The Wanda L. Bass School of Music will open its 2024-2025 season with the inaugural mainstage production of Footloose, slated to perform in the Kirkpatrick Theater from Sep. 27-29. The 1998 musical, a stage adaptation of the beloved 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, tells the story of the fictional small town of Beaumont. The town’s…
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,…
Dance School Offers Diverse Learning Opportunities
When most people think of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, some of the first things that might come to mind is the amazing performances or the fact the school is known as a “Rockette Factory”. Everyone thinks of the incredible performance program, and how at just about any professional show you…
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,…
Behind the Scenes of Move!
Just before spring break, the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment produced their annual spring show Move! Dance For the World of Entertainment. Typically, what people enjoy most about the dance show is the incredible and talented dancers that bring the stage to life with the vision of the choreographers. However, there is…
OCU Announced in BroadwayWorld 2023 Winners
Hey Stars! The 2023 BroadwayWorld Oklahoma Awards Winners were announced in January! Oklahoma City University was awarded eight of these prestigious awards, which were voted upon at the end of 2023. Four of these awards were related to the standout 2023 fall mainstage musical Sweeney Todd. Here is a complete list of shows, students, faculty…
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…
Second Annual School of Dance Holiday Spectacular Draws in Crowds
The holiday season was kicked off this past year with the second annual Holiday Spectacular presented by the Oklahoma City University Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, running from December 7-11. The Spectacular was a two-act dance show with performances comprised entirely of student dancers with more student dancers filling several management positions,…
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…
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…
Harmonious Notes Fill the Night: Wind Ensemble/Wind Philharmonic Concert
The lovely music of the Wind Ensemble and Wind Philharmonic will soon fill Oklahoma City Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center, 7777 S. May Ave. This event, expected to begin at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, will be a fascinating experience for music lovers and students alike. The rich, warm tones will be heard throughout the hall,…
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…
OCU CARE Celebrates Diversity with 4TH Annual Color Cabaret
Oklahoma City University Creatives for Artistic and Realistic Equity (CARE) presented their first major event of the year, Color Cabaret, last Wednesday September 13th. Color Cabaret is an annual musical performance dedicated to showcasing performers of color. This year was the 4th annual cabare which serves as a fundraiser for the organization. The night was…
New Rules Cause Sorority to Stop Raising Funds for Ovarian Cancer in Honor of Late Sister
Oklahoma City University’s Gamma Phi Beta honored the life of a passed sister through their annual National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Philanthropy Week for the last time the week of March 24th. Events occurred all week, ranging from food to activities supporting the NOCC. Bondi Bowls was on campus Monday while a kickback took place at…
Next Arts for March
Friday, March 3, OCU Stripped, “Ride the Cyclone” Petree Recital Hall, Free Admission Thursday, March 9 – Saturday March 11, Star Dance Company “MOVE! Dance for the World of Entertainment” Kirkpatrick Auditorium, Tickets Required Thursday, March 23 – Sunday, March 26, Stage II, “Ada and the Engine” Black Box Theatre, Tickets Required Thursday, March 30,…
Star Dance Company to debut Holiday Spectacular
The Oklahoma City University Holiday Spectacular dance show will be the inaugural performance for the newly forged Star Dance Company of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment. Performances will occur Dec. 8-11, with performances on the 8th, 9th, and 10th happening at 8 p.m., and performances happening on the 10th and 11th…
Gallery: Closer Than Ever
On Friday, Feb. 26, the Wanda L. Bass School of Music debuted their delayed production of the Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire musical “Closer Than Ever” for a virtual audience. The show was held socially distanced in the Burg Theatre and was directed by Dr. David Herendeen.
School of Dance starts work on virtual production
The Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment began work this week on their virtual spring dance show, “Spring into Spring.”
Dance professor honored as part of “50 Making a Difference” for third year
Jo Rowan recently received an award from the Journal Record.
Performing arts seasons to adapt due to COVID-19
To comply with social distancing requirements, the schools of theatre, dance and music are altering their seasons to allow for increased social distancing and online performance opportunities.
University COVID-19 guidelines affect classes
Officials from each school at OCU have adjusted the classroom experience to accommodate for new COVID-19 policies.
Dance students react to online format
Dance officials are trying a new way to have dance classes online.
Gallery: Die Fledermaus
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music presented Johann Strauss II’s “Die Fledermaus.”
Dance management seniors to attend graduate school in Ireland
Katherine Reller and Morgan Wanamaker, dance management seniors, will be studying in a new country during the next academic year.
Student Choreography Show features 200 students
The Student Choreography Show and Friends is in full-swing, with participating students in rehearsals and faculty overseeing the student-run production.
