Art, Drama Faculty Partner for Performance at Crystal Bridges

Kristopher Stoker and Jason Suel

Jason Suel and John Kelley

Laura Shatkus

Kristopher Stoker

John Kelley

Photo Submitted

Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kristopher Stoker, instructor of drama, John C. Kelley, instructor of art, will present Gertrude Stein Plays Paris at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. This original show is a compilation of Gertrude Stein's writing assembled within the context of a multimedia theatrical piece and is presented as part of the Crystal Bridges Art Out Loud series.

“The audience will be taken into the world of Gertrude Stein's Parisian Salon by Alice B. Toklas, Stein's lifetime companion,” Stoker said. “‘Alice’ will transport us through her stories about Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne and the development of Modernism.” 

The audience will be invited to join the actors, director, playwright and designer for a brief question-and-answer following the show. 

As part of the evening’s entertainment, the two faculty members in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences have collaborated with actors from ArkansasStaged who will perform scenes from the highly unconventional Turkey Bones and Eating and We Liked It, an abstract play by Stein. Each scene from the play will be performed in a different theatrical style. 

Kelley designed the sound and video accompaniment, and Stoker will direct and perform in the show. The cast also includes Jason Suel, Sabrina Stoker, Laura Shatkus and Jason Engstrom. 

Tickets are free, but registration is required. Registration may be completed via the Crystal Bridges events website by selecting: Art Out Loud: Gertrude Stein Plays Paris (Museum). Additional information may also be found on the ArkansasStaged Facebook page.