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…
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…
Merry Wives of Windsor kicks the first opera of the spring semester
The first show to take on the Kirkpatrick stage this semester is the Bass School of Music mainstage opera, The Merry Wives of Windsor. The Merry Wives of Windsor is a Shakespearean comedy that follows the character Sir John Falstaff as he tries to seduce two married women in order to gain access to their…
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…
Puffs to Kick off School of Theater Spring Semester
The first School of Theater show of the spring 2024 semester is Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic! Puffs is the perfect show for all Harry Potter fans out there. It is a hilarious play that gently mocks the series and makes clever jokes that only true…
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,…
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…
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…
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.
Campus tech provides resources for digital learning in classrooms
Many of the schools and learning spaces across OCU recently received a technology upgrade.
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: Project 21 Dance Concert
Students from the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment collaborated to produce the annual Project 21 Dance Concert with student composers, choreographers and performers.
School of Dance video reaches two million views on YouTube
The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment is reaching students in more ways than one.
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.
Gallery: Broadway Revue
View photos from the upcoming spring dance show
Gallery: P21: 5! 6! 7! 8!
The performance was Feb. 12 in Burg Theatre in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
“Home for the Holidays” dance show to emphasize new styles, same themes
This year’s production will feature new dances and technology that have not been seen before, but the show will keep the same themes as performances from the past.
Video: Bringing Home Broadway Episode 3
Watch a behind-the-scenes video of technical rehearsals for the American Spirit Dance Company’s Spring Show.
Video: Bringing Home Broadway Episode 2
Watch a behind-the-scenes video of blocking weekend for the American Spirit Dance Company’s Spring Show.
School of Dance presents Broadway-style Christmas show
The Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment will present its annual Christmas extravaganza Home For the Holidays.
Dance school changes name to define program
The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management will no longer be known by that name. The school was renamed The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment to help make the school’s purpose easier to understand, said Melanie Shelley, associate dean and professor of arts management. “It’s an effort for it…
