John Proctor is the Villain was performed in the Burg Theater at Oklahoma City University on September 26-29, 2024. Set in 2018, this play follows the story of a high school English class as they dissect The Crucible. Topics such as naive infatuation, feminism, sexual assault, and misused power dynamics illuminate the Metoo movement of…
Norick Exhibit: The Intersection of Art and Science
Many students either say they have a creative brain that does not compute science or a logical brain that does not understand art. Other stereotypes include science not considering emotions or art not considering real-to-life accuracy. Because of this way of thinking, there has been a divide between two critical topics that affect humans’ way…
Everybody Get Footloose at OCU: Classic Film Gets Stars’ Musical Makeover
Emily Sullivan and Zac Decker’s dynamic performance in Footloose (Photo/Michael Anderson/Wanda L. Bass School of Music) Drama, duets and dancing, a make-up of a spectacular show. Footloose hits all the marks. Based on the 1980s film adaptation, Footloose the Musical turns the old town of Beaumont into rock and roll central. The audience follows Ren…
OCU Alum Stars in Oklahoma Shakespeare’s Rendition of Hamlet
Oklahoma Shakespeare recently brought one of the Bard’s most famous works to audiences as the cornerstone of their 40th anniversary season, and Oklahoma City University Stars lined the playbill. Hamlet, Shakespeare’s legendary play about death, madness, and revenge, wrapped production on Sept. 29. School of Theater alum Sarah Filek, BFA Acting ’24, made her Oklahoma…
An Artistic Exhibit Of Expertise And Extravagance
“Pull-yourself-together! What will you do? Is this a question? You will show him you remember that he is Mr. Incredible and remind him who you are.” Ah yes, we all remember watching the infamous Edna Mode on the big screen: running around in her mansion with her signature bangs and glasses. This character is not…
Revealing Oscar Wilde’s Trials: See Gross Indecency on Stage
Explore Oscar Wilde’s journey through the interesting play Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde. From Apr. 11 to Apr. 14, 2024, this show will take place in the OCU Bass School of Music’s Black Box Theatre. This moving performance will force you to think about living in an era where it was considered…
Audiences travel back in time with “She Stoops to Conquer”
This past weekend, audiences got to enjoy a delightful world of wit, charm, and hilarity in the production of She Stoops to Conquer presented by the OCU School of Theatre. Under the direction of D. Lance Marsh, the show featured OCU’s incredibly talented theatre students in this rendition of Oliver Smith’s classic comedy. The play…
Laugh Along with She Stoops to Conquer
Prepare for an evening full of laughter with the amazing upcoming comedy She Stoops to Conquer which will be showing at Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center’s Burg Theatre. The show is a timeless comedy that promises to fill the room with laughter, misunderstandings and delightful twists. Set in the countryside of 18th century England, this classic…
Inside the award-winning OCU Dance School
The Oklahoma City University Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment is renowned throughout the country, consistently being one of the best-ranked dance programs in America, but what is behind the success of the dance program? Artistic Director Tiffany van der Merwe and Executive Director Melanie Shelley attributed this continued success to several things,…
Real Life Pitch Perfect: A Capella Group Wins Quarterfinals
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella is not just for Pitch Perfect – it exists in real life, and OCU’s Tonal Eclipse is the winner of their quarterfinal competition. Tonal Eclipse is one of two a cappella groups here on OCU’s campus. It is an entirely student lead organization who do their own arrangements,…
Be Aggressive: A Hilarious Journey of Healing and Resilience
The story of a high school cheerleader dealing with grief and healing in Be Aggressive offers an insightful look at family dynamics, resilience and the need for escape. This dramatic comedy, written by Annie Weisman, takes place in the sunny community of Vista Del Sol in southern California. The story focuses on Laura, a…
Dusty and the Big Bad World: Exploring Real Life
Dusty and the Big Bad World will be presented in the Black Box Theater from March 7-10 for an exciting and challenging evening. This show gives an informed and humorous look at current issues. It is based on true events revolving the television show, “Postcards from Buster” produced by the Public Broadcasting Service. The play looks at…
Studio Series presents The Life of Galileo
The Life of Galileo explored a dramatized retelling of the famous scientist’s real life, exploring themes of faith versus fact, courage and betrayal. Directed by Hal Kohlman, this show opened in the Black Box Theatre on Feb 22 as the first Studio Series of the spring semester. The Studio Series is a production series through…
Freede Center hosts annual spring powwow
On Feb. 18, Oklahoma City University had the privilege of hosting its annual spring powwow in the Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Oklahoma City Princesses Honor Powwow took place from 2-10 pm and was sponsored by the Changing Winds Cultural Society. The powwow was hosted by the OCU Office of Diversity, Equity…
Meaningless: Newest Neustadt Lecture Performance
For the 2024 Oklahoma City University Wimberly School of Religion’s Neustadt Lecture, OCU has partnered with the Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma to present “Meaningless,” an interpretation of Ecclesiastes. “Meaningless” is a one-man show performed by Rodney Brazil, an OKC-based actor, director and writer, who helped adapt the book of Ecclesiastes into play format, along with…
2023-24 Spring Semester in the Arts
Welcome back Stars! We hope that you had a great break and are ready to get back to another great semester of learning. We are absolutely thrilled for students to return to campus and share this semester’s show calendar. Take a look at what is planned for this semester: January 25: Project 21 Concert Bass…
44th Annual Christmas Vespers Celebration
OCU School of Music presents the annual Christmas Vespers Concert! Over 250 musicians and choral students will perform at the 44th annual Christmas Vespers. The concert includes student organists, the OCU flute choir, and concludes with Night of Silence which is a candlelight recessional inspired by Silent Night. You can expect to experience a few…
The Yellowboat Leaves Audience Emotional
Oklahoma City University’s final Studio Series production of the fall semester came to a close today. The Yellowboat occupied the Black Box Theatre in one of the most moving pieces of the season so far. Directed by senior BFA Acting Major, Sarah Filek, the show developed a beautifully creative world that explored the tragic story…
OCU Begins New Organization “From Scratch”
Oklahoma City University is home to many student organizations including the recently founded From Scratch. From Scratch is a student organization housed under the School of Theatre that strives to promote original student work created “from scratch.” With an emphasis on playwrighting, co-artistic director, Olivia Akers, states that the organization focuses on producing new works…
American Premiere of Opera Pieta
The twisted and captivating tale of Pietà/Suor Angelica took the stage this past weekend as a part of the Wanda Bass School of Music season. Pietà/Suor Angelica are two separate operas that tie into each other through characters and plot lines. Pietà is a new opera co-written by the director of this production, Andrea DelGiudice….
Star Dance Company Lights Up the Stage with Holiday Spectacular
The Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment at Oklahoma City University presents the Star Dance Company’s Holiday Spectacular, an incredible show of talent and festive cheer. The performances, which will take place at OCU’s Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Building’s Kirkpatrick Theater, promises to be a joyous celebration of the holiday season. More than 120…
Oklahoma City University School of Theatre Presents North American Premiere of Paradise
The Oklahoma City University School of Theatre presents its final mainstage show of the fall semester, Paradise by Kae Tempest. The show is a new take on the classic Greek legend of Philoctetes, a celebrated wartime hero turned into an outcast, who, after being stranded on a desolate island for ten years changes plans from…
Light and Sound on Steel and Glass Stuns Viewers
Every other year, Oklahoma City University School of Music and School of Theatre collaborate for a stunning multimedia display in downtown Oklahoma City entitled “Light & Sound on Steel & Glass.” This year the outside concert took place on Saturday, November 4th. Lighting Design students from OCU’s Theatre Design and Production under the supervision of…
Music School Presents The Light in the Piazza
The Wanda Bass School of Music is excited to announce this semester’s musical spotlight, The Light in the Piazza. The musical follows a tale of love, regret and new beginnings as a mother and daughter embark on parallel journeys of self-discovery during a trip to Italy, where their lives are transformed by a chance encounter…
Anna Marie Wright Crowned Miss OCU 2024
Miss OCU 2024, Oklahoma City University’s annual beauty pageant crowned a new winner last night in junior musical theatre major Anna Marie Wright. The competition featured 4 onstage sections as well as an interview prior. Competitors compete in an onstage question, health and fitness wear, talent, and an evening wear section. Nine women ranging from…
A Look into OCU OPERAtions
Oklahoma City University OPERAtions is a student-run organization that focuses on learning about and performing operas and is headed by co-executive directors Maeve Sullivan and Camryn Creech. Creech described it as, “an opportunity for people to perform,” as well as explaining that “it’s a way for people to get something under their resume, do something…
