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Theresa Bertram - Page 3

Theresa Bertram

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.”






Review: PSYCHO BEACH PARTY at The Weekend Theater
Review: PSYCHO BEACH PARTY at The Weekend Theater
September 13, 2024

What did our critic think of PSYCHO BEACH PARTY at The Weekend Theater?

Interview: HANNAH SCHMIDT of PETER PAN at Robinson Center
Interview: HANNAH SCHMIDT of PETER PAN at Robinson Center
September 12, 2024

To open the new season with Celebrity Attractions in Little Rock, they are bringing PETER PAN to the Robinson Center stage, and Broadway World is excited! To be honest, I haven’t seen this show since Cathy Rigby, so I am beyond thrilled to see what this company has created.

Interview: SOFIE AND THE NEW RELICS at Mountains, Music & Motorcycles Rally
Interview: SOFIE AND THE NEW RELICS at Mountains, Music & Motorcycles Rally
September 12, 2024

Mountain View is one of my favorite little towns in Arkansas. It is steeped in history and beauty but notable for the music performed regularly there. Many have made the pilgrimage to play around the square, and during the most recent Mountains, Music & Motorcycles Rally, SOFIE AND THE NEW RELICS added to the growing bands that fill the air with melodious sounds that resonate with the majestic mountains and add to the lore of the region. 

Review: A RAISIN IN THE SUN at TheatreSquared
Review: A RAISIN IN THE SUN at TheatreSquared
September 11, 2024

To open Season 19 at TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring St, in Fayetteville, this amazing gem has brought another classic to the masses. For our viewing pleasure, A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorraine Hansberry, the first African-American woman to be produced on Broadway, is running now through  Sunday, Sept. 15, and you don’t want to miss it. Director Dexter J Singleton and his creative team deserve high praise for his visionary and sensitive handling of this groundbreaking play. It is relevant, it is moving, it is funny, and it will tug at your heartstrings as you hope that everything works out for the Younger family.  

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
September 8, 2024

What did our critic think of STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Murry's Dinner Playhouse?

Review: CHICAGO & EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE TAKE NORTH LITTLE ROCK THROUGH DECADES OF HITS at Simmons Bank Arena
Review: CHICAGO & EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE TAKE NORTH LITTLE ROCK THROUGH DECADES OF HITS at Simmons Bank Arena
August 29, 2024

Their blend of rock, jazz, and brass elements has created some of the most memorable and innovative music in the industry, and the emotions that they elicited from their fans (including myself) were electrifying. This is a very fleeting moment that I will never forget.

Review: INSPECTOR SNOW AND TOTO, TOO at The Lantern Theatre
Review: INSPECTOR SNOW AND TOTO, TOO at The Lantern Theatre
August 26, 2024

What did our critic think of INSPECTOR SNOW AND TOTO, TOO at The Lantern Theatre?

Review: HAMILTON THE MUSICAL at Walton Arts Center
Review: HAMILTON THE MUSICAL at Walton Arts Center
August 23, 2024

Truthfully, it is big shoes to fill when the expectation on a show is so high due to how accessible the Broadway show was to us, but the new Angelica cast blew us all away.  We soaked in every emotion they were giving us, and there were many tears all around me during the sad moments. 

Review: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
Review: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
August 22, 2024

Magical! The Royal Theatre, 111 S Market St, in Benton, brought pure, heart wrenching magic with their production of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based on the Victor Hugo novel and Book by Peter Parnell, with songs from the Disney film written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Because I have not read the story or watched the movie, I really didn’t know what I was about to experience, and I’m thrilled about that, because wow! This one blew me away! Of course, I knew it would when I saw that the creative team was led by Co-Directors Bob Bidewell and Dariane LyJoi Mull and Music Director Angela Coller. The whole performance was spectacular, but the music....the music....was Broadway worthy.

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL JR at Studio 42 & Co
Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL JR at Studio 42 & Co
August 20, 2024

Based in Manila, which is just about as far northeast as you can go before driving into Missouri, Studio 42 & Co can be found fostering transformative experiences that nurture personal growth, creative expression, and collaborative skills in their young performers. This is true for their most recent production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, JR, which was presented in the Manila High School Auditorium August 1-4, and Directed by Executive Director Kennedy Joslynn Baker. Everyone from the young to young at heart was entertained by the humor, catchy songs, and relatable characters that graced the stage. We all had a great time.  

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Red Curtain Theatre
Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Red Curtain Theatre
August 19, 2024

The dedicated and passionate members stands as a testament to the remarkable creativity and spirit that define our local theater scene. This group is amazing! 

Review: ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION at The Joint Comedy Theater
Review: ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION at The Joint Comedy Theater
August 19, 2024

My favorite comedians are at it again, except this time they have a political theme in honor of the upcoming elections. The Main Thing Comedy Trio at The Joint Comedy Theater, 301 Main St #102, in North Little Rock, bring to you ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION, and you have one more weekend, Aug. 23 & 24, to catch it. In fact, this one is so popular, it is selling out, and I’m as serious as a little baby owl. 

Review: JITNEY at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Review: JITNEY at Arkansas Repertory Theatre
August 16, 2024

What did our critic think of JITNEY at Arkansas Repertory Theatre?

Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Fort Smith Little Theatre
Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Fort Smith Little Theatre
August 14, 2024

Talent abounds in Fort Smith Little Theatre’s HELLO, DOLLY, which ran from July 18-Aug. 3, and if you missed it, you missed something truly special. In just a small area of space, they squeezed in the different scenes, the beautiful, flowy dresses, and the enchanting numbers that had us smiling from beginning to end. By the finale, you were hoping that Dolly would find your perfect match. 

MOONDANCE FELLOWSHIP at Writers' Colony At Dairy Hollow
MOONDANCE FELLOWSHIP at Writers' Colony At Dairy Hollow
August 14, 2024

Located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) offers the 2024 Moondancer Fellowship for authors who express their passion for the natural world and concern for the environment through their writing. This fellowship is open to poets, fiction writers, playwrights, screenwriters, essayists, memoirists, and columnists. Prior publication is not a requirement.

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Robinson Center
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Robinson Center
August 11, 2024

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Robinson Center?

Review: DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH'S MARY POPPINS at The Pocket Community Theatre
Review: DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH'S MARY POPPINS at The Pocket Community Theatre
August 8, 2024

What did our critic think of DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH'S MARY POPPINS at The Pocket Community Theatre?

ARKANSAN Audra McAnally IS IN THE RUNNING FOR 'MISS ROCKLAHOMA'
ARKANSAN Audra McAnally IS IN THE RUNNING FOR 'MISS ROCKLAHOMA'
August 8, 2024

Benton business owner Audra McAnally has made it into the top 10 at this year's Rocklahoma, one of the biggest Labor Day weekend events in the country. In just three weeks, Pryor, Oklahoma will welcome more than 100,000 Rock & Roll enthusiasts to its small town for the 17th annual Rock & Roll Music Festival, and McAnally, the first Arkansan to make the top 10, is vying to be “the perfect woman that embodies Rock & Roll” to represent the festival all Labor Day Weekend.

Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at Ouachita Little Theatre
Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at Ouachita Little Theatre
August 8, 2024

What did our critic think of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at Ouachita Little Theatre?

Review: FINAL BOW at Grant County Community Theater
Review: FINAL BOW at Grant County Community Theater
August 6, 2024

What did our critic think of FINAL BOW at Grant County Community Theater?



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