About The Studio Theatre
We want to be clear: This decision was not sparked by a single moment. It is the result of ongoing reflection that began long before recent events. When our Board
President accepted her dream opportunity earlier this year, we began considering what would be required to move forward without her leadership. We weighed options. We brainstormed models. We sought clarity. And when the time came to be honest with ourselves, we knew that stepping away, for now, was the most responsible and respectful choice for our community and for the people who make this work possible.
While this is the final curtain for now, it may not be the end of the story. If and when the time is right, we are open to what may come next, we’ll be here, ready. Until then, we say thank you. And we leave with hearts full, not just with grief, but with pride and gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared.
Our Mission
The Studio Theatre exists to enrich the Central Arkansas community by providing quality theatre experiences that utilize local talent to challenge and grow every person who sits in our audience.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At The Studio Theatre, we believe that when people feel respected and included they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we’re investing to move our organization and arts community forward.
About The Studio Theatre
The Studio was the brainchild of a number of like-minded Little Rock theatre artists and community members who wanted to bring a new brand of community theatre to central Arkansas. While working together on a show in 2013, they saw the community’s need for an all-purpose space to be dedicated to the enrichment of Little Rock across a broad range of artistic endeavors. Through the love, kindness, and generosity of the community, The Studio Theatre was born.
After extensive renovations to a building at 320 W. 7th Street, TST opened with You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown in May of 2014. The facility also housed the Community Theatre of Little Rock until 2017 when they moved to North Little Rock. Becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2016, The Studio now plays host to the community-wide Dark Night Awards, Arkansas Jazz Society, Arkansas Community Theatre Association’s annual meeting, and our own drag pageant, MX Studio Theatre.
Since 2014, The Studio Theatre has carved out its niche in the already theatre-rich Little Rock arts community with our dedication to producing new works and works not yet seen by our community. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Justin A. Pike and former Executive Directors Bob Bidewell and Mark A. Burbank, The Studio has grown from producing four small shows to producing nine full-length productions in a season.
As well as developing a two-week summer theatre education intensive, The Studio has also had the opportunity to play host to a number of Arkansas premieres including Fun Home, Rock of Ages, Blackbird, A Christmas Story – The Musical, Dogfight, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Buyer & Cellar, and Hand To God. In April 2019, TST became the first community theatre in the country to produce the prominent musical War Paint since closing on Broadway in 2017.
The building itself was erected in 1920 and has been multiple ventures in its 100-year history, most notably the site of Balfour Printing Co., an iconic local printing business from the 1950s to the early 2000s. It was also used by the Occupy Little Rock movement in 2012. The building has also served as a furniture store and an artists’ colony for several years.
In August 2019, our auditorium was dedicated and named for founder Bob Bidewell for his contribution to our company and his artistic impact across many artistic outlets here in Little Rock, AR.
Support What We Do
The Studio Theatre exists to enrich the central Arkansas community by providing quality theatre experiences that utilize local talent to challenge and grow every person who sits in our audience.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so your support is 100% tax deductible. From monetary donations and production sponsorship to volunteering and in-kind support, there are many opportunities for you to help us bring live, local theatre to Little Rock.
