Crimson Sun

Ms. LaNina Thomas graduated from UALR with a background in Theatre and Dance. Afterward, she worked as an actor in Arkansas for several years performing for The Rep, Murray’s Dinner Playhouse, The Community Theatre, and Children’s Theatre.

She also toured around Arkansas performing plays and conducting acting workshops for various Middle and High Schools.

These experiences provided invaluable knowledge her to draw on in her present career. However, Thomas did not immediately set her heart on teaching theater arts.            

“Even though I loved conducting the High School workshops, I decided to begin my teaching career as a dance, PE/Health instructor,” she said.

 “My husband and I started an afterschool program for the Southwest Little Rock community. He taught Music and I taught Drama and Dance. I had the best time teaching and became interested in teaching Drama as a full time teacher. That’s when I found McClellan. This is a very welcoming school and I love being a part of the McClellan family,” added Thomas.

            Thomas’s first day with students usually consists of explaining rules and procedures before diving in the fun of acting.  

            “The first day in a new environment with unfamiliar faces was actually very exciting, as I love new and challenging situations. I’ve taught students from five-year-olds to middle-aged adults and have found that every level is totally different from the others with their own challenges and advantages.”

            This year, Thomas plans to teach students various types of theatre, how prepare for auditions and tournaments, and explain the ropes of the entertainment industry.

“Some productions I’ve been considering are one-act plays, a Children’s Theatre play of African folk-tales, and a spring musical. I require all students to do their best and give 100%,” said Thomas.

 Thomas said that it can be frightening for some students to display their thoughts and emotions through in front of their peers. To help with this, she reminds students that we are a family and have “a duty to support each other so that each can feel comfortable and be successful.”

 Being nervous before a performance is quite natural and expected. Simple breathing exercises and loosening of the muscles are a pretty good remedy for stage fright.

            The most memorable production for Thomas was her performance in the musical, Showboat.

            “It was the first musical where I had a solo and I was honored to dance with the late Joe Terry, who was one of Arkansas’ most talented choreographers,” said Thomas.

            Her favorite actor is Lawrence Fishburne.

“In the summer of 2008, I had the pleasure to see him in a one-man show on Broadway in the play called, Thurgood, where he played the civil-rights attorney and first African-American supreme court justice, Thurgood Marshall,” said Thomas.

            She believes that acting is more than just a class. It’s a lesson in the art of living.

“It requires a lot hard work and self-discipline. I think that acting allows students to examine themselves, their lives, and even reinvent themselves. In drama, you can be anyone or anything you want. It can also help students to not take themselves so seriously and have a different outlook on life. I think Shakespeare said it best, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” said Thomas.