Alumna and Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara will perform at a fundraiser hosted by OCU for the Meyers Theater for Young Audiences.
The MTYA was founded 10 years ago to expose local children to live theater and create specialized educational performances that will teach school-age children about American history and topics on contemporary issues.
OCU will host a gala with dinner and a performance by O’Hara at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 N.E. 63rd St. Proceeds from the gala will go toward the creations of an endowment to support MTYA.
Sandy and Stewart Meyers introduced OCU to MTYA after bringing the Kennedy Center’s Touring Theatre for Young Audiences performances to Oklahoma City. That program was discontinued in 2012, but Sandy Meyers has sought to carry forward the work of the Kennedy Center’s touring program to engage school children in live, values-based theatrical performances. The Meyers have worked with OCU to offer spring semester productions focused on young audiences since February 2013, according to a press release.
OCU wants to continue developing a relationship with MTYA and eventually form an endowment. The money will go toward resources to create and sustain theater outlets for young people and new works.
“This is going to be a really spectacular evening and event. I encourage anyone who can go to attend,” said Lora Malone, director of development and external relations.
O’Hara was nominated for a Tony Award for her performances in The Light in the Piazza, Nice Work if You Can Get It, and South Pacific, and most recently won for her performance in The King and I. She also was awarded an honorary doctorate from OCU in November.
Visit MediaOCU.com to read more about O’Hara receiving the honorary doctorate.
“Chamber Choir was given tickets to attend the event, and I am so excited to go,” said Nicole Choate, music theater senior. “Kelli is just such a beautiful performer and an inspiration to me and so many other sopranos.”
Guests are asked to arrive in cocktail attire. Tickets are $200 each and are available to anyone who wants to attend. Tickets are available online at secure.okcu.edu/onlinegiving/meyers/.
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