East Texas Performing Arts, Inc.

09/11/2026

Warms the heart - Hand written thank you notes from three of our guitar camp participants (and one dad!).

09/07/2026

Whether the required skill is simply knowing how to look an adult in the eye and shake their hand, or navigating a job interview, a person who has mastered basic soft skills will succeed.
This seminar uses basic improvisation skills, finds strengths/weaknesses, and teaches how to be comfortable speaking to a wide range of people. Students will grow in how they present themselves and understand what their actions say to a watching world.
Ages 13-20 are welcome. Register as an individual, or educators can register groups up to 20 individuals.
This free workshop is taught by Sara Whitaker of East Texas Performing Arts (ETPA), who has a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at De Paul University in Chicago and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling at Mission University. With ETPA, Ms. Whitaker has directed over 25 productions including Broadway musicals, dramas, comedies, classical, and original works about human trafficking and the sanctity of life, and has conducted numerous successful, beneficial soft skill seminars.
Space is limited. Please register at http://opnseo.com/skills or call 847-722-8798 or 903-634-7665.

09/05/2026

Don't miss a single night! https://TexasSounds.org

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Whether the required skill is simply knowing how to look an adult in the eye and shake their hand, or navigating a job interview, a person who has mastered basic soft skills will succeed.

This seminar uses basic improvisation skills, finds strengths/weaknesses, and teaches how to be comfortable speaking to a wide range of people. Students will grow in how they present themselves and understand what their actions say to a watching world.

Ages 13-20 are welcome. Register as an individual, or educators can register groups up to 20 individuals.

This free workshop is taught by Sara Whitaker of East Texas Performing Arts (ETPA), who has a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at De Paul University in Chicago and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling at Mission University. With ETPA, Ms. Whitaker has directed over 25 productions including Broadway musicals, dramas, comedies, classical, and original works about human trafficking and the sanctity of life, and has conducted numerous successful, beneficial soft skill seminars.

Space is limited. Please register at http://opnseo.com/skills or call 847-722-8798 or 903-634-7665.

08/22/2026

TWO MORE GUITARS!
Today, East Texas Performing Arts, Inc. gave guitars to these young ladies. Both girls attended ETPA's guitar camps and showed obvious determination to learn to play. ETPA gave one fullsize Epiphine acoustic and one 3/4 sized beginner's guitar. Bith girls promised to come play for us in a few weeks to show what they have mastered!

08/14/2026

You can't read it, but it is a great reminder of our summer guitar camps!

Marshall News Messenger did an article about one of our camp sessions and then we got an email advertisement from a company wanting to sell us this nice plaque. We decided, as a nonprofit public charity we should not spend money on such things, but it would be nice.

Here is all the info:
Title: Marshall’s East Texas Performing Arts welcomes students to first guitar camp of summer
Published: July 1, 2026
By: Lia Portillo
Outlet: Marshall News Messenger
Link: https://marshallnewsmessenger.com/2026/07/01/strumming-and-picking-east-texas-performing-arts-welcomes-students-to-first-guitar-camp-of-summer/

Summary
East Texas Performing Arts (ETPA) held its first youth guitar camp of the summer on June 27, 2026, at The Marshall Arts Collective. The camp is a new initiative aimed at introducing young people to the guitar while also accommodating more advanced students through multiple instructors.

Preston Taylor, ETPA vice president, noted that the nonprofit focuses largely on youth and also produces theater, concerts, and the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards Festival. The organization partners with the Gibson Foundation to give Gibson guitars to dedicated high-school guitarists.

On the first camp day, two beginner students (Isabella Ashcraft and Lorelei Hammond) were taught by Scotty Welland and Ricky Maxey of the Monday Night Pickers (a local group that plays weekly in downtown Marshall). Welland also volunteers with Texas Sounds.

The next Youth Guitar Camp was scheduled for July 18. Contact: 925-497-3915 or easttexasperformingarts.org.

08/04/2026

Yum!

***RIVERPORT BBQ*** is looking for an energetic, friendly team member to help with the following:
-run food to guests
-expedite and bag to-go orders
-work the cash register with accuracy and top notch service
-keep the restaurant running smoothly during busy times
-be willing to learn and become a member of a hardworking crew

We offer the following:
-competitive pay + tips
-flexible scheduling
-free shift meals
-paid training

No experience, no problem. We can coach you up. So if you’re reliable, enjoy a fast paced environment and love bbq, we want you. Come by the restaurant and get an application during business hours and we can schedule you for an interview asap!