Fall classes teach everything from art to sewing
LARA JO HIGHTOWER
lhightower@nwadg.com
TheatreSquared is known for its professional theater productions and groundbreaking new play festival — but did you know the organization also offers a plethora of acting classes, taught by professional actors?
“When we talk about growing a theater company, it’s about growing a love of theater, and it’s about engaging with the community,” says Morgan Hicks, T2 co-founder and director of education and program development. “We don’t want to be the arbiters of ‘This is good; this is bad.’ We want people to be engaged in the art form and to be exploring it and to be something beyond just an observer. We want to interact with the community and, rather than them leaning back, we want them leaning forward, getting on their feet and on the stage.”
What that engagement looks like at T2: a slate of seven acting classes, taught by industry professionals, that run throughout the year. Instructors include professional actors such as University of Arkansas instructor Steven Marzolf and Jordan Haynes, learning programs and company manager at T2.
Though there are several classes tailored specifically for those who might seek to become working actors — an audition class and Shakespeare instruction, for example — Hicks points out that there are several offerings ideal for people with varying backgrounds and career goals.
“We have one student who keeps taking classes who has no interest in being an actor,” says Hicks. “She says one thing that she challenges herself to do is get outside her comfort zone once or twice a month. It’s a great way to meet new people in the community and make new friends. We also have some specific skill-building classes, like public speaking for non-actors, for people who have a business brain but don’t necessarily have a background in speaking in front of people. That can be a major fear, and this class can help them get a confidence boost when they’re making presentations in a boardroom or in front of their classes.”
FAQ
Acting, Improv & Public Speaking
WHEN — Classes run from one to five sessions, depending on type; see website for dates and times
WHERE — TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring St., Fayetteville
COST — $50-$150
INFO — theatre2.org/classes
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The Rest Of The Best
If the sight of school supplies on the shelves is making you nostalgic for your own school days, never fear — whether your interests tend toward the artistic, academic or recreational, there’s a class in Northwest Arkansas with your name on it. We’ve listed a few of the options for both adults and children; now all you have to do is sign up, grab your No. 2 pencils, and hit the books!
Fayetteville
Arts Live Theatre
818 N. Sang Ave.
521-4932
info@artslivetheatre.com
The After School Acting Academy at Arts Live starts on Sept. 23 and runs through Nov. 19. Classes are available for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Local Color Studio Gallery
275 S. Archibald Yell Blvd.
461-8761
Group and private art lessons for kids (ages 7-18) and adults.
Studio Leilani
254 N. Olive Ave.
442-4396
Classes for children and adults start in the fall.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
211 E. Dickson St.
575-4545
OLLI at the University of Arkansas describes itself as a local service organization providing learning opportunities, cultural programs and social activities for adults. Classes, hikes, games, walking tours, field trips, book clubs and special interest groups serve some 600 members.
Terra Studios
12103 Hazel Valley Road
643-3185
Mini-workshops for kids and adults are offered year-round.
Community Creative Center
505 W. Spring St.
571-2706
Art and pottery classes for kids and adults.
Rick’s Bakery
1220 N. College Ave.
442-2166
The popular bakery offers cake decorating workshops for kids and adults.
Pilot Arts Theatre
4500 S. School Ave.
879-1034
Pilot Arts’ theater classes, says the website, are open to “first timers or seasoned veterans” alike.
Paper and Thread Studio
www.paperandthread.me
463-0105
Classes for ages 5 and up focus on simple sewing, journaling and paper crafts.
American Legion, Post 27
1195 S. Curtis St.
Free two-step dance lessons are held most Wednesdays at 6 p.m., followed by an evening of a live country band.
University of Arkansas Community Music School
171 Moody Music Building
205-348-6741
Group classes and private lessons for non-degree seeking students of all ages.
Fayetteville Public Schools Adult and Community Education
612 S. College Ave.
444-3041
Opportunities for adults include GED, ESL, workplace and citizenship classes.
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Springdale
The Jones Center
922 E. Emma Ave., Springdale
756-8090
The Jones Center always has something going on. Check the event schedule for classes in ice skating, cooking, self defense and dance.
Arkansas Arts and Fashion Forum
203 E. Emma Ave., Springdale
422-7305
Basic sewing skills class starts Sept. 5; check the website (www.arkansasfashion.org) for updates about more class offerings.
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Lowell
Flip Side Ninja Park
213 Grant Place
927-6070
Classes for adults and children in ninja skills, obstacle race courses and aerial yoga.
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Rogers
Honeycomb Kitchen Shop
213 W. Walnut, Rogers
340-1022
Classes for adults in everything from cooking to baking to preserving.
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Bentonville
Trike Theatre
902 SW Second St.
464-5084
info@triketheatre.org
Six-week Fall Academy classes for grades 3-12 start in September (Fall I Session) and October (Fall II Session).
Scott Family Amazeum
1009 Museum Way
696-9280
info@amazeum.org
Fall drop-in dates for early learners (ages 6 and younger) can be found on the website; watch that space for future mini-camp dates for older kids.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
600 Museum Way
418-5700
Art classes for babies all the way up to adults.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
One College Drive
986-4000
NWACC says its adult education division “empowers individuals to return back to the classroom and become more self-sufficient by gaining the skills necessary for higher education, future employment, and personal successes.” Offerings include GED classes, workforce training, citizenship classes and English as a Second Language classes.
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Elsewhere
Eureka Springs School of the Arts
15751 US 62, Eureka Springs
253-5384
Art classes for adults in mediums that range from painting and drawing to iron.
Cutting Edge Glass Creations
3990 E. Heritage Parkway, Farmington
595-0535
Stained glass instruction for adults.
Ozark Folkways
22733 N. US 71, Winslow
634-3791
This organization dedicates itself to the “preservation, development, instruction, and celebration of Ozark arts, crafts, and music by hosting workshops, concerts, film screenings, art shows, crafts displays, and much more,” according to the website; check class listings for offerings like soap making, cooking and papermaking.
Ozark Natural Science Center
1905 Madison 1305, Huntsville
202-8340
Check the schedule for unusual classes like primitive skills, certified interpretive guide training and wilderness first aid training.
Send additions to this list to lhightower@nwadg.com for a winter edition.
