Our Mission: To foster a love of the arts and inspire creativity in young people in the River Valley through no-fee, high-quality theatre production opportunities and workshops led by professional theatre artists. WE ARE YAG … and so are YOU!
Executive Director: Missy Gipson
Bio: Missy has a BA in Theatre as well as a minor in music from Lyon College. After college she moved to New York, where she studied acting and voice.
Missy is a vocal coach and tours regionally as part of Chase Missy, an Americana band. They have opened for such acts as Lucy Kaplansky, Robert Earl Keen, The Beach Boys, Patty Loveless and other well-known performers. Missy is a director for Arts Live Theatre in Fayetteville. For YAG, Missy has directed many productions including the national award winning Grease, Footloose, Hairspray, Les Miserables, and Big. Missy directed Cinderella in 2014 and looks forward to directing Into The Woods this summer. Missy was awarded "Outstanding Direction in a Musical" in 2013 by the National Youth Arts awards for the YAG production of Les Miserables. She was named one of the "Top Ten Artistic People to Watch in 2015" by the NWA Times.
As Executive Director Missy has grown YAG to producing four shows (including a collaboration with the Fort Smith Public Library) and has created the Theatre Lab Education Series, which offers master classes with industry professionals. Missy completed the "See Change Non-Profit Certification Program" through the University of Arkansas. Missy is a proud member of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre Missy thanks the incredible YAG Board of Directors for their time and talents and dedication to the youth that we serve!
Acting credits:
New York: Off- Broadway - Frankenstein: The Rock Musical at LaMaMa. Toured with Allian Productions.
Other favorite theatre roles: A Streetcar Named Desire, The Beggar’s Opera, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, South Pacific and Bandstand U.S.A.
Arkansas: Donna in Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding at the Walton Arts Center.
Films: I'm OK (supporting), The Rocking Horse Winner (supporting).
Board of Directors:
Tim Peerbolte, President
Donna Young, Vice-President
Janet Harper, Treasurer
Debbie Andrews Kraus
Aaron Ray
Kim Pierson
Zena Featherston Marshall
DeAnn Collins
Susan Hickam
Darren Minor
Eric Wells
Carol Smith
Showtimes:
January 24 at 7:00 pm
January 25 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
January 26 at 2:00 pm
Ticket prices:
Adults, 18+: $20
Kids/Students, 17 and Under: $15
About the show:
This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.
Don't miss this one. A show that has won:
Winner! Eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Orchestrations
Winner! Four 2019 Drama Desk Awards
Winner! Six 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Winner! 2019 Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical
Winner! 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
Written by Anais Mitchell | Directed by Missy Gipson | Music Directed by Gini Law
Sunday, February 16th from 2:00-4:00
Open to ages 7-18 years of age
Directed by Kim Pierson
OZ: The REAL Story is told from the perspective of Toto and gives us insight as to what Toto was experiencing. Come be a part of this magical retelling of this classic story!
As an organization, we are focused on making the arts accessible to our community. We serve youth between the ages of 6-19 and have a zero participation fee policy so that anyone cast can be involved. We believe in the power of the arts to change a child’s life. If you agree, JOIN US! We are always looking for donors, volunteers, and ambassadors for the arts.
