About Us
About The Studio Theatre
The Studio Theatre believes the heartbeat of artistic expression is providing transformative experiences that challenge your emotions, intellect, and worldview. Since its inception in 2014, The Studio has brought theatrical innovation to central Arkansas audiences. Whether it is re-imagining the setting and scenery of classic shows, or bringing new and diverse works straight from Broadway to our local 7th Street theater, The Studio guarantees local artists and audiences a chance to participate in something truly unique. This occurs in our unique multi-use downtown space that is filled with laughter, music, and creative energy, where all Arkansans can walk in and feel embraced and welcome.
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 in our community.
The Studio Theatre primarily runs as a community theatre with numerous volunteers assisting with box office, costumes, sets, props, and more. Here are a few key individuals who help run our theatre company!
Our Staff
Justin A. Pike
Artistic Director
Justin A. Pike, Artistic Director
JP is proud to call The Studio Theatre home. He currently serves as director (and co-creator) of the YP Second Stage (YP2S) program at Royal Theatre, a pre-professional youth theatre program for high school and college-age artists. He is also President of the Arkansas Community Theatre Association, Arkansas Liaison to the Southwest Theatre Conference, and has been the Artistic Director of The Studio since January 2015.
He has directed a number of shows for The Studio, including Matilda, Spring Awakening, Dreamgirls, Urinetown, Xanadu, Buyer & Cellar, Elf – The Musical, Blackbird, Rock of Ages, Junie B. Jones, and Fun Home. Believe it or not, when not directing he still treads the boards from time to time. Favorite credits include The Music Man (Harold Hill), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Godspell (Jesus), Assassins (Byck), South Pacific (Billis), and Gypsy (Tulsa).
Originally from Conway, Justin is also an award-winning scenic and lighting designer and has worked extensively as a choreographer, designer, and director in both Arkansas and Tennessee. In 2020, Justin was one of three theatre directors statewide to be chosen for the Arkansas Arts Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship for his achievements in directing and dedication to cultivating the arts in our community. Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Central Arkansas. AEA. @jallenpike @jallenpikedesigns
Our Board
Board President
Board Vice President
Board Secretary
Board Treasurer
Parliamentarian
Additional Staff
Stage Manager
Facilities Manager
Digital Media Manager
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.
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.