NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma’s Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts has announced its 2025–26 University Theatre season, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary works spanning opera, drama, dance and musical theater.
“As the only College of Fine Arts in the nation with five discrete schools, we take pleasure in providing exceptional experiences in the arts for our students and our cultural communities,” said College of Fine Arts Dean Mary Margaret Holt.
The season opens Sept. 26 with the Oklahoma Festival Ballet, featuring OU’s premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 8 p.m. in the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre. Additional productions throughout the year will showcase the range and talent of OU students.
Theater season productions for 2025–26 are:
Oklahoma Festival Ballet (September), Elsie C. Brackett Theatre
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows four star-crossed lovers tangled in magical confusion. Choreographed by OU School of Dance faculty Michael Bearden and Glenn Edgerton, the production includes the premiere of Tsela by guest choreographer Rena Butler, an influential voice in contemporary dance. Choreographer Boyko Dossev’s new ballet, Fantaisie-Impromptu, will be included.
The Turn of the Screw (October), Reynolds Performing Arts Center
Directed by OU Opera stage director Nicole Kenley-Miller, this operatic adaptation of Henry James’ novella follows a young governess convinced that malevolent ghosts are corrupting the children in her care.
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (November), Elsie C. Brackett Theatre
A musical comedy based on the 1974 cult classic film by Mel Brooks. The story follows the grandson of Victor Frankenstein as he inherits the family estate in Transylvania. OU performance professor Harold Mortimer will direct Young Frankenstein.
A Christmas Carol (December), Weitzenhoffer Theatre
Directed by Helmerich School of Drama professor Seth Gordon, this timeless story returns to the stage with its enduring themes of generosity and redemption.
Young Choreographers’ Showcase (January), Elsie C. Brackett Theatre
Patrons will be treated to fresh, bold and imaginative dance at this year’s Young Choreographers’ Showcase, as OU School of Dance students debut original works illuminated by lighting designs from Helmerich School of Drama students.
La Clemenza Di Tito (February), Reynolds Performing Arts Center
Directed by Kenley-Miller, Mozart’s opera tells the story of Emperor Tito, whose reign is threatened by betrayal and political intrigue.
Company (March), Elsie C. Brackett Theatre
Stephen Sondheim’s Company follows a lifelong bachelor reflecting on love and relationships as he celebrates his 35th birthday. OU performance professor Scott Guthrie will direct the production.
The Birds (April), Weitzenhoffer Theatre
Yvette Nolan’s adaptation of Aristophanes’ classic Greek comedy is reimagined through an Indigenous lens, exploring colonization and identity, under the direction of guest artist Daniel Leeman Smith, a two-spirit citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Contemporary Dance Oklahoma (May), Elsie C. Brackett Theatre
Featuring works choreographed by OU School of Dance faculty and guest artist Camille A. Brown. Her work New Second Line, inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, will honor the resilience and spirit of New Orleans.
A full theater season schedule is available at theatre.ou.edu. Some performances contain adult themes. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 405-325-4101, or at the OU Fine Arts Box Office inside Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd, Norman.
The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Art produces over 400 concerts, recitals, dramas, musicals, operas and dance performances each year. Learn more at ou.edu/finearts.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Mary Margaret Holt, dean of the University of Oklahoma Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts, has been honored with the Paseo Arts Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her leadership and contributions to Oklahoma’s arts community.
With winter weather already bringing low temperatures to the state, the Oklahoma Poison Center is urging residents to take extra precautions to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as they begin heating their homes for the winter season. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly when inhaled in large quantities, and it poses a heightened risk as people rely on heating devices for warmth during cold weather.
Thanks to support from the Chickasaw Nation, the University of Oklahoma College of Law has announced the continuation and expansion of the Chickasaw Nation – Henry Family Lecture Series. Under the new name, the event will continue to showcase thought-provoking discourse surrounding the rule of law.
