Stepping Out at Bentonville Farmer's Market

We were at the Bentonville Farmer's Market this past Saturday (July 26) and had a fabulous turn out. I especially want to thank all the families who came out to play with us after reading about it in our newsletter. Christa and I were featured in the Benton County Daily Record this past Friday - and a bunch of folks had read about us there. IT WAS HOT! But the Puppet Play, Sand Play and Drama Workshops were a hit! Many people signed up to get our newsletter and a number of people expressed their willingness to volunteer. This event reminded me why we are starting this theater in Bentonville -

because we have the opportunity to serve a need for the growing number of Bentonville based families who want performing arts experiences for their children. The excitement around our tents was palpable. Downtown Bentonville Inc. has invited us back any time we want.

One story - there was a little boy who was very focused on the Sand play - carefully choosing characters with which to play out the story in his sandbox. His mother was amazed at the level of concentration that he demonstrated since he has Aspergers Syndrome. She is now very interested in participaing in our Project Play classes.

Another story - the drama workshop photo you see is being taught by Megan Mayo - a very talented young woman who is leaving in a few weeks to get her MFA in Theater for Youth from Florida State - a wonderful program. I taught earlier and there are very few photos of me because for most of the workshop I carried Rowan (my 1 1/2 yr old) on my back in a carrier. This is not new for me - since I've "worn" him and taught since he was 6 weeks old. At 9am I started with 1 girl and ended up enticing 6 more girls to join us - including my 3 1/2 yr old daughter - who has never taking a class from me (yet!). I always love when kids who want to watch first - decide to jump in and play - it feels very rewarding to have them trust me enough to try some new activities.

We're going to open registration for the classes Mid August - and I'm excited to see the registration numbers and start getting folks into volunteer.

Our Future Home 120 S. Main St. Bentonville

Christa and I are currently working with the leasing agent of this space. It's a 1600 sq ft. - long - rectangle - and 1/2 block south of the Square - just down from Java on the Square and right next door to the Convention and Business Bureau. It's an old store front with lots of possibilities.

Right now it is a blank slate that will work really well for our classes, Trike Nights and small performances. It's not perfect (the one bathroom is in the back) and we will only be able to fit around 50 people max into the space because of fire codes. BUT - it is perfect for what we want to do now and will help us be a major player in the Downtown Bentonville experience and growth conversation. In a few years - we will want to build/move into a larger space with a 250 seat theater/shops for building sets, props and costumes and more classroom spaces. I feel confident that with the help of our "Trikesters" - members of the Trike family - we WILL make it happen.
If you happen to be walking through downtown - take a look into the space and let us know what you think.
We'll make sure to have a fun party/open house as soon as we sign that lease!

Getting Started

Well, we're off! I'm so glad that you've joined us for this exciting ride! We're starting a professional Theater for Youth in Bentonville, AR. In this blog, I'll be chronically my journey, introducing the folks involved and the programs we're doing.

First, here's a little bit about what we're doing:

Tricycle Theater for Youth (The Trike) is the premier not-for-profit professional theater for youth located in the heart of Bentonville, AR. The Trike provides relevant, audience-driven professional Theater for Young Audiences to NWA and quality creative learning activities and a theater training conservatory through three equal programs:

Trike Playhouse: In the future, we will producing 5-6 shows a season in a permanent 200-250 theater. The Trike will employ theater professionals (actors, designers, and technical staff) and also casts young actors ages 10+. The plays will reflect the different age groups within 2-18 years and the various racial and ethnic groups within our NWA community. Production enhancement programs help audiences personalize and make relevant the theater experience: performance guide, youth and family workshops and an interactive lobby.

Trike Academy: The Trike’s youth education program serves students ages 1-18. Programs include: Summer & Spring Break Drama Academies, Year-round Project Play, creative drama & theater conservatory classes, Summer youth productions, High School Young Company and Internships.

Three Phases of Trike Academy:
1. Project Play – (1-3 ½ yr)Parent & Child playgroups, classes, music, & art Bringing “play” back into the family.
2. Dramatic Play- (3 ½ - 2nd grade) Story Drama, Treasure Trunk, Movement, Art & Music Strengthening foundation for structured imaginative play.
3. Conservatory – (3rd-12th grade) Acting, Scene Study, Improv, Design, Directing, Audition, Movement, etc. Training program for new and experienced theater artists and art patrons.

Trike Shop: The publishing/consulting wheel of the company, The Trike Shop offers a way for people to make The Trike process work in their own lives through: Teacher professional development, Teaching Artist training, Performance Guide materials, show related merchandise and “play-in-a-box” kits.

We are in the process of incorporating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and are seeking interested working board members. Our company is led by me, Kassie Misiewicz, Executive Artistic Director, and Christa Davis, Managing Director.

For more information - please contact me at:

kassie@triketheater.com