2026 Season

Production photography by Brandon Markin. In Misery, few objects carry more dread than the sledgehammer. Onstage, though, that famous threat has to do something paradoxical: it must look heavy, dangerous, and completely real while remaining safe enough to perform with night after night. That problem — and dozens of others audiences may never consciously notice — falls to artists like Props Specialist Rick Nicholas and Costume Designer Shelly Hall, whose work helps make ACT’s

Production photography by Brandon Markin. In Misery, violence is rarely just about the moment of impact. It lives in anticipation, imbalance, and the shifting control between Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon. For ACT’s production, Fight Choreographer Brett Ihler brings decades of experience as both a performer and choreographer to the work. His approach starts with a simple principle: staged violence is not about overpowering another actor. It is about partnership. “Staged viole

BroadwayWorld’s Theresa Bertram attended the first preview of ACT’s Misery and came away calling it “a deliciously intense night of theatre” — and, for fans of psychological thrillers, “the show to see.” Her review praises the performances, the physical tension of the production, and the technical work that makes the world of Misery feel so immediate. “This woman is a powerhouse!” Bertram singles out Mary Twedt’s performance as Annie Wilkes, calling her “terrifying, unpredict

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2026 Media Contact: Coburn Goss, Artistic Director Argenta Contemporary Theatre cgoss@argentatheatre.org 501-353-1443 Previews begin tonight for Stephen King’s psychological thriller, followed by VIP Opening Night Friday, October 16. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After weeks of rehearsal, design, and technical work, Misery steps into the spotlight tonight at Argenta Contemporary Theatre. Previews begin October 14–15, followed by a VIP Opening Ni

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2026 Media Contact: Coburn Goss, Artistic Director Argenta Contemporary Theatre cgoss@argentatheatre.org 501-353-1443 Mary Twedt, Coburn Goss and Jason Scott Morgan lead the cast of Stephen King’s psychological thriller, directed by Brandon Paul Eells NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Argenta Contemporary Theatre will present MISERY, William Goldman’s stage adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel, October 14–November 1, 2026, at ACT in North

Our first review of Hands on a Hardbody is in, and Caleb Patton of Central Arkansas Community Theatre found a lot to celebrate—from the cast and creative team to the full-size truck at the center of the action. But what resonated most with us was his recognition of something we’ve been working toward throughout this season: “There’s a real throughline this season of shows that hold up an honest mirror to the communities we actually live in here in Arkansas and across the Sout

Before ten contestants can put their hands on a truck and compete for the chance to drive it home, ACT has to get that truck onto the stage. Ours arrived from New York in four massive wooden shipping crates—each weighing roughly 500 pounds. Inside was the centerpiece of Hands on a Hardbody: the shell of a real Nissan Hardbody, specially adapted so actors can climb, dance, and move on it throughout the production. The video captures ACT Technical Director & Venue Manager Jon H

The Jacksonville native and New York-based artist returns home to direct Hands on a Hardbody at ACT. There is something special about welcoming an Arkansas artist home—especially when their career has carried them from Central Arkansas to stages across the country and around the world. Argenta Contemporary Theatre is proud to welcome DeLance Minefee as the guest director of Hands on a Hardbody, running August 26–September 6. Originally from Jacksonville, Arkansas, and now bas

August 4, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Coburn Goss, Artistic Director cgoss@argentatheatre.org 501-353-1443 Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 5, for the heartfelt musical about ten Texans, one truck and the chance to change their lives NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Before online giveaways and viral challenges, there were radio contests, pickup trucks and the promise of a prize that could change your life. Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) is bringing that distinc

We’re delighted to share a new review of The Cake from Theresa Bertram at BroadwayWorld. Bertram calls the production “a delicious blend of humor and thought-provoking conversation” and “the perfect date night,” describing it as “an evening that will have you laughing, thinking, and talking long after you leave the theatre.” She also praises the decision to stage the play in ACT II, writing that “having this particular play in their smaller area was a genius idea.” Scenic des

There is something especially meaningful about seeing a production reflected back through the eyes of an audience member. Our first review of The Cake is in, and we are deeply grateful for the care, thoughtfulness, and generosity Caleb Patton brought to his response. He writes: “We are incredibly fortunate to have a space like Argenta that is willing to take risks on contemporary scripts that speak directly to the complexities of the Southern experience. It is through these

The Cake is a comedy with heart, but underneath the laughter is a story asking deeply human questions about love, faith, family, and what it means to take a step toward someone else. For director Heather Dupree, who makes her ACT directorial debut with this production, the draw was immediate. “The story,” she says. “It’s beautifully written and very relevant to today. Both funny and poignant just like life.” Written by This Is Us writer Bekah Brunstetter, The Cake centers on

What makes The Cake so funny, so timely, and so deeply human? In this short interview, Artistic Director Coburn Goss shares what first drew him to the play, why audiences are often surprised by it, and why he believes this story belongs on the ACT stage. Click here to read the transcript Come for "The Cake". Stay for the Comedy. Join us for unforgettable performances, meaningful conversations, and a vibrant community gathered around live theatre. Please note: The Cake include

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2026 Media Contact: Coburn Goss, Artistic Director cgoss@argentatheatre.org 501-353-1443 NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) continues its 2026 Season of Community with The Cake, a funny, heartfelt comedy by acclaimed playwright and television writer Bekah Brunstetter. Best known for her work on the hit television series This Is Us, as well as Maid, American Gods, and Switched at Birth, Brunstetter has built a national r

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2026 Media Contact: Coburn Goss, Artistic Director cgoss@argentatheatre.org 501-353-1443 ARKANSAS FAVORITE NATALIE CANERDAY MAKES ARGENTA CONTEMPORARY THEATRE DEBUT IN THE CAKE NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of The Cake by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (TV’s This is Us). Leading the cast in her ACT debut is Arkansas favorite Natalie Canerda

Argenta Contemporary Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory continues to build momentum with a new review from Koty Mansfield, who calls the production “a golden ticket to great theatre.” Mansfield’s review captures what audiences have been experiencing all week: a production that leans fully into imagination, performance, and the shared joy of live theatre. Mansfield calls Gus Howell's performance as a "revelation." "His ability to conjure raw emotion is beyond his year

Called “pure theatrical fun” by BroadwayWorld critic Theresa Bertram, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is delighting audiences at Argenta Contemporary Theatre. The production features a cast Bertram describes as “absolutely stacked with A-list local talent,” led by Case Dillard’s “mesmerizing” Willy Wonka—filled with a “playful unpredictability” that brings both magic and humanity to the role. At its heart, she highlights the connection between Wonka and Charlie as “a beauti

Photography by Royce West. Case Dillard doesn’t approach Willy Wonka as a fixed character—he treats him as something constantly shifting. In Argenta Contemporary Theatre’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, that unpredictability becomes the engine of the performance. For Dillard, the role isn’t defined by familiarity, but by contradiction. “The musical theatre canon has few roles that are as diverse and nuanced as Willy Wonka,” he says. “You never know what you’

Coburn Goss, Artistic Director Imagination. We all remember it from childhood. But somewhere, along the way, it can get lost, replaced by the daily grind, phones and social media. When programming the 2026 Season, I knew I wanted to give the audience a chance to use their imagination. Last year, I was fortunate enough to see the River City Men’s Chorus perform “Pure Imagination” and was reminded how transfixing it is. No other song heralds the imagination more (with the possi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rebecca Tennille rebecca@jpjconsult.com 501-786-0525 Argenta Contemporary Theatre Assembles Leading Arkansas Artists for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" Staff and Creative Team Represent Decades of Theatrical Excellence in Central Arkansas NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 9, 2026) - Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) has assembled a remarkable group of Arkansas artists for its upcoming production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” uniting perfor