Inspiration Point Center for the Arts will present two powerful and emotionally resonant performances of The Sacred Veil on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, bringing a spellbinding collaboration of ballet and choral music to Eureka Springs.
The performances will take place at the newly opened Inspiration Point theater in Eureka Springs (16311 Highway 62 West) and mark one of the first public ticketed events presented under the Inspiration Point Center for the Arts banner, reflecting the organization’s expanding role as a year-round hub for performing arts experiences in the region.
Featuring dancers from the University of Oklahoma School of Dance and the Windsong Chamber Chorale, the production pairs the hauntingly beautiful choral work of internationally acclaimed composer Eric Whitacre with newly created ballet choreography by Sophia Smith, choreographer for the University of Oklahoma’s Dance Department. Accompanied by piano and cello, the performance offers audiences a deeply moving exploration of love, loss and the fragile boundary between worlds.
Originally commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and recorded in 2020, The Sacred Veil was created by Whitacre in collaboration with his close friend, poet and medieval history professor Charles Anthony Silvestri of Washburn University. The text reflects Silvestri’s journey toward healing after the death of his wife from cancer, transforming personal grief into a luminous meditation on memory, connection and enduring love.
The title refers to the delicate boundary between the world of the living and what lies beyond. In the opening movement, Silvestri writes: “Whenever there is birth or death, the sacred veil between the worlds grows thin and opens slightly up, just long enough for Love to slip, silent, either in or out.”
In 2025, choreographer Sophia Smith expanded the work’s expressive power by translating its emotional landscape into ballet, giving the piece a striking third dimension. The upcoming performances at Inspiration Point mark only the second time this ballet interpretation of The Sacred Veil has been presented.
“The Sacred Veil is a rare work that invites audiences to reflect on love, loss, and the unseen connections that shape our lives,” said Alice Martinson, IPCA board chair. “Bringing together extraordinary dancers, singers and musicians for this powerful collaboration allows us to share an experience that is both deeply moving and profoundly beautiful. We are honored to present this remarkable performance as one of the first public events from Inspiration Point Center for the Arts.”
With the combined talents of the University of Oklahoma dancers, the Windsong Chamber Chorale and live instrumental accompaniment, this performance promises an unforgettable artistic experience for audiences in Northwest Arkansas.
Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Single-ticket prices for The Sacred Veil range from $40 to $60, based on seating preferences, or $20 for children under 18 with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets and additional information are available through the Inspiration Point Center for the Arts website at inspirationpointarts.org/events.
ABOUT INSPIRATION POINT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Inspiration Point Center for the Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The campus has long been home to Opera in the Ozarks, a nationally recognized summer opera training program that has presented professional opera in Northwest Arkansas for 75 years while nurturing the next generation of singers and musicians.
In 2025, Opera in the Ozarks celebrated the opening of the new state-of-the-art 300-seat theater, made possible by a generous $34 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation. The facility preserves the intimate performance experience the organization is known for while expanding production capabilities and audience comfort.
With the addition of the new theater and expanded campus facilities, Inspiration Point Center for the Arts was established to present performances and programs throughout the year, broadening the range of artistic offerings at Inspiration Point beyond the annual opera season. While Opera in the Ozarks continues its longstanding tradition of presenting opera and training emerging artists each summer, IPCA now serves as a year-round cultural hub for Northwest Arkansas, presenting dance, music, theater, educational programs and community events during the remaining nine months of the year when OIO is not in residence. For more information, visit inspirationpointarts.org.
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