A Q&A with Theatre’s Ashley Cohea

Ashley Cohea

Ashley Cohea
Business Manager,
Department of Theatre

In this conversation, Cohea talks about the many hats she wears in the theatre, her love of students and for showcasing their awesome work, her collection of vintage toys and action figures, the newly renovated UA Black Box Theater, and preparing for a newborn.

Q: Tell us a little about your research, academic passions and/or role within the college. What excites you about this?

I am the Business Manager for the Department of Theatre. It’s a role that involves many hats. I handle all the ticketing and advertising, run the ‘front of house’ for each show, organize special events, manage our website, and oversee community outreach, among other things. It is something new every day.

I have the greatest job in the world because our students and faculty put in so much time and effort to create these incredible productions, and then I get to brag about them and listen to all the praise from the audience members after the show. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I have been on staff since January 2012, so this is my sixth year with the Department of Theatre and Fulbright College. Wow, I’m honestly kind of amazed by that. I guess it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun!

I love so much about Fulbright, the theatre department, and the University of Arkansas that I could probably write a whole book. But if I had to pick the one thing I enjoy most, it is the students.

Watching these young people find their passion and grow as artists is an amazing experience. They come to us excited and eager to learn and spend the next three to four years developing their skills and finding their unique place in the world of theatre (or film/television).

Soon they are off to make their mark on the world, and we get to start all over with a new group.

Q: What do you most hope your students remember from their classes and/or interactions with you?

I really hope when the students remember me, they remember feeling encouraged and supported.

I don’t get the same level of direct time with them as the faculty, and I certainly don’t have the same level of skills or knowledge to offer them, but what I do have is enthusiasm for their work and their education.

I hope that comes through in my interactions with them and the work I do to get the community involved with their work.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

My husband and I collect vintage toys and action figures, everything from He-Man and She-Ra to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Care Bears. So, we enjoy trips to flea markets and toy conventions all around the Arkansas/Oklahoma/Missouri area.

Rogers has a particularly great collection of flea markets for toy hunters, so we often spend entire Saturdays hunting for our next treasure there.

I also love a good rock show. I’ll go see just about any live music, and I drive all over the country to see my favorite bands. It isn’t uncommon for me to hit the road on a Friday evening, drive to Dallas or St. Louis or Denver to see a concert, then be back at work on Monday morning.

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you?

This coming year is incredibly exciting for me, both professionally and personally.

This is our first season with our newly renovated UA Black Box Theater on the Fayetteville square. The space is phenomenal, and it is going to give our students and audience members an entirely new type of theatre experience.

We are also bringing in several guest artists, including a guest director for our production of Topdog/Underdog in the spring. To top it off, we’ve revamped our season packages to offer a more customizable experience for our subscribers, and we are working with the wonderful folks at Experience Fayetteville to activate more community engagement. 

On a more personal note, my husband and I will be welcoming our first child this December. So, when I’m not selling tickets or telling the world how great our theatre students are, I will be putting together a comic-themed nursery and shopping for a whole new kind of toy collection.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

If you’re reading this, come see a show!

We have a great season with six diverse productions, so there really is something for everyone. Our students and faculty do professional-quality work and our tickets are some of the most affordable in NWA.

Even if you don’t think live theatre is for you, I’d encourage you to check out our website, and pick one show to see. You might just be surprised. In fact, I’d count on it.