Theater Part I: Dallas Children’s Theater opens The Secret Life of Girls, a play about bullying, tonight. Check out three of the actors in the show, above, talking about why you might want to see it. Participating in a post-show discussion at tonight’s performance will be Joel Burns, the Fort Worth city councilman whose video for the “It Gets Better” campaign has attracted national attention.

Theater, Part II: A champagne toast and a food truck heralded Second Thought Theater’s season opener Pluck the Day last night. The company has spiffed up and taken over Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphries campus (next door to the main theater). Three small town beer-and-peyote addled guys’-guys struggle with addiction, crossword puzzles, the love of one woman and life beyond their front porch.   Fast-paced, funny and written by Steven Walters, Second Thought co-artistic director and member of the Dallas Theater Center’s company.

Still more theater: Porgy and Bess has extended its run on Broadway, reports the New York Times. That’s good news for Dallas actor Cedric Neal, who’s in the show. The Times also reviews the Boston Lyric Opera’s production of The Lighthouse. Dallas Opera performs its version in March.

Hearts on fire: Valentine’s Day is on its way. Find inspiration in work from the annual “El Corazon” art show at Bath House Cultural Center, featured in this DMN slideshow.