Smith Center Blog

Discovering The Smith Center / Community Impact

How Community Groups Connect at The Smith Center

When Marise Mizel first moved to the Sun City Summerlin active-adult community, she immediately joined the community’s travel club. “I wanted to go places and do things, and meet new people,” explains Mizel, now club president.

Inside the Theater

Win Mom’s Heart with A Gift To The Arts

Mother's Day is just around the corner on Sunday May 10. Though many families have been separated by social distancing protocols and traditional celebrations have been put on hold, you can bypass the challenges of the times and still honor loved ones with a gift card for The Smith Center.

Education and Outreach

Vegas Drummer Helps Children on the Spectrum Find Their Rhythm

As a leading professional percussionist, Linda Austin — known to all by her stage name, L.A. — can list many impressive performance experiences. This even includes playing for world icons such as Nelson Mandela. But one of L.A.’s favorite memories took place in a Clark County School District (CCSD) classroom.

Community Impact

Record-Setting Volunteers at The Smith Center

Claudia Newbury knew she wanted to volunteer at The Smith Center the first time she stepped foot there in 2012, the center’s opening year. “I describe it when I do tours as ‘a happy building,’” Newbury says. “You walk in and you just smile because it’s such a beautiful place. The people are so nice, and there are so many things going on.”

Education and Outreach

Vegas Student Finds Joy in Theater After Lifelong Health Issues

As assistant principal with Richard J. Rundle Elementary School in Las Vegas, Stacey Sly felt true pride watching students perform the school’s second-ever theater production this spring. But seeing her 9-year-old daughter Lissa among them raised her reaction to pure astonishment.

Inside the Theater

The Surprising Stories Behind Unusual Theater Traditions

At theaters around the world, performers and workers behind the scenes take their crafts seriously – and this often includes upholding longstanding theater traditions. Some of these hold practical purposes, others offer a bit of fun… And some just give artists a little peace of mind.

Inside the Theater / Discovering The Smith Center

The Smith Center Conducts Campus-Wide Disinfecting

The Smith Center’s stages might be dark for now, but its team remains hard at work preparing for when the doors reopen. To ensure the highest standard of cleanliness and safety when guests return, the center just launched campus-wide disinfecting, alongside general infrastructure improvements.

Supporting the Arts

Ticket Donations Help to Ensure the Show Will Go On

Beginning with appearing in an award-winning production of Man of La Mancha in Chicago in her 20s, Helen B. Arnold began a lifelong passion for music and the performing arts that continues today. Arnold, a dedicated patron and generous supporter of The Smith Center, views the performing arts as “food for the soul."

Education and Outreach

Five Beneficial Arts Activities to Enjoy at Home

With theaters and performances on hiatus across Southern Nevada, it remains just as important now as ever to keep the arts alive. Even as community members remain at home, they can still pursue a variety of art forms to boost their spirits and nurture creativity.

Education and Outreach

At-Home Arts Activities for Families

With schools temporarily closed and families remaining home, many parents might be searching for stimulating activities to engage their children. Fortunately, opportunities abound to create and entertain at home. Many arts-related games and crafts can expand the imagination, and provide valuable quality time.