Mike Thomas’ Digging Up Arkansas to tour the state from April to May | Community Announcement
Announcement, News — By Christopher Spencer on February 8, 2011 at 6:09 pmWalton Arts Center announces a state-wide approach to arts learning with a new tour of Digging Up Arkansas, an original play based on Arkansas history. The spring tour, which will reach 5-6,000 3rd-5th students throughout central, northeast and southwest Arkansas in April and May, is part of a larger goal to demonstrate the power of the arts to improve classroom learning by engaging more than 26,000 Arkansas students over the next two years.
Digging up Arkansas is a unique collaboration; written by Mike Thomas, commissioned and produced by Walton Arts Center, acted and directed by Trike Theatre and supported by the Arkansas Arts Council, private foundations, individuals, corporate donations and an anonymous challenge grant, Digging up Arkansas tells the story of three writers from the Federal Writer’s Project who invite students to explore and organize historical artifacts before President Roosevelt’s scheduled arrival in Arkansas. The writers unearth Arkansas mysteries and demonstrate how communication, cooperation, courage and culture have shaped state history. Making historical facts fun and relevant for school aged children, this engaging play uses a creative approach to teaching Arkansas history by incorporating music, artifacts and tableau or “living pictures.”
Laura Goodwin, VP of Learning and Engagement at Walton Arts Center says, “With the generous help of sponsors and contributors, we were able to raise more than $150,000 to take Digging Up Arkansas on the road! The spring tour allows us to support student achievement all over Arkansas. Goodwin adds, “We have learned from our tour in Northwest Arkansas that Digging Up Arkansas is a welcome addition to the school curriculum and we look forward to bringing the play to students beyond our region.”
The goal of Digging Up Arkansas is to make Arkansas history more memorable through performances and teacher resources. In partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project, Arkansas history lesson plans related to the play are being developed.
*Digging Up Arkansas Spring Tour Schedule:
Monday, April 25 Clarksville
Tuesday, April 26 Russellville
Wednesday, April 27 Conway
Thursday, April 28 Augusta
Monday, May 2 Cabot
Tuesday, May 3 Searcy
Wednesday, May 4 Arkadelphia
Thursday, May 5 Camden
Friday, May 6 El Dorado
Monday, May 9 Little Rock
Tuesday, May 10 Little Rock
Wednesday, May 11 Little Rock
Thursday, May 12 Little Rock
Monday, May 16 Texarkana
Tuesday, May 17 Helena
Wednesday, May 18 Pocahontas
* For a more complete schedule and updates, visit www.waltonartscenter.org
[This community announcement courtesy of the Walton Arts Center.]
See our ongoing coverage: Creative Economy, Theater, Walton Arts Center
SIMILAR POSTS
- Digging Up Arkansas continues run at NWA schools | Announcement at 10:39 pm on September 13, 2011
- ‘Digging Up Arkansas’ fall tour begins at WAC’s SmART residency schools | Community Announcement at 10:59 pm on November 3, 2010
- Digging Up Arkansas plays June 15 in Fayetteville | Announcement at 1:04 pm on May 27, 2011
- WAC’s Artosphere to host poetry event based on Mary Oliver’s poems | Press Release at 9:32 pm on March 5, 2010
- Putting Humor in History | Five Questions with Mike Thomas of Digging Up Arkansas at 12:37 pm on October 28, 2010
Loading ...
1 Comment
I’m interested in bringing your program to our school. I am the 6th grade teacher at Spradling Elementary in Fort Smith, Ar.