"Serendipity" means finding valuable or agreeable things not sought, and the ACO offers the chance to experience it firsthand. Each season we choose several unique performances we believe will enhance our audiences' creative experiences.

2008-2009 Season:

To view a printable order form : Click here!

FIRST BAPTIST OF IVY GAP SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 9:30am                                              

A Southern comedy revolving around six women and their relationships during the war days of 1945 & 1970.  Six strong women survive at home while their men are away.  They learn to love each other and themselves during the times they are together, doing service at the churge to support the war effort.

APPROPRIATE FOR Junior to Senior High

LA SECRETA DE LA LAGARITIA SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 2008 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm

The fun of folktales from Mexico will be center stage when the Teatro de la Rosa performs for families. Founded in 2000 as Fort Worths only Hispanic theatre, this energetic troupe has already won numerous local and national awards for childrens theatre.  Using hand-crafted masks, live music, and lots of audience participation, they will tell the tale of La Lagarita Poderosa(the Mighty Lizard).  Fully bi-lingual, the story is about a mischievous prince on a magical journey where he encournters giants and talking animals.  A delightful way to help build cultural and language bridges within the school community.

APPROPRIATE FOR 1st-5th grade and ESL/Spanish Classes  Click Here For Study Guide

I'M SORRY THE BRIDGE IS OUT... OCTOBER 31, 2008 9:00am, 11:45am,

Back again!  Just like Vampires, Mummies and Monsters!  This musical is the perfect Halloween celebration written by the guy who ave us "The Monster Mash"!  Innocence is lost and found in this witty ditty of a talke about how Dr. Frankenstein and Count Dracula vie for the brains and bodies of two innocents who just happen to be caught with the bridges down!  Family fun for everyone this Halloween!!                                                                                                        APPROPRIATE FOR 5th grade to Senior High

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES NOVEMBER 6 & 7, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm

In this endearing classic, the Cuthberts request an orphan boy to work on their farm but instead are mistakenly sent a high-spirited, fiery red-headed girl.  Outspoken and direct Anne experiences trials, tribulations and funny mishaps.  Soon the Cuthberts realize she is the best thing that has happened to them and Anne relizes that she is a loved, worthwhile person.                                         APPROPRIATE FOR 1st-6th grade

PUSS IN BOOTS  NOVEMBER 20, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm   

From the Bits N Pieces Puppet Theatre of Florida comes the delightful story of this clever boot-wearing cat.  Giant fanciful-costumed puppets perform in this version of Perrault's famous French fairy tale.  Giant 9' puppets, live actor Puss and large traditional puppets perfom the story of this magical cat who lerans that honesty is the best policy as he changes from a Paw-per to an Aristo-cat.                   APPROPRIATE FOR K-5th Grades 

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER DECEMBER 3, 4 & 5 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:45 pm

What do you get when you put together Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus plus a few million baby angels, shepherds, wisemen, and the notorious Herdman family?  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever of course!  Now in its 10th consecutive year, you wont want to miss the mayhem and the fun!  Fifty area actors of all ages make this an ACO holiday classic for the whole family offering a refreshing look at this season of joy.

APPROPRIATE FOR 2nd-9th grade

A MURDER ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 11, 9:30am     

An "announcement" is in the local paper, stating time and place of a murder to occur in Miss Blacklock's early Victorian house.  However the victim is not one of the temporary or permanent occupants, but an unexpected and unknown visitor.  What follows is of course a classic Christie puzzle full of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death, a determined police inspector and the omnipresence of Christie's best loved murder mystery meddlers, Miss marple!

APPROPRIATE FOR 7th-12th grade

THE BARBER OF CACTUS CANYON FEBRUARY 25, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm

The Wild West meets the world of Opera in this offering from the Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts.  Based on the music of Mozart's "Barber of Seville" and also familiar cowboy songs, the story takes place in a small town in the golden west where men were men, women were women, and horses were... well transportation.  Great fun, and a great first opera experience.  APPROPRIATE FOR K-5th grade.

HANSEL AND GRETEL MARCH 5 & 6, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm                                                      Originally called "The Little Brother and the Little Sister", this charming fairy tale is told in a straightforward style and follows the original version by the Brothers Grimm.  All is here - the bread crumbs, the gingerbread house, the witch, and the abandoned children - all woven into wonderfully simple, archetypal story of discovery and healing.                                                                    APPROPRIATE FOR 2nd -5th grade.

BIG BEAR'S ARKANSAS STORIES APRIL 3, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:45pm

From Charley Sandage and Harmony, one of the ozarks most recognized storytelling/musical ensembles comes this delightful and educational offering for young students.  Enhanced with Ozarks folk music, this entertaining group of four presents stories and songs about how Arkansas' land and people came to be as they are today 

ACO YOUTH CHOIRS IN CONCERT MAY 1, 9:30am               

The ACO Youth Choirs in concert will showcase the remarkable musical talents of area youth.  A terrific ensemble of students ages 8-13 will sing in two choirs and in small ensembles and solos for their peers.  This spring concert will feature a variety of musical works, both fun and serious, from a variety of composers.

APPROPRIATE for 2nd-7th grade

GRANNY'S VICTORY GARDEN: WORLD WAR II ON THE HOME FRONT

MAY 5, 2009 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m.

Probably one of the most influencial times in the history of the modern Ozarks is the period surrounding World War II.  Shortages, the draft, the war efforts that involved everyone, one way or another, changed the lives of American and Ozark families in significant ways.  Even young children on "the home front" were involved in making life better for their families and others.  They helped to grow food, took part in scrap drives, bought stamps for war bonds, and contributed in many small ways to support those most affected by the war.  Students will see history as not just dates and events, but a rich and ongoing collection of personal stories of real people of all ages in any period of time.

APPROPRIATE FOR 4th-6th grade

**Granny is also available in the Northwest Arkansas area for intimate on-site appearances in your classroom or cafetorium for grades 2nd-5th. Contact Granny at grannybreeze@yahoo.com for details.

SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN OCTOBER 26, 9:30 a.m.

Its 1938 and you are cordially invited to the Mount Pleasant Church first ever Saturday Night Sing.  The Reverend Oglethorpe is determined to light a fire under his flock by having the Sanders Family Singers join him with their inspired brand of singin and witnessin.  So pull up a pew and get ready for some foot stomping, hand clapping, and belly laughing as the Sanders Family shares their joyous blend of (more or less) devout story-telling and singing.  In Smoke on the Mountain, the music is surpassed only by the side-splitting hilarity of the characters.                                       

APPROPRIATE FOR 8th-12th grade only  Click Here For Study Guide

Please note:

• Reservations must be made in advance by calling Bonnie at the ACO office at (479) 751-5441
• Please notify the office when reserving seats if wheelchair access or  other special needs are required.
• All performance events will cost $1 per person, you must reserve for every child, parent or bus driver who is staying to see the show, payable at the door. Invoices can be sent if requested in advance. We must receive payment in entirety on the day of the performance. A check may be sent in advance, but we only invoice upon request. For groups under 10 people, payment must be sent in advance by check or credit card.
• Targeted grade levels are indicated, but schools may choose to send alternate grades.
• Group rates for public performances are also available for school groups. Ask the box office for information.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before performance time. This year shows are at 9:00, 10:45 & 12:45. Or if it is a single performance it will begin at 9:30 am. Most shows last 1 hour and then we have to empty  the theatre of the students. If you are here more than 15 minutes early this will cause a back up and congestion in the gallery of students trying to leave and arrive at the same time. Please be here no more than 15 minutes early. If you anticipate being late please call the ACO at 751-5441. We can not hold a show for late arrivals, but we can sit the late comers in the back of the theatre if we know that you are late.
• Cancellations must be received no later than three weeks prior to a performance, or the seats are considered payable. To keep our prices low, we MUST SELL EVERY SEAT. Last minute cancellations cost the ACO.
• Tickets may be purchased at the door the day of the performance if seats are available. We cannot guarantee seats.
• The ACO is completely handicapped accessible: and we have hearing devices available upon request. PLEASE MARK YOUR ORDER FORM IF SPECIAL NEEDS ARE REQUIRED. OUR WHEELCHAIR SEATS ARE LOCATED ON THE FRONT ROW ONLY. IF YOU DON'T TELL US YOU HAVE A WHEELCHAIR, THE STUDENT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SIT WITH THE REST OF THEIR CLASS.
• Please remind your students to promote courteous behavior that shows respect for the artists, the audience, and the facility. Remind the students NOT to touch the art work in the galleries. No food, drink, or gum allowed in the theatre.

For more information, call the ACO at (479) 751-5441 or email  the ACO

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