tippitt
Professor Krempe: Rafiki Brown
Playing With Fire will run from October 3 through October 19.
Tickets are on sale now! Grab yours at weekendtheater.org/tickets.
Cast Announcement: The Rocky Horror Show
Get ready to do the "Time Warp" again, Central Arkansas!
The Actor's Theatre of Little Rock (ATLR) just announced the cast for what I know will be one of the most fabulous shows of the season: The Rocky Horror Show! They've brought together a multitude of highly talented, incredibly wonderful friends for this one.
You'll see the illustrious Dani Carney as Janet Weiss and Quinton Sanders as Brad Majors, bringing those iconic characters to life. Drew Posey is rocking it out as Eddie, while Jeremiah Herman (Rocky), Jonathan Fili (Riff Raff), Amelia Strickland (Magenta), and Georgeann Burbank (Columbia) will be bringing Dr. Frank-N-Furter's castle to life as his merry band and monstrously handsome creature. I'm also beyond thrilled to get my first chance seeing Mari Allen take the stage in full force as the dear doctor himself!
Not to mention the stellar ensemble of phantoms, including Evanee Dra'a Dokes, Makenzie Burks, Taylor Fulgham, Peyton Greenwood, Ivy McGrew, Belle Overstreet, Dustin Stokes, John Broadwater, and so many more!
They're bringing back the show that started it all in their Season 0 — now celebrating the fabulous 50th anniversary of this cult classic like never before. Expect outrageous fun, pelvic thrusts, and a night you'll never forget!
The dazzling, delicious, and downright dangerous cast of The Rocky Horror Show is ready to TIME WARP you into another dimension!
Tickets go on sale soon… I see you shiver with antici…pation!
Death of Kings — A Must-See at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts!
Get ready for a powerful, groundbreaking new play! Death of Kings, by Arkansas veteran Ben Grimes, premieres on September 26 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. This is AMFA's first theatrical work specifically designed for teenage audiences (12+), and it's a profound experience you absolutely won't want to miss.
This 55-minute play dives into an American soldier's journey through enlistment, war, and the return home, masterfully blending Shakespearean text with modern storytelling. It's a raw, riveting subject, expertly brought to life, and I do not doubt that Quinn Gasaway's talent will shine through in a truly impactful way. The play explores the true cost of freedom and the incredible resilience it takes to heal.
What makes this production even more special is its comprehensive approach, including mental health professionals at every performance for post-show discussions, plus a dedicated quiet room for guest comfort.
This is a free production, but it's only running for a very brief time, so you need to secure your tickets fast before they're all gone!
Here are the showtimes:
Friday, September 26: 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 27: 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, September 28: 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
After each performance, mental health professionals will lead an interactive conversation on art, trauma, and recovery.
Learn more and grab your tickets now at: https://bit.ly/4ceFe9r
You can also get a sneak peek with the preview here:
"Death of Kings" is supported by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Cardinal Counseling. Mental health support is provided in collaboration with Dr. Jason Williams at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Counseling. Children’s Theatre and Performing Arts programs are supported in part by the Shubert Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
A Christmas Story: The Musical Auditions are Coming!
It's beginning to look a lot like… auditions!
Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) just announced open auditions for A Christmas Story: The Musical! Don't miss your chance to be part of this holiday classic. I had the chance to see it last year and it was an absolutely marvelous, on-stage rendition of one of my favorite films from Chrismas’ past.
Here's what you need to know:
Auditions: Saturday, October 4 | 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Callbacks: Sunday, October 5 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Performances: December 10 – 21, 2025
Head to this link to sign up and show them what you've got!
Directors Announced for A Christmas Story
In more big news from ACT, the theater is bringing on some true North Little Rock legends to direct the show. The namesakes of the ACT Academy, Pris Benson and Carol Ann McAdams, will be directing A Christmas Story.
These two are the real deal, with over 40 years combined as theater educators and directors at North Little Rock High School. Artistic Director Coburn Goss said, "Pris and Carol Ann are the standard bearers for theater excellence in NLR. I'm honored they'll be joining us here at ACT for Christmas."
Benson and McAdams are known for creating the largest communication, theater, dance, and competitive speech program in the state and for producing huge, Broadway-like musicals that involved hundreds of students. Their vision has always been to welcome all students and give them opportunities to succeed.
Pris and Carol Ann are thrilled to be working with ACT, saying they "have always loved what ACT represents" and are "delighted to work alongside" Coburn Goss, a North Little Rock High School graduate.
It's an exciting step with ACT to see Pris and Carol Ann joining the team for this year's holiday production!
Welcome to Wildwood, Christina Muñoz!
This is wonderful news for Wildwood! They've hired Christina Muñoz as their new Director of Communications.
Christina is the co-founder of her own strategic marketing firm, Muñoz Pugh. She also has a deep history in the broadcast world, spending 11 years at KATV Channel 7, where she rose from reporter to anchoring the state's most-watched newscasts for nine years. She was even recognized as Arkansas' most popular news anchor.
But what's really exciting is her background in theater. Christina has a lifelong love of the performing arts, with professional training in ballet and years of experience choreographing for local productions, including Wildwood's own Peter Pan. She's also currently doing choreography for High School Musical: On Stage! and teaches dance at Red Curtain Theatre in Conway.
Christina will be a key leader at Wildwood, shaping its public image and brand messaging. It's fantastic to see such a powerhouse of talent stepping into this position. Her passion for the arts and her extensive professional experience are a perfect match, and I know she'll be an amazing asset to Wildwood!
That's all the big news for this week! I'll be back next Monday with more updates on upcoming shows, auditions, and other exciting happenings in the Central Arkansas theatre world.
Got a show or an event you'd like us to feature in an upcoming newsletter? Just reply to this email and let me know!
Upcoming Shows & Tickets
Jekyll & Hyde The Musical - The Royal Theatre - SEPT. 11-21 - CLOSING TOMORROW
A Raisin in the Sun - ATLR - SEPT. 10-20 - SOLD OUT
Death of Kings - AMFA - OPENING SEPT. 26
The Rocky Horror Show - Club Sway - OPENING OCT. 2 ←FIRST OCT. REVIEW!!!
High School Musical - Wildwood - OPENING OCT. 10