9/21/2020
Discovering The Smith Center / Retrospective Series
You have probably made special memories at The Smith Center over its first eight years. This would never have happened without a group of community leaders who met over 20 years ago. This small band of visionaries convened at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas to discuss founding a world-class performing arts center in their community.
9/16/2020
Inside the Theater
Most theater and dance performances feature live musicians tucked in a sub-stage orchestra pit, blasting and crooning melodies that enhance the show without audiences often realizing it. But this wasn’t always so. As part of The Smith Center’s ongoing blog series exploring the history of theater magic, discover how the orchestra pit originated.
9/14/2020
Education and Outreach
After initial weeks of conquering technology and building student relationships through screens, teachers have a strong grasp of what helps students thrive during at-home learning… And what does not. The Smith Center polled award-winning educators for insights to help us all navigate the remote learning environment.
9/14/2020
Education and Outreach
Kim Law cares for as many as 150 animals in her role as head of the Zookeepers Club at Mabel Hoggard Elementary School, a club that teaches students compassion and more. To celebrate her inspiring work, The Smith Center honored Law as one of the top 20 teachers for its fifth-annual Heart of Education Awards.
9/10/2020
Inside the Theater
While audiences today delight in colossal and mesmerizing set pieces, all of this would have baffled audiences from the age of William Shakespeare. Performances in this golden era featured spartan stages, with no sets and often no props. Explore how eye-popping visuals and captivating music eventually became intertwined with theater as we know it today.
9/9/2020
Performances and Artists
The Smith Center joins dozens of other performing arts centers nationwide in hosting a virtual screening and live panel discussion of the new documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” This initiative aims honor the life and legacy of one of the country's most renowned civil rights leaders: legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis.
9/7/2020
Discovering The Smith Center
While the coronavirus pandemic has forced The Smith Center to send employees home and cancel all performances through December, a skeleton crew still remains on site to keep the building safe and operations running smoothly. The Smith Center points the spotlight on these hard-working team members.
9/4/2020
Inside the Theater
Live theater began with a man and his love for stories. Most theater and history buffs can name Thespis of ancient Greece, the world’s first known actor, and the origin of theater term thespian. While ancient Greek performances had long featured choreographed choral processions, Thespis sparked the idea for a show the likes of which none had seen before.
9/2/2020
Performances and Artists
Many rock stars earn reputations for scandal and battles against society that draw just as much attention as their music. But today’s artists didn’t invent this pattern. Believe it or not, classical composers from centuries ago launched this trend. Many of the greats who penned lasting masterpieces also dabbled in conspiracies, debauchery and rebellion.
8/26/2020
Education and Outreach
Full-time learning at home can feel unusual for students – but using the arts can help ease this transition. Physical activity stimulates the brain and can promote better academic performance. The Smith Center offers ideas to give young ones quick breaks during the day, which will have them moving and even gaining early exposure to the arts.