The School of Literary and Performing Arts at UA Little Rock invites the campus and community to attend “Games of Chance: A Casino Night of Opera and Musical Theatre.”

The production, co-directed by Dr. Larry Smith and Kate Sain, features a concert staging of short opera works and beloved musical theatre scenes, each dealing with the idea of fortune in the game of life.

Performances are scheduled for Nov. 14-16 at 7:30 p.m in the University Theatre, which is located in the Center for Performing Arts (CPA) building on the UA Little Rock campus.

Co-produced by both the music and theatre arts programs, these performances bring together a variety of disciplines from the School of Literary and Performing Arts. They also highlight the work of new faculty and staff at UA Little Rock, as they feature scenic design work by assistant professor of theatre Karen Dauenhauer and technical director Robert Warner. The show includes musical direction by Dr. Nickolas Doshier, assistant professor of music, who conducts a 15-piece orchestra composed of Arkansas Symphony Orchestra musicians, community members, faculty, and students to accompany the vocal performances.

“When Dr. Lorissa Mason approached Kris McAbee and me about linking production to a joint music and theatre-led opera class, we believed it was the right time to pilot this kind of integrated student opportunity,” said Stacy Pendergraft, co-director of the School of Literary and Performing Arts. “Dr. Nickolas Doshier’s incredible assemblage of the orchestra was an unexpected, delightful strengthening of the offering. In all of my 22 years experience here at UA Little Rock, there has not been this kind of substantial instrumental support of live opera and musical theatre performance. It’s an ambitious, wonderful team effort across the board.”

“These innovations come only one year into the existence of the School of Literary and Performing Arts,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “This remarkable achievement reflects the commitment of the faculty of the school to innovate opportunities for students and the care of the school directors in facilitating such opportunities.”

The event is free, and no reservations are required. For more information, contact the School of Literary and Performing Arts at 501-916-3291 or email [email protected].