Discover Your Artistry: The Natural State Performing Arts Story
At Natural State Performing Arts (NSPA), we believe that dance is a powerful tool for personal expression, creativity, and wellness. Our core mission is to provide inclusive and equitable dance education for everyone. We are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment where every individual can explore, learn, and grow. Our commitment extends to the training, education, exploration, creation, and performance of fine arts within our community.
Our Story
NSPA was founded in 2023 by Caitlyn Price Sullins, a long-time resident and teacher in the Northwest Arkansas Area. Caitlyn, affectionately known as "Ms. Caity", has dedicated her life to dance and dance education. Her extensive background includes studying and teaching with Mrs. Margaret "Peggy" Wallace, completing major examinations for the Royal Academy of Dance, and earning a Fine Arts degree in Theatre and Dance from Missouri State University. After her degree, she worked professionally as a pointe shoe designer and consultant, traveling nationwide to help dancers find safe and appropriate tools for their unique bodies. More recently, Ms. Caity has achieved certification in the American Academy of Ballet's Performance Curriculum, which she participated in as a growing dancer in her youth. This unique blend of artistic and technical expertise deeply informs NSPA's approach.
We actively encourage students of all ages and backgrounds to pursue excellence in their training, personal development, and goal achievement. While classical ballet demands dedication, time, discipline, and a willingness to grow, we firmly believe that Every Body is a Ballet Body. Our studio, performances, and online communities uphold a hate-free policy with zero tolerance for prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry of any kind.
What Sets Us Apart: A Holistic Approach to Dance Education
Independence Levels
Moving beyond traditional age-based class divisions, our innovative Independence Levels system focuses on each dancer's individual development. This personalized approach considers a dancer's technical skill, self-management, maturity, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative spirit. It allows us to tailor learning environments where students are appropriately challenged and supported, fostering crucial life skills like self-motivation and critical thinking, and promoting holistic growth beyond just physical abilities. Whether you are a new dancer needing direct guidance (Level 1) or an experienced artist acting as a role model (Level 4), there's a clear progression path for everyone.
The Power of Dance Theatre
At NSPA, we specialize in Dance Theatre, which means we use theatre arts to tell full-length narratives through dance. Unlike recitals, our productions, such as "Persephone," "Little Women," and "Hallowed Harvest," offer audiences a complete story with compelling characters and themes, making them engaging even for those new to dance. For our students and cast, this approach provides a richer artistic experience, offering opportunities to learn beyond just dance techniques, including acting, musicality, choreography, stagecraft, theatre etiquette, and project management. This focus on original productions means our students consistently engage in creating everything from scratch.
Unwavering Commitment to Safety and Equity
Our dedication to safety is paramount. We maintain physically safe spaces with well-cushioned floors and enforce safety protocols, and our Safety Officer, Marissa Puentes, is present at events, rehearsals, and shows to ensure student well-being. More importantly, we prioritize emotional and psychological safety, fostering an environment where students can express themselves without fear of judgment, bullying, body shaming, or any form of emotional abuse. We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and will remove and ban anyone who compromises the safety of our community. To ensure accessibility, we offer scholarships and sponsorship opportunities, aiming to remove financial barriers to dance education. We also embrace culturally inclusive programming. We encourage open communication and have clear guidelines for addressing concerns about conduct or personal attributes, ensuring a welcoming space for all.
Engaging Our Community
We believe in the power of dance to connect with the wider community. We host various events and workshops, from American Academy of Ballet auditions and master classes (bringing professional ballet directors from New York to Northwest Arkansas) to Homeschool Dance Days at the Bentonville Public Library and field trips for local elementary schools. Our partnership with Facet Dance Collective, "The Choreographer's Stage," relaunches "Dance Chance" to provide a low-stakes, high-impact platform for local choreographers to create, experiment, and grow, often with interdisciplinary collaborations. These initiatives provide diverse opportunities for both artists and the public to engage with and understand dance.
Dance for Every Body: Adult Classes
We offer a variety of classes designed for adults, recognizing that dance is an excellent way to exercise, reduce stress, build discipline, foster community, and keep the brain pliable. Our inclusive approach means that regardless of your background or current physical condition, there's a dance class for you. As you get comfortable in the studio, we believe it's never too late to begin seriously studying dance and we welcome you to take regular technique classes, participate in shows, and become a part of our community.
We are passionate about guiding individuals through the art of dance and seeing their dreams come to life. Whether you are just starting your dance journey or are a seasoned artist, NSPA is a place where you can grow, connect, and thrive.
Meet our Team
Caitlyn Sullins
Founder and Director
Affectionately known by students in the area as "Ms. Caity," Caitlyn Price Sullins is dedicated to providing equitable access to dance and performing arts. Caity has enjoyed a life of dance and dance education, from studying and teaching alongside Mrs. Margaret "Peggy" Wallace and completing her major examinations for the Royal Academy of Dance to gaining her Fine Arts degree in Theatre and Dance from Missouri State University, where she trained under the instruction of Ruth Barnes and Sara Brummel. While earning her degree, she further applied and expanded her skills by performing, teaching classes, and producing shows for Kate Riegler A.R.A.D.'s studio in Springfield, MO.
After obtaining her degree, Caity entered the professional dance world as a pointe shoe designer and consultant, traveling across the country to help dancers find safe and appropriate tools for their unique bodies and abilities.
Having taught classes across the Ozarks and beyond, Caity is excited for the opportunity to provide her unique style of dance education to students in the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) area.
Just as a master weaver meticulously selects each thread...
...ensuring its strength, color, and texture contribute to the whole, NSPA carefully designs every aspect of your dance journey. We weave together individual growth, artistic exploration, and a supportive community, creating a vibrant tapestry where every dancer's unique contribution shines.