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.”
March 12, 2025
The Little Rock Winds captured cinematic magic with their program TINSELTOWN TUNES at the Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock Thursday, Feb. 27. Conducted by the very entertaining Israel Getzov and accompanied by voice extraordinaire Brent Walker, their music transcended the audience through a whirlwind of iconic film scores, sweeping them from the golden age of Hollywood epics to heart-pounding action blockbusters and beloved family classics.
March 11, 2025
I am so happy I didn’t miss the mind-blowing, face melting production that was the SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre, which had a few shows pushed off to the last week of February due to the crazy Arkansas weather. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, I took my seat, not entirely sure what to expect, but from the very first power chord, I knew I was in for something special. The energy was electric, the cast was on fire, and the live music—played by the incredibly talented young performers—was nothing short of jaw-dropping. I was impressed!
March 10, 2025
I’ve gotta crow about the enchanting production of Peter Pan at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock! Running through Sunday, March 9, this beloved classic, based on 1904 J.M. Barrie's tale brings Neverland to life in a way that captures the hearts of audiences, young and old alike.
March 10, 2025
Don Stephenson portrays the role of Doc Brown in Back to the Future: The Musical, playing at the Robinson Center from March 13 through March 16, 2025. Check here for the whole interview.
March 4, 2025
We had the best morning hanging out with Little Rock high schoolers watching PROUD! 2025 at Arkansas Repertory Theatre Thursday, Feb. 27. Not only did I see a prfound presentation on Black History in Arkansas, but I got to witness these young minds embracing this knowledge in an artistic way that was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Seeing their engagement—whether through thoughtful discussion, or simply the light of realization in their eyes—reminded me how vital it is to share these stories.
March 3, 2025
Arkansans who make the yearly pilgrimage to Pryor, Oklahoma—a small town just 45 minutes from Tulsa—have plenty to be excited about. The lineup for the 2025 Rocklahoma Music Festival was released Tuesday.
March 2, 2025
The Link Theatre will present an incredible ensemble cast filled with talent from NYC and NEA in the upcoming production of The 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
February 28, 2025
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL walked down the street to Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway on Sunday, March 23, bringing with it all the romance and glamour of the beloved film with Book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton. The touring production dazzled the audience with its dynamic performances and a score by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance that infused the classic love story with fresh, rock-infused energy.
February 26, 2025
Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner.
February 25, 2025
What did our critic think of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock?
February 24, 2025
Jury duty can be an emotional time in a person’s life, and the play 12 ANGRY JURORS, an adaptation of Reginald Rose's classic drama 12 Angry Men, was presented in the Verser Theater at Ouachita Baptist University from Feb. 13 to 16. Performed in the Black Box, the production, Directed by Senior Mac Ricks, immersed the audience in the raw tension of the jury room, where every gesture, argument, and revelation carried immense stakes. It was intense!
February 22, 2025
What did our critic think of ARKANSANITY at The Joint Comedy Theater?
February 20, 2025
Let me start off by saying that I gladly take personal ownership after hearing My Arkansas Symphony Orchestra blow the roof off of Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock Sunday, Feb. 9, with their UAMS First Orion Pops Series BROADWAY ROCKS!, spotlighting three amazing vocalists and the Arkansas Chamber Singers.
February 18, 2025
What did our critic think of GHOSTBUSTERS IN CONCERT at Reynolds Performance Hall?
February 14, 2025
If you are wanting to win Valentine’s weekend, take your sweetheart to The Red Curtain Theatre in Conway, where the cast of ALMOST, MAINE will charm you with this beautifully poetic collection of vignettes about love and loss, set against the magical backdrop of the Northern Lights.
February 12, 2025
Just in time for the Valentine season, Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock presents a heartwarming comedy that proves it’s never too late to fall in love. Social Security by Andrew Bergman runs through Saturday, March 8, offering the perfect date night opportunity.
February 11, 2025
What did our critic think of STEP AFRIKA! at Reynolds Performance Hall?
February 7, 2025
As a GenXer, I was not around to experience MoTown’s heyday, so whenever there is a performance of any kind that celebrates that era, I am there! Luckily, Celebrity Attractions is in tune to the desires of my heart and brings shows like AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS to Robinson Center in Little Rock. From January 31-February 2, Central Arkansas was on Cloud Nine as we were whisked away to a world of soulful melodies, powerful harmonies, and captivating choreography. It was all that I ever dreamed it would be.
February 6, 2025
Attention all you magical beings!! Get out your wizard wands and head to The Pocket Community Theatre in Hot Springs this weekend Friday-Sunday, Feb. 7-9, for the final performances of PUFFS.
February 2, 2025
What did our critic think of PRIMARY TRUST at TheatreSquared?
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