ACANSA, Argenta Community Theater, Ballet Arkansas and Opera in the Rock are pleased to announce a three-week multi-disciplinary collaboration, Arts All Access. The virtual series will feature nine masterclasses from professional artists across creative genres, three topical discussions, and three streaming performance broadcasts. Masterclasses and other programs are geared toward teen and adult artists, participants and observers. The series will run from September 21 – October 9th.
Masterclass Presenters:
September 21st, 7:30pm “#OperaHarmony: Directing Opera in a Digital Age” with Ella Marchment, an international opera director and educator, having worked with companies including The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Wexford Festival Opera, Copenhagen Opera Festival, Bury Court Opera, The Juilliard School, The Royal College of Music, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama and most recently launching #OperaHarmony, a global initiative creating micro-opera during the pandemic.
September 22nd, 7:30pm “Contemporary, Broadway Dance and Audition Q/A” with Marc Holland, internationally renowned Broadway and touring dance veteran whose credits include Cats, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls and La Cage Aux Folles, with numerous professional choreographic and instructional credits.
September 23rd, 7:30pm – “Musical Theatre Audition Tips and Tricks” with Laura Leigh Turner, a North Little Rock native, who most recently played Karen in Mean Girls on Broadway. Laura-Leigh will share her tips and tricks for musical theatre auditions with participants.
September 28th, 7:30pm – “Text Attack – How to get the most out of your Monologue or Scene” with Ashlie Atkinson, a Little Rock native whose film, tv and stage credits include Spike Lee’s Black Klannsman and Inside Man, Mr. Robot, Rescue Me, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and numerous Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre roles.
September 29th, 7:30pm – “Black on the Block: William Grant Still’s Connection to Little Rock” with Jamiee & Ron Jensen-McDaniel, community musicians, classically trained vocalists and teachers based in the central Arkansas area. They are alumni of the University of Limerick, where they received their MAs with top honors. Currently, Jaimee teaches at the University of Central Arkansas and Ron works with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
September 30th, 7:30pm – “Ballet and Variations” with Renato Penteado, Brazilian native, formerly a celebrated Principal Dancer with the Miami City Ballet. Presently, Renato is a highly sought-after master teacher across the USA and abroad.
October 5th, 7:30pm – “Excerpts of Contemporary Repertory and Improvisation” with Mariana Oliviera, visionary contemporary choreographer. Past credits include the New York City Ballet Choreographic Institute, Nashville Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Carolina Ballet, BalletX, Dayton Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Academy, Madison Ballet, National Choreographers Initiative, Ballet Arkansas, American Midwest Ballet, and Chicago Repertory Ballet, among others.
October 6th, 7:30pm – “Creating Your Own Work” with Chris James, North Little Rock native and award-winning spoken word poet, TED Talk speaker, playwright, educator, photographer and author. He is the founder of Arkansas’ only poetry venue and second black owned gallery, The House of Art.
October 7th, 7:30pm – “The Operatic Singer as Artist and Athlete” with Francesca Mondanaro, internationally acclaimed dramatic soprano, whose teaching clients include lead actors on Broadway (Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd National Tour) and guest artists at Glimmerglass Opera, Vancouver Opera, Arizona Opera, Kammeroper Hannover and many, many more.
This collaboration is the first of its kind for the four partner organizations, and grew out of a desire to create meaningful connection, discussion and learning opportunities across arts disciplines during this unprecedented time for the performing arts. Tickets for individual master classes are $20 each, and an all access pass to all masterclasses and events will be available for $150. A reduced registration cost will be available to students and educators. Thursday evening panel discussions and interviews will be presented free of charge, and Friday evening virtual performances are “pay what you can.” More information, All Access Passes and individual registration for all events will be available at acansa.org.
