Three debut recordings highlight the spring 2026 season of Arkansas Radio Theatre, an initiative that operates in association with the Arkansas Tech University Department of Communication and Media Studies.
The season begins on Saturday, Feb. 14, and will continue each Saturday through May 9. Each broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. on KXRJ 91.9 FM and www.atu.edu/broadcast.
Dr. David J. Eshelman, head of the ATU Department of Communication and Media Studies and professor of communication, founded Arkansas Radio Theatre in 2007 and serves as its director.
“Gooseberries” will debut on March 21. It was written in 1898 by Anton Chekhov. The story examines happiness, greed and moral decay. The Arkansas Radio Theatre production stars Ethan Carr, Adam Byler and Scarlett Allen.
“Easter Eve” will air for the first time on April 4. It tells the tale of a ferryman processing the grief associated with losing his best friend and mentor. Also written by Chekhov, “Easter Eve” is a short story that was published in 1886. Arkansas Radio Theatre’s take on the story features Josh Samson and Juliana Breshears.
The finale of the spring 2026 Arkansas Radio Theatre will be “Great Astronomical Discoveries.” It will debut on May 2. The story concerns an 1835 newspaper hoax whereby reporters claim to see peculiar life forms on the moon. Charlie Randall leads an ensemble cast for the Arkansas Radio Theatre production.
Arkansas Radio Theatre recordings are made available to the visually impaired through the Arkansas Information Reading Service.
Archived broadcasts of each performance are uploaded to blogs.atu.edu/radiotheatre.
Below is the complete spring 2026 Arkansas Radio Theatre schedule:
- Feb. 14: “The Brushwood Boy”
- Feb. 21: “Where Their Fire Is Not Quenched”
- Feb. 28: “Mrs. Bathurst”
- March 7: “The Cherry Orchard”
- March 14: “Reflections from Russia”
- March 21: “Gooseberries”
- March 28: “Gooseberries”
- April 4: “Easter Eve”
- April 11: “Easter Eve”
- April 18: “Right Here in Black and White,” Part 1
- April 25: “Right Here in Black and White,” Part 2
- May 2: “Great Astronomical Discoveries”
- May 9: “Great Astronomical Discoveries”
