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RESPECT: Top teachers
Julia Reynolds of Russellvilleformer band director at Sheridan High School and Russellville High School and, for 23 years, executive secretary of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, is one of seven recipients of the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Outstanding Music Award Educator Awards. .
Reynolds received the 1997 Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year Award and was inducted into the Arkansas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2019.
And Helen Strickland, a teacher and educator at Little Rock West High School of Innovation, is one of 12 state award winners in the NFHS’ Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator category and one of six state winners in the category of Outstanding Theatre. Strickland previously taught at Arkansas State University, Central High School and Hall High School and served as president and vice president of the Arkansas Communication Theater Arts Association.
AUDITIONS: Shakespeare comedy
Actors Theater of Little Rockin partnership with Henderson State University, will hold auditions for “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Mark A. Burbank, by appointment, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pinnacle View Middle School, 5701 Ranch Drive, Little Rock.
Prepare a Shakespearean monologue of one or two minutes (comedy preferred, but not required). And because the director recognizes that “Shakespeare can be nerve-wracking for the uninitiated,” readers can memorize it or “by-book” and “the level of memorization will not hinder your research.” The theater group “emphasizes inclusion and diversity in singing” and encourages performers of all races, ethnicities, personalities, bodies and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
Production dates are April 6-9 at Henderson State in Arkadelphia. Rehearsals begin in early February and will be two or three days a week until mid-March, split between Little Rock and Arkadelphia. All positions will receive a small stipend and travel allowance.
Make an audition appointment and ask questions by emailing casting@actorstheatrelr.org.
Rogers first
Arkansas Public Theatre will hold auditions for the world premiere of “Survival of the Unfit” by Oren Safdie, 7pm Feb. 13 at Victory Theatre, 116 S. Second St., Rogers. Positions will be set by reading from the script. Download an audition packet, including audition times, activities, introductions and audition times, at arkansaspublictheatre.org/castingandvolunteering. Bring the packet to the auditions.
Doors open at 6:30 pm; callbacks, if needed, will be held on Feb. 14. Production dates are March 24-26, 30-31 and April 1-2. Call (479) 631-8988 or visit arkansaspublictheatre.org for more information.
