Prior to becoming a writer for Broadway World, Theresa Bertram has had an extensive career in the media/entertainment business. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada to a professional poker-playing mother, Theresa’s formative years during the summer were spent being babysat by entertainers in the Vegas showrooms. “Having children sit in the poker rooms is frowned upon, so they would tuck me away in the various theatres to entertain me while my mother worked,”Theresa said. To this day, she still keeps in touch with the many musicians, magicians, and jugglers through Facebook. “Social media is a wonderful communication tool.” Theresa has played piano since the age of three and is a sought after regional pianist in Arkansas. “I’m more of an “ear” player, but I can play through sheet music when needed.” Theresa’s writing career began in high school when she was placed in journalism. “I didn’t even want to be in that class,” Theresa admitted. “I knew they put in a lot more hours than I really wanted to commit. I tried to get the counselor to change it, but she thought I would do really well. So, I stuck it out, became Sports Editor since I played volleyball in junior high and that was more sports than anyone else on the staff had (though my real love was feature profile writing), and ended up taking it to the next level in college. During college, Theresa studied mass communications and music at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway during the day and was a radio disc jockey at night. “My first radio job was at KVOM in my small town of Morrilton. I was only there for eight months, before I moved on up to Little Rock to work at B98.5--which later would be owned by Citidel. Ultimately, I moved over to Clear Channel stations and met a lot of country stars. Those were some fun years,” Bertram said. Theresa took a 10-year hiatus to start a family and finished up her educational journey with a Public Relations degree from Arkansas Tech University. “I was a better-focused student my second time around,” Theresa said. “I would be a professional student if I had the funds and time to do so.” With children old enough to allow Theresa to focus on professional pursuits once again, she began working as a producer/on-air talent in 2011 for AIRS Radio, which is a reading service for the blind and visually impaired offered by the Division Services for the Blind-a branch off of the Division of Human Services in Arkansas. She also started volunteering with local school associations and the historic Rialto Theatre. “I have always been attracted to this haunting building,” Theresa said referring to the Rialto. “It calls to you when you pass by it on the road. I love It.” Theresa does everything from producing music programs to making the popcorn. “It’s a great place to spend time and give my children a memorable place to grow up in. I will always love this theatre.” Theresa became a copy writer for the local newspaper, when the editor came early to one of the shows at the Rialto and offered her a job. “The best jobs are the ones that are given to you,” she said. “Also, I have a hard time saying ‘no’ to people if there is a way I can do what is requested.” A year later she was offered the editor position in the neighboring county. “You just never know what people are going to want from you. I keep thinking of that movie with Jim Carrey and how he had to say ‘yes’ to everything. If it isn’t illegal and time permits, I try to do it if I can.” Even though she has now taken over the Director position of AIRS Radio, she still finds time to attend as many shows as she can. “I have always been an entertainment cheerleader for as long as I can remember. If I think hard enough, I feel it probably started with those entertainers in Las Vegas. They performed for me, and I was happy to be the enthusiastic audience member night after night. It was a magical and unique childhood. I was very lucky.” Theresa is excited to be among the writing team of Broadway World. “I know when you think of Arkansas, ‘Broadway stars’ is not the first, or maybe even the last, thing that pops into your mind. I beg to differ though. Arkansas has an abundant amount of talent, and not only do we entertain for our own personal fancies, but we raise our children in this environment as well. We are a close-nit group of people, and I want to show how awesome Arkansas entertainers are to the rest of the world through Broadway World.”
Interview: Radio Royalty Sharpe Dunaway talks about ROCKSTARS and brushes with Greatness
August 16, 2023
August 16, 2023
Arkansas is saturated with an abundance of talent, whether it be on a theatrical stage, a concert hall, or on the radio. Quite often the talent overlaps from one avenue to the next. This can be said about Radio Royalty Sharpe Dunaway. Though he has switched from radio to videography (you know....video killed the radio star- Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley ca. 1979), Sharpe has a lot of history when it comes to Arkansas entertainment. Broadway World’s favorite MC Blake Woodson sat down with Sharpe to reminisce about all of the Rockstars he has met over the years, but first we wanted to know how he got into videography.
Feature: Music Festivals Return To Arkansas This September!
August 8, 2023
August 8, 2023
September is Festival Month, and Broadway World’s favorite MC Blake Woodson has compiled a list to let you know what’s going on. There is something for everyone, so get your tickets early, and we’ll see you there!
Review: FOREVER PLAID at The Pocket Community Theatre
August 6, 2023
August 6, 2023
What did our critic think of FOREVER PLAID at The Pocket Community Theatre?
Review: 24-HOUR PLAYS: LITTLE ROCK at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
What did our critic think of 24-HOUR PLAYS: LITTLE ROCK at Arkansas Repertory Theatre? When I heard that the 24-HOUR PLAYS were coming to the Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock and which actors were being asked to join, I was intrigued. One, I have never heard of this concept, and two, this sounded like a crazy idea.
Review: RENT at Argenta Community Theatre
August 2, 2023
August 2, 2023
Why, Argenta Community Theatre? Why?! You guys made me, and plenty of my fellow audience members, cry at RENT this past weekend. No wonder this musical is sold out. Honestly, I probably could watch this show 525,600 more times if it were possible.
Feature: ROCKLAHOMA 2023 Invades Pryor This Labor Day Weekend
August 1, 2023
August 1, 2023
Broadway World does love a good party, and sometimes we cross the state line to rock it out with our neighbors. In a month our favorite MC Blake Woodson, aka Arkansas Hangover Alan, will head to Pryor, Oklahoma, for Rocklahoma 2023, who have been celebrating the end of summer since 2007!
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS with The Lantern Theatre & Maumelle Players at Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle
July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023
Broadway World is thrilled when the theatrical community pulls together and helps each other out. The powers that be at The Community Arts Association of Conway (better known as The Lantern Theatre) and the Maumelle Players have teamed up to present STEEL MAGNOLIAS through July 30, at the Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle. Grab your besties and come hang out with the ladies at Truvy’s Beauty Shop in Chinquapin Parish.
Review: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at South Arkansas Arts Center
July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023
What did our critic think of NEWSIES at South Arkansas Arts Center?
Review: CABARET at The Studio Theatre
July 23, 2023
July 23, 2023
What did our critic think of CABARET at The Studio Theatre?
Review: CHILDREN OF EDEN at The Weekend Theater
July 22, 2023
July 22, 2023
What did our critic think of CHILDREN OF EDEN at The Weekend Theater?
Review: THE BIG VOICES PROJECT at The Studio Theatre
July 17, 2023
July 17, 2023
What did our critic think of THE BIG VOICES PROJECT at The Studio Theatre?
Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
July 14, 2023
July 14, 2023
It’s time to bring out those bell bottoms and platform shoes as Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Col Glenn Rd, in Little Rock, groovily presents JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, now through August 12. You do not have to be highly religious or know how to do The Hustle to enjoy this funky disco Biblical tale. However, if you are, Roger Eaves assured us that it was accurate to the original story.
Feature: 2COUNTRY4NASHVILLE at JJ's Grill Fort Smith
July 12, 2023
July 12, 2023
Two of my favorite things to do are listening to my talented friends play great music and eating delicious food in super cool restaurants. I mean....I have to treat myself sometimes, right? Of course, I do, and that is exactly what I did when 2Country4Nashville, made up of Jo-el and LeAnne Ulmer, played at JJ’s Grill Fort Smith last weekend. It was a perfect combination for a perfect Saturday night.
Review: WEST SIDE STORY at The Forum
July 6, 2023
July 6, 2023
What did our critic think of WEST SIDE STORY at The Forum? Northeast Arkansas has a bustling artistic community, and Broadway World was thrilled to get to know the talent that is being presented at The Forum, 115 E Monroe Ave, which is guided by the Foundation of the Arts in Jonesboro.
Review: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU at Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre
July 4, 2023
July 4, 2023
What did our critic think of YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU at Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre?
Review: THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Arts & Science Center For Southeast Arkansas
June 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
What did our critic think of THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Arts & Science Center For Southeast Arkansas? The front of the Playbill for THE LAST FIVE YEARS, presented in The Adam B. Robinson, Jr. Black Box Theater at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff, from June 22-25, says, “There are two sides to every love story.” True, and this two-person musical does a beautiful job telling the story of a writer and actress who just couldn’t make it work.
Review: LYSISTRATA at The Weekend Theater
June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023
What did our critic think of LYSISTRATA at The Weekend Theater?
Review: JIMMY BUFFETT'S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at The Studio Theatre
June 28, 2023
June 28, 2023
What did our critic think of JIMMY BUFFETT'S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at The Studio Theatre? Broadway World took a two-hour vacation with JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE Thursday, June 22, at the Studio Theatre, 320 W 7th St, in Little Rock. We were all partying to this jukebox musical, singing along to the hits, making new friends, and sipping on our tasty margaritas. The only thing missing was a nice juicy cheeseburger.
Feature: ARTBEAT ENTERTAINMENT'S LAST BAND STANDING at Central Cabaret & Nightclub
June 27, 2023
June 27, 2023
Artbeat Entertainment's Battle of the Bands Last Band Standing Big Finale at Central Cabaret & Nightclub in downtown Hot Springs crowned its newest champion. Read on to find out about the sizzling competition, the winner, and the amazing musical talent showcased throughout the night.
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