Justin A. Pike
Little Rock,AR
Summary
Local professional theatre artist dedicated to enriching the central Arkansas arts landscape through inspired work, quality execution, and the cultivation of professionalism across all factions of local theatre. Through my passion for theatre and natural leadership skills, I have worked hard to cultivate the next generation of theatre artists and have been successful in my long-range goals for The Studio Theatre, Benton Royal Young Players, and beyond. I could be characterized as an artist that doesn't take himself too seriously, however, takes his work and community influence very seriously.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Artistic Director
The Studio Theatre
01.2015 - 01.2025
- Plan programming for each season - including productions, limited engagements, and special events.
- Direct and produce a minimum of two main stage productions each season.
- Foster relationships with other area arts organizations.
- Foster productive, professional working relationships with fellow craftspeople, vendors, local and area partnerships, and media representatives.
- Work closely with the Executive Director to implement strategic business planning and day-to-day operations to optimize organization's financial position.
- Work closely with the Executive Director to create long and short range plans and develop target goals and objectives to support those endeavors.
- Responsible for appearing on television, radio, and social media as a means to promote productions and generate brand awareness.
- Hire performers, directors and support personnel in preparation for the organization's eight to ten productions each season.
- Attended local, regional, and national conferences to continue to foster growth in The Studio and our greater arts community.
- Develop each season's overall aesthetic concept and design all promotional materials (banners, flyers, graphics, brochures) accordingly.
- Develop and manage each season's production schedule.
- Drive business growth and community visibility through implementation of targeted marketing and sales strategies.
- Responsible for providing support for guest directors and artists.
- Work with directors and Executive Director to develop show budgets.
- Promote The Studio through speaking engagements, working as a teaching artist, guest directing, and networking events.
- Address patron concerns and work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
- To date, I have produced or designed over 30 shows for The Studio Theatre.
Program Director
Young Players Second Stage (YP2S)
10.2013 - Current
- Co-founder and Director.
- Provide early educational and pre-professional programming.
- Show selection.
- Manage large casts of 13 - 23 year olds.
- Manage program growth. In 8 years, program has grown from 31 young artists representing two counties to approx. 250 representing representing 6 counties in central Arkansas.
- Develop and manage production schedule.
- Manage Show Budget.
- Facilitate trips to New York City for students to learn from industry professionals in the world's largest working theatre market. (July 2017, July 2019, July 2022, July 2024)
- Currently facilitating trips to Europe (London - July 2022, May 2025, Paris / Milan / Florence / Rome - July 2023) to broaden students world view and expose them to the world's second largest working theatre market..
- Utilize personal connections, namely Broadway performers and industry professionals, to present workshops and other educational opportunities.
- Assist the Young Players' Director of Education and the Artistic Director of Young Players.
- Develop and manage creative teams for projects.
- Develop yearly marketing strategies.
- Develop and execute workshop series including Audition Techniques, Mental and Physical Wellness in the Theatre, and Professional Issues.
- Program culminates in a fully realized production in three weeks.
- Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion both onstage and offstage.
Program Co-Facilitator
The Church (subsidiary of Helping Hands Mission)
09.2020 - 12.2020
- Co-created a non denominational faith-based youth theatre program working with underserved youth through The Church, a Christian center focusing on resources for recovering narcotics abusers in Saline County.
- Responsible for facilitating theatre lessons to youth with an emphasis on kindness, empathy, equity, and general character building skills.
- Students taught basic theatre games, basic theatre principles, and basic knowledge of all areas of theatre arts.
- Responsible for writing and facilitating closing sermons for each lesson, which related each lesson to figures and examples illustrated in the Holy Bible.
- 12 week program culminated in co-directing a Christmas pageant for friends, family, and populations frequenting the mission.
Summer Program Director
Arts And Science Center For Southeast Arkansas
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Develop and implement a STEAM-based curriculum that satisfies the needs and interests of the campers by introducing young people to theatre by way of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.
- Playwriting (Senior Camp) - cultivate basic playwriting form and create an original work to be performed by Junior Camp based on the 6 basic elements format.
- Establish short term (daily) and long term (season) camp goals and monitor outcomes.
- Work with special needs and underserved youth with an interest in the performing arts.
- Promote a safe and equitable learning environment.
- Plan field trips and special activities to enrich campers through the arts.
- Organize large and small activities for the purposes of education and trust, and team building.
- Schedule and manage support staff (Interns)
- Mediate conflicts between campers.
- Support, follow, and promote ASC protocol.
- Direct final camp projects.
- Program ended due to COVID 19 hardships.
Graphic Designer / Operations Manager
Beyond Cotton
03.2014 - 03.2020
- Utilize my expertise to develop engaging marketing and promotional materials, including flyers, web graphics, and print advertisements to generate new sales revenues and grow customer base.
- Designed new, on-brand visual elements focusing on concept and messaging.
- Help maintain the aesthetics of www.beyondcotton.com.
- Adjusted images sizes and selected fonts for media-related projects.
- Produce special seasonal projects for promotional and informational purposes (Seasonal Gift Guides, etc.)
- Generated digital image files for use in digital and traditional printing.
- Formatted designs and media for print and web applications to deliver production ready graphics.
- Utilize my experience with Adobe Creative Suite to produce finished, on-brand, production ready graphics and advertisements.
- Create web materials such as images and redirect links for use in marketing and email campaigns.
Design Assistant
Christopher Todd Design, Ltd.
03.2012 - 04.2015
- Traveled Nationally.
- Assisted Owner/Head Designer in all aspects of home / commercial decor installations.
- Carried out site visits to identify specifications and ordered materials, while working to support the Owner's vision.
- Assisted with national accounts including Land Rover, Porsche, and Rolls Royce.
- Team installation of large national events such as Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event (Kentucky Horse Park - Lexington, Kentucky), Temecula Horse Show (Galway Downs - Temecula, California), and Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance (Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, California).
- Drove large vans and trucks for installation delivery.
- Researched fixtures and furnishings aligned with project requirements and design style.
- Gathered price quotes from contractors and vendors.
Wardrobe Assistant
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
09.2007 - 01.2009
- Worked as a wardrobe assistant to Rafael Castanera during the 2006 - 2007 and 2007 - 2008 seasons.
- Responsible for organization of and maintenance of all costumes throughout the run of each production.
- Responsible for designing and executing quick changes.
- Responsible for tracking costumes, wigs, accessories, and costume pieces during each performance.
- Responsible for all laundry associated with the production, maintaining excellent condition for each garment.
- Steamed and pressed all necessary garments.
- Observed compliance with all wardrobe policies associated with the Actor's Equity Association.
- Communicated with the Actor's Equity Deputy regarding the wardrobe needs of the cast.
- Remained composed, positive and professional during long working days and when dealing with difficult individuals.
Actor
Murry's Dinner Playhouse
07.2008 - 04.2011
- Actor employed in their summer stock production of Annie.
- Maintained proper guest relations
- Held accountable for knowing all lines, music, and any other responsibilities associated with my role.
- Required to be on time for all call times.
- Over my tenure at Murry's Dinner Playhouse, I appeared in Guys & Dolls, Funny Valentines, Southern Hospitality, Annie, and Second Time Around.
Actor
Chaffin's Barn Theatre
07.2011 - 09.2011
- Actor employed in their summer stock production of Annie.
- Maintained proper guest relations
- Held accountable for knowing all lines, music, and any other responsibilities associated with my role.
- Required to be on time for all call times.
- Completed media interviews on television, radio and digital podcasts or videos to promote performances.
Stage Director
Red Curtain Theatre
08.2016 - 10.2018
- Responsible for casting.
- Responsible for meeting with the Producer production team once a week.
- Responsible for developing and implementing rehearsal schedule and production schedule.
- Over my tenure at Red Curtain Theatre, I directed their productions of The Addams Family (Fall 2016) and The Rocky Horror Show (Fall 2018), The Laramie Project (Spring 2021), The Rocky Horror Show (tentatively scheduled Fall of 2021).
Stage Director
The Royal Theatre
10.2012 - 08.2019
- Responsible for casting.
- Responsible for meeting with the Producer production team once a week.
- Responsible for developing and implementing rehearsal schedule and production schedule.
- Over my tenure at The Royal Theatre, I directed their productions of Annie (2012), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2014), and Disaster! The Musical (2019).
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR08.2006
High School Diploma -
Conway High School West
Conway, AR05.2000
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite - 20 years
- Project Planning
- Classroom Management
- Team Development
- Collaboration
- Computer Skills (Mac)
- Public Speaking
- Scenic, Lighting, & Costume Design
- Advanced Sewing
- Experienced Musician - 30 years
- Proficient in Google Workspace
- Basic Spanish
- Proficient in MyDmx30 Design Application
- Critical thinking and rapid problem solving
Accomplishments
*2025 - Voted President of the South/West Theatre Conference.
*2024 - Appointed to the American Association of Community Theatre National Board of Directors (representing Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico).
*2023 - Graduate of Artists Inc, facilitated by Mid America Arts Alliance.
*2023 - The Studio Theatre achieves Top 10 ranking nationally by the American Association of Community Theatre for its 2023 cycle.
*2021 - The Studio Theatre ranked second nationally by the American Association of Community Theatre for its 2021 cycle. (First time Arkansas has been ranked on the national level).
*2021 - The Studio Theatre featured on the cover of Spotlight Magazine, the national publication of AACT.
*2020 - Recipient, Arkansas Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship. Awarded to three Arkansas theatre directors once a decade for their accomplishments in directing, overall professionalism, and advocacy for the advancement of theatre arts in the state of Arkansas.
Affiliations
- President, Arkansas Community Theatre Association (2016 - 2020)
- Member, Kappa Kappa Psi National Alumni Association
- Member, University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association
- Candidate, Actor's Equity Association (EMC)
- Member, American Association of Community Theatre
Other Experience
- Acting, Technical, and Design resumes available upon request.
Timeline
Program Co-Facilitator
The Church (subsidiary of Helping Hands Mission)
09.2020 - 12.2020
Summer Program Director
Arts And Science Center For Southeast Arkansas
06.2018 - 06.2020
Stage Director
Red Curtain Theatre
08.2016 - 10.2018
Artistic Director
The Studio Theatre
01.2015 - 01.2025
Graphic Designer / Operations Manager
Beyond Cotton
03.2014 - 03.2020
Program Director
Young Players Second Stage (YP2S)
10.2013 - Current
Stage Director
The Royal Theatre
10.2012 - 08.2019
Design Assistant
Christopher Todd Design, Ltd.
03.2012 - 04.2015
Actor
Chaffin's Barn Theatre
07.2011 - 09.2011
Actor
Murry's Dinner Playhouse
07.2008 - 04.2011
Wardrobe Assistant
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
09.2007 - 01.2009
High School Diploma -
Conway High School West
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
University of Central Arkansas
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