Inspiring the Next Generation Through Theater
With the help of OzarksGo, TheatreSquared’s education program helps students on and off the stage
By Abby Lee, OzarksGo Senior Marketing Specialist
At TheatreSquared, the impact extends far beyond the stage. Through its Arts Education program, the organization helps people of all ages discover creativity, build confidence and form lasting connections.
As Northwest Arkansas’s professional nonprofit theater, education has been at the heart of TheatreSquared for over 20 years. What started as a few summer camps has grown into a year-round program with opportunities for everyone.
Whether you dream of performing, want to work backstage, or just hope to make new friends, there’s a place for you. TheatreSquared offers camps and classes in acting, improvisation, musical theatre, playwriting, Shakespeare and more. The organization also offers free residential camps, touring productions, school residencies, teacher training, apprenticeships and family programs throughout the year.
Emily Tomlinson, TheatreSquaredʼs Director of Education, believes the program is about much more than memorizing lines or performing.
“In June we began working on our first-ever Musical Theatre Academy,” Tomlinson said. “It brought together students from sixth through twelfth grade from across Northwest Arkansas. Some had long resumes, while many had never been in a musical before. They all had met for the first time on a Monday, and within just a few days they had formed incredibly close bonds.”
Parents soon began sharing stories that truly showed what TheatreSquared is all about.
“After camp each night, the students were going home and hopping on phone calls together for hours, running their lines, practicing their songs and cheering each other on,” she said. “The support was astounding. They presented a beautiful production of Newsies Jr., but more importantly, I believe they left this experience with new friends they never would have met otherwise.”
Those friendships reflect TheatreSquared’s larger mission: to change lives through theater while encouraging empathy, inclusion and lifelong learning. Along the way, students build communication, teamwork and creative-thinking skills while learning to see the world from different perspectives.
Making programs accessible is a key part of TheatreSquared’s mission. Scholarships are offered for every program, and many performances and activities are free or low cost. Touring productions and school residencies bring theater to schools across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri at no cost. TheatreSquared believes that everyone should have the chance to experience the arts, no matter where they live or what they can afford.
Even those who don’t want to participate can still make an impact. Financial donations and volunteers help TheatreSquared continue expanding access to arts education throughout the region.
The internet service at TheatreSquared is powered by OzarksGo. “One of the best parts of providing reliable internet service to our communities is seeing how it is being used,” said Coby Brown, manager of business development. “We are proud that we can help TheatreSquared connect people together through the creativity and shared experiences of live theater.”
To learn more or find out how to get involved, visit theatre2.org.
‛They all had met for the first time on a Monday, and within just a few days they had formed incredibly close bonds.’
Emily Tomlinson
Director of Education, TheatreSquared
TheatreSquared's education programs are designed to promote teamwork, creative thinking and communication skills. (Photos provided).
TheatreSquared by the Numbers:
12,569 Students and teachers in 85 schools in 40 cities reached through the T2 schools tour
1,311 Students attended student matinees at free or reduced prices
660 Students at camps, classes and trainings
25 Teen council members
615 Students reached through
in-school residencies at 11 schools
175 Scholarships given, totaling $32,000
309 Miles to furthest school visited on tour (West Memphis High School)
4 Apprentices in the competitively compensated T2 Apprentice program, helping launch the careers of the next generation of arts leaders