Auditions
May 18-19, 2025
The Medium, 214 S Main, Springdale, AR
For audition information and materials, click on the buttons below.
The Wizard of Oz
July 17–20 & 24–27, 2025
Pat Ellison Performing Arts Center, Springdale
Auditions May 18 & 19, 2025 at The Medium, Springdale Audition details linked above!
We’re off to see the Wizard! Arts One Presents is proud to announce our summer 2025 production of The Wizard of Oz, directed by the incomparable Van Stewman. A lifelong fan of the beloved film, Van brings a rich background in theatre, with decades of experience as a performer, director, and educator. He currently teaches theatre at Lakeside Junior High in Springdale—and once stepped into the iconic role of the Cowardly Lion himself!
We’re equally excited to introduce the talented team bringing Oz to life onstage:
Director: Van Stewman
Music Director: Cheri Headrick
Assistant Directors: Madison Tatum & Greta Davidson
Choreographer: Alix Barrett
Assistant Choreographer: Jenna Headrick
Technical Director & Sound Designer: Seth Biazo
Scenic Designer: Tristan Stringer
Lighting Designer: Tom Littrell
Costume Designer: Caity Church
Hand Prop Designer: Heidi Nash
Mark your calendars and follow along for more updates, including audition announcements and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks!
Director Van Stewman
Van Stewman is proud to be directing his first show for Arts One Presents. He was born and raised in Mena, Arkansas, where each year he eagerly awaited the annual television broadcast of his favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz, mesmerized as Dorothy stepped into the Technicolor of Munchkinland, and terrified (and still is) as Aunt Em’s image in the crystal ball morphed into the Wicked Witch of the West. He is the theater teacher at Lakeside Jr. High in Springdale, where he’s directed a dozen plays over the last 8 years. As an actor, over the last 40 years he has appeared locally in shows at The University of Arkansas, Arts Center of the Ozarks, and Rogers Little Theater (including as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz). He’s done national commercials for Folger’s Coffee, Geico Insurance, Hardee’s, Got Milk?, Sport Clips, and others. Locally, he was Bubba Fontaine for a decade for Steve Smith Country in Springdale. On television, he co-starred in Sliders and Family Matters. Films include War Eagle, Arkansas, Running the Bases, and the soon-to-be released Violent Ends. In a previous lifetime, he taught math and coached basketball, football, cross country, track, and baseball at Bentonville High School, Walton and Lincoln Jr. High Schools, and at Central Jr. High in Springdale. He lives in Springdale with his wife, Dr. Regina Stewman, principal of Sonora Elementary, and is proud to be the father of Peyton and Cassidy.
Cheri Headrick began her journey into music through piano lessons as a child. She kept her passion for musical excellence through high school and into college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Moody Bible Institute. She was involved in both music education and vocal performance in various ways for several years before shifting gears to earn a Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Arkansas, where she would later return to also earn a Postgraduate Certificate in Vocal Performance. She holds three first place certificates from NATS, and has been teaching Voice through her private studio for over 10 years. Cheri has five years of experience conducting collegiate choirs, has performed as a chorus member and soloist for the University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum, and appeared in concerts with the SoNA Singers for several years. Her performance roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus and The Queen in Die Zauberflöte. Cheri has a passion for gathering and working with vocalists and instrumentalists from all backgrounds and skill levels to come together and create breathtaking spectacles that entertain and inspire. From the conductor’s podium, Cheri has previously collaborated with Arts One Presents as the Choral director for The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 2022 and the music director and conductor for Sweeney Todd in 2023. She also currently serves as a contemporary Worship Pastor at The Vineyard Church of the Nazarene in Springdale, and has previously served in music and leadership roles with other denominations. She has three children and lives in Siloam Springs with her husband, Robert.
