2024-2025

Clark State Performing Arts Center Turner Studio Theatre

The Clark State Theatre Arts Program presents Steel Magnolias. The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser,; an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader. M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby, is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby, who is diabetic, risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength – and love – which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind show with a small audience seated close to the stage, as well as complimentary desserts!

Closing out the 2024-25 season is Gina Chavez, a Latin Grammy nominee, internationally acclaimed recording artist, wife and philanthropist. A 13-time Austin Music Award winner and proud vice president of the Texas chapter of the Recording Academy, Born in Austin, Chavez’s first all-Spanish language album, “La Que Manda,” was nominated for a 2020 Latin Grammy in Best Pop/Rock. With a NPR Tiny Desk concert garnering more than 1.3 million views, Chavez is featured on Brene Brown’s hit podcast, “Unlocking Us”, for which they co-wrote the theme music.  Chavez will perform on April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

In this one-night-only event, direct from performing nightly at The Sahara Casino in Las Vegas, MJ LIVE! features #1 Vegas impersonator Jalles Franca, capturing the essence of MJ as he sings, spins and moonwalks through Michael’s early Jackson 5 hits including “I’ll Be There,” “ABC,” and “I Want You Back,” and continues through “Bad,” “Beat It,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” and many more. Complete with the MJ LIVE! band, back-up singers, dancers and dazzling choreography, MJ LIVE! recreates the incredible, thrilling magic of the legendary King of Pop!