Ovations Plus – Trike Theatre + Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra

Bringing Together The Best of Trike Theatre & Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra

Ovations Plus officially launched on September 20, 2023, bringing an enhanced fine arts experience to the NWA community.

Everybody Belongs

Art appreciation is best started early in life and continued throughout. Performing arts expose audiences to others’ experiences. It encourages inclusion and helps both young and old grow their own potential. Everyone belongs!

Stronger Together

We know the importance of building a strong community with the people we serve and that the performing arts should be available to all people. Ovations Plus will increase opportunities for community participation on all levels.

Courageous Creativity

Creativity is at the core of all we do. We encourage our community to practice courageous creativity with compassion, perspective, and integrity.

Ovations was created with the mission to advance a more inclusive, vibrant, and prominent NWA/Delta region by unifying small, performing arts organizations into a single, well-resourced arts champion better equipped to deliver culture-changing initiatives.

Tricycle Theatre for Youth (Trike) was established in 2007.

More than 30,000 children and their families annually across Northwest Arkansas and beyond have been a part of productions, year-round theatre instruction, teacher professional development, and programs in schools.
The mission of Trike Theatre programming is to help young people find their/they’re ‘great’ through exceptional theatre experiences.
Trike was founded by Kassie Misiewicz, who continues to be a creative force with Ovations, bringing the 360 Theatre Experience to life across NWA and beyond.

Claiming its name in 2010, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) has been around since 2008 under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess.

The APO performs large masterworks and pops concerts with a contemporary twist.
We collaborate with regional and global organizations to present art in unexpected ways—often to unexpecting audiences.
APO features largely local, professional musicians, world-class guest soloists, and—a point of pride—musical education opportunities for local youth.

Ovations will continue to offer high-quality programs that our communities have come to appreciate since 2008 with Trike and APO.

Ovations believes an art-filled community creates a thriving cultural landscape where communities flourish and all individuals are welcomed.
We plan to grow our administrative capabilities to enhance the impact and reach of our programs, to support individual artists and deliver exceptional performances, and to help other emerging performing arts organizations.

Our team is made up of the same people you know who so passionately served with Trike Theatre and APO. We know the importance of maintaining that drive as we transition to becoming Ovations.

Staff

Fran Sillau

Artistic Director

Steven Byess

Artistic Director & Conductor

Jessica Sudduth

Senior Education Manager

Er-Gene Kahng

APYO Manager & Lead Conductor

Laura Happel

Assistant Technical Director / Master Electrician

Shannon R. Miller

Production Consultant

Jason Miller

Executive Director

Board

Sam Roberts

Board President

Natalie Julich

Board Vice-President

Steven Brooks

Board Member

DeLisa Cooper

Board Member

Brad Fortenberry

Board Member

Diana Gartside

Board Member

Wayne Hamilton

Board Member

Jaclyn House

Board Member

Lucia Llobet

Board Member

Michael Maloy

Board Member

Sarah Morton

Treasurer

Michael Parks

Board Member

Juan Segura

Board Member

Kara Gainer

Secretary

Jeff Clapper

Board Member

Kenneth Pearson

Board Member

Get Involved

We have so many ways for children and youth to get involved with Ovations in both theatre and orchestra!

now enrolling

Our Shows

Upcoming Shows

Check out our upcoming shows! If you missed one you were hoping to see, we have recordings of previous shows available, too.

Our Shows

Trike On Tour

We would love to bring theatre to you! Click to learn more about our Trike On Tour opportunity.

On Tour

APO Concerts

Check out our upcoming concerts! Learn more about dates and how to secure your spot.

Concerts

FAQs

Answers to some of the most common questions we have gotten as this merger has begun. If you have other questions, please contact our team!

The merger of APO and Trike brings together two exceptional teams in the performing arts, which amplifies our impact while maximizing the value of our community’s support. By integrating the expertise of both organizations, we are poised to create an even greater positive impact than before. This union leverages the unique strengths of each brand to fortify our collective efforts, resulting in a stronger, more efficient, and highly effective entity.

The name of the new organization will be Ovations Plus (Ovations+), however, APO and Trike logos and names will be linked to the music and theatre programs respectively. Rest assured, the exceptional APO and Trike programs you cherish will not only persist after the merger but will get even better.

APO and Trike programs will remain intact. The transformations underway are primarily behind the scenes – streamlined processes and strengthened coordination – all designed to amplify the effectiveness of our initiatives and empower our dedicated team members to make an even bigger impact in NWA.

We’re so glad you asked! Stay informed on all upcoming classes, shows, concerts, and surprises by subscribing to the Ovations+ Newsletter.

Donate

BECOME A FRIEND OF OVATIONS

Your involvement with Ovations provides incredible experiences for all involved in theatre and the orchestra. Donations, no matter the size, will always make an impact.

Donate now

Bringing Together The Best of Trike Theatre & Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra

Core Values

Everybody Belongs

Stronger Together

Courageous Creativity

Mission Statement

Our History

Tricycle Theatre for Youth (Trike) was established in 2007.

Claiming its name in 2010, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) has been around since 2008 under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess.

Ovations will continue to offer high-quality programs that our communities have come to appreciate since 2008 with Trike and APO.

Who We Are

Staff

Fran Sillau

Steven Byess

Jessica Sudduth

Er-Gene Kahng

Laura Happel

Shannon R. Miller

Jason Miller

Board

Sam Roberts

Natalie Julich

Steven Brooks

DeLisa Cooper

Brad Fortenberry

Diana Gartside

Wayne Hamilton

Jaclyn House

Lucia Llobet

Michael Maloy

Sarah Morton

Michael Parks

Juan Segura

Kara Gainer

Jeff Clapper

Kenneth Pearson

Get Involved

Our Shows

Upcoming Shows

Trike On Tour

APO Concerts

FAQs

Why is the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) merging with Trike Theatre?

Will the APO and Trike Theatre have a different name?

Will there be changes to the programs offered by the APO and Trike Theatre?

How can I learn about future programs and events for the newly merged organization?

Sponsors

Donate

BECOME A FRIEND OF OVATIONS

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