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: Corey Deitz of COREY & PATRICK IN THE MORNING At 100.3 The Edge Announces Retirement
October 2, 2023
October 2, 2023
When you think of radio in Arkansas, there are very few that would come to mind worthy enough to make the Mount Rushmore of Radio in Central Arkansas-- Bob Robbins, Tommy Smith, Craig O’Neill, Broadway Joe Booker and Corey Deitz would be the five making up that monument of honor.
Review: SWEENEY TODD: DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Actors Theatre of Little Rock
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD: DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock?
Review: ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA at Wildwood Park For The Arts
September 28, 2023
September 28, 2023
What did our critic think of ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA at Wildwood Park For The Arts? First introduced in an illustrated book by Roald Dahl and then brought to the stage and the big screen, Matilda is a special girl who loves reading and can move things with her mind! Now she’s brought to central Arkansas in a fun-filled, heartwarming musical at Wildwood Park for the Arts.
Review: INTO THE WOODS at Rialto Community Theatre
September 27, 2023
September 27, 2023
What did our critic think of INTO THE WOODS at Rialto Community Theatre?
Interview: Marilyn Klaus of BALLETS WITH A TWIST: COCKTAIL HOUR at PTC-CHARTS
September 23, 2023
September 23, 2023
Broadway World was thrilled to be able to chat with New York based company BALLET WITH A TWIST Artistic Director and Choreographer Marilyn Klaus about their show and visit to North Little Rock
Interview: Arkansas Concert Producer Dennis Stone Talks About Growing up In the Music Business
September 21, 2023
September 21, 2023
Sometimes when you travel, the trip is long and boring. There are crying babies, you sit next to someone who snores, and/or you’re lonely. This was not the case with Broadway World’s favorite MC and guest writer Blake Woodson during his recent trip to Denver. Blake had the privilege to sit next to Arkansas Concert Royalty Dennis Stone and decided to seize the moment by getting to know him better.
Interview: Wyatt Clem & Shawn Abhari of THE IVY
September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023
There is nothing that gets me more excited than discovering new music that makes me instantly fall in love. You know what I’m saying...those artists and songs that make your mind drift away to a fantasy world for a few minutes of escape...that’s what THE IVY does with their new single “Good Faith.”
Review: PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at The Royal Theatre
September 12, 2023
September 12, 2023
What did our critic think of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at The Royal Theatre?
Review: SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL at Murry's Dinner Playhouse
September 8, 2023
September 8, 2023
What did our critic think of SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL at Murry's Dinner Playhouse? I always love going to Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Col Glenn Rd, in Little Rock. The shows are wonderful, the actors are Broadway worthy, and the food is tasty. On the stage from now through Saturday, Sept. 9, SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL, written by Nathan Eppler and J. Dietz Osbourne, will make you laugh, touch your heart, and shed a possible tear or two.
Review: BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL at Argenta Community Theatre
September 7, 2023
September 7, 2023
What did our critic think of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL at Argenta Community Theatre? We’ve got spirit, yes we do....or is it spelled spirt? With Direction by Justin Pike and Music Direction by Leann Jones, these actors turned cheerleaders at The Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main Street, in North Little Rock, will get you rooting for...well...all of them at BRING IT ON, from now through Saturday, Sept. 9.
Review: SEUSSICAL JR with CSP Kids at Manila High School
September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023
What did our critic think of SEUSSICAL JR at Manila High School? Before their final bow, CSP Kids put on a wonderful production of SEUSSICAL JR., at Manila High School Friday-Sunday, August 11-13.
Review: CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION at The Weekend Theater
September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023
What did our critic think of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION at The Weekend Theater? I never know what to expect when I go to The Weekend Theater, 1001 W 7th St, in Little Rock. This troupe of performers like to push boundaries, put you in your feelings, and often times make things awkward. For this entertainment offering, Director Dakota Mansfield brought CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, which is an intentional thinker of a play. The whole audience was discussing it at intermission and once the show was over. You have two more weekends, September 1-3 and 8-10, to check it out.
Review: MEREDITH WILLSON'S THE MUSIC MAN at Red Curtain Theatre
August 26, 2023
August 26, 2023
What did our critic think of MEREDITH WILLSON'S THE MUSIC MAN at Red Curtain Theatre?
Review: BIRTHDAY FROM HELL at The Joint Theater
August 24, 2023
August 24, 2023
What did our critic think of BIRTHDAY FROM HELL at The Joint Theater?
Review: LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
What did our critic think of LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre? The classic novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a favorite amongst our household, so we were excited when we heard LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL was going to be at The Royal Theatre, 111 S Market St., in Benton, August 3-13, 2023. I am confident in reporting that there were tears shed, not only from me but from many audience members the night we attended the show. There was so much to this production, and I will get to that shortly.
Review: SKELETON CREW at PTC-CHARTS Black Box
August 21, 2023
August 21, 2023
What did our critic think of SKELETON CREW at PTC-CHARTS Black Box?
Feature: Arkansas Writer Visits Santa Fe Playhouse to See A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
August 19, 2023
August 19, 2023
This summer Broadway World went on the road to catch some amazing entertainment, and one of the stops was at the Santa Fe Playhouse.
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?
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