Walton Arts Center

Share your reactions to the unusual performance on April 13th.  All comments are reviewed before posting.

Flat Stanley visited Walton Arts Center for the performance by the African Children’s Choir on Feb. 21. He hung out with Lesh and Eli (kids of lifepluskids blogger Terri Chadick) at the show and had a great time.

He was also at the reception thanking principals from all over Northwest Arkansas who have committed their schools to be part of the 100% Schools initiative - they have committed to bringing 100% of their students to the arts center for our Colgate Classroom Series. How cool is that?

Dear Walton Arts Center,

Thank you for letting Flat Stanley go to the Shaolin Warriors with us. He had his own seat and everything! We liked the show because we got to go up on stage and learn kung fu moves. We liked Flat Stanley because he was so big and looked real. Thanks again!

Lesh and Eli Chadick

Check our Lesh and Eli’s mom’s blog and website at lifepluskids.com!

A letter from Robert, 2nd Grader at Washington Elementary School

Dear Ms. Laura:

My name is Robert. Flat Stanley and I went to Walton Arts Center tonight (9/27/07) to see Swimmy, Frederick and Inch by Inch. I have the book about Frederick and I like it a lot - especially when Frederick talks about gathering words and sun rays and stuff like that.

After the show, we got to meet the puppeteers and some of the puppets - Stanley had his picture made with Frederick and his puppeteer and another with Inchworm. Stanley really liked seeing that Frederick was FLAT, too!

Something really cool about tonight is that we got to wear our pajamas to the show. I wore my Batman pajamas, and Stanley wore a pair of red pajamas. My neighbors got to go to the show with us, and they wore their pajamas, too.

Thank you for bringing such a neat show for us to see.

It’s such an exciting time - now we can really stop talking about this amazing event and start really planning! Our decor committee and the technical crew are busy buying fabric and designing the “circus tent” decorations. We’re finalizing our entertainment acts - which so far include Full House, The Passing Zone and the Ben Harris Trio. We’ve got a menu, and a really incredible floor plan for the Oasis Moment, sponsored by Dove Brand Chocolate.

Stay tuned for auction photos and more from the planning committee!

What did you think of Hairspray? Did the issues in the story resonate with you or were you most enthralled with the amazing costumes and that incredible sparkling backdrop? What was your favorite moment in Hairspray? Who was your favorite character? We want to hear from you!

Please note that all blog comments are subject to approval before posting. Comments that contain foul language will not be approved under any circumstances. If you have a specific customer service request, please do not leave it on the blog - visit the “Talk to Us” page on the Walton Arts Center homepage .

Flat Stanley hung out with bluesman Guy Davis, Kennedy Center teaching
artist Sean Layne and members of the 2007 AWE (Arts with Education)
teachers in August 2007.

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Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe visited Walton Arts Center in July 2007 - the Governor’s wife is a big Flat Stanley fan!

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Welcome to the first blog entry for the Walton Arts Center High School Broadway Club, featuring James Kall of the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Many, many thanks to Mr. Kall for taking time from his VERY busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Mr. Kall plays Vice-Principal Doug Panch, the “official word pronouncer” of the Spelling Bee. Vice-Principal Panch returns after a 5 year absence, due to an “incident” that occurred during his last appearance. No one wishes to discuss the “incident”, but Doug is a bit uptight and has anger management issues. Children seem to push all the wrong buttons around him, and as hard as he tries to remain calm, he is a loose canon. Doug loves the clothes he wore in the 1970’s and continues to wear them today!

Walton Arts Center staff asked Mr. Kall a few questions to help us understand how he became an Broadway touring actor.

Question: Where are you from originally?
Answer: I was born in Cleveland, OH and grew up in the suburb of Maple Heights, OH. But I spent most every summer in the Ozarks, visiting my grandparents in Missouri and my relatives in Arkansas, so I am thrilled to be back in Razorback Country. I currently live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Question: How did you find your way to a Broadway tour?
Answer: I trained to be an actor at Northwestern University in Chicago and at the Yale School of Drama. I have worked as an actor for 25 years. After appearing in the tour of the musical “Mamma Mia!”, the Casting Director from that show thought I might be right for this role in “Spelling Bee” and called me in to audition for it. I received the call that all actors love to receive…”You got the job.” I am very thankful. I love touring. What a great way to explore this wonderful country.

Question: What is your favorite part about SPELLING BEE?
Answer: I love the fact that there are 4 audience volunteers on stage with us during every performance. Basically, we have 4 new cast members every show. No other show is like that, so there is a great deal of spontaneity and improvisation involved. The show is always very fresh. To me, it is very rewarding and very challenging…and often very, very silly.

Question: How do you prepare to go on stage every night?
Answer: I do a little bit of warming up, vocally and physically, but as soon as I slip into those plaid polyester pants and thick glasses…I become Doug Panch and embrace the inner nerd in me!