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“The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social station.“
~ Stella Adler, Actress and Acting Coach
Ponca Playhouse is currently halfway through its 66th season, while actively planning its 67th consecutive one. Board president Jennie Hinterreiter says, “Thank you, Phillips 66, for being our season 66 sponsor! We love bringing Ponca City quality and diverse live theatre and look forward to seeing you!” It is only through partnerships and donors like this that live theatre can continue in Ponca City. One of the Playhouse’s claims to fame is that the live theatrical seasons have been continuous even through war and pandemics. Those who volunteer and work for the community theatre know that the community needs art even, maybe especially, when the times are tough. A look to 2025 is exciting and the work going into the new year is challenging.
As we enter February, the Playhouse is finishing up the production of The Little Prince, which closes with a matinee on Sunday, Feb.2. Prior to the next regular season production of Aaron Posner’s Life Sucks, directed by the extremely talented and popular Emily Rose Parman, which opens March 28 and runs for two weekends, the Playhouse will have a special Valentine’s fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 14. It is the ever-popular Stardust Melodies, which is a concert event that has been held in the past with jazz melodies and yacht rock songs. This February, the musicians will perform a 1950s theme (think about the Under the Sea dance in Back to the Future). There will be desserts, table seating, an available bar and a live band.
The regular season will finish out with Paul Rudnick’s I Hate Hamlet directed by Nathan Oesterle, running May 23 to June 1. You can watch the Ponca Playhouse Facebook page to find out about auditions for this or other productions, and to keep up with how work on productions and other activities is going. It is a great way to keep up with the work occurring at the organization.
Summers tend to vary at the Playhouse, but each year there is an annual membership meeting with an awards event called the Riga-TONYs, with awards for many who worked on various productions throughout the previous season. It is a special and fun event, as well as one providing information for the next year from the board of directors. This summer, plans are just beginning to also have a special production, so that’s just one more reason to keep your eye on the Playhouse Facebook page, so you don’t miss out on any great shows or workshops that come up as the year progresses.
All this fun happening doesn’t come without work. Volunteers are the heart of Ponca Playhouse, and the current board of directors includes president Jennie Hinterreiter, vice president Thomas Rowell, treasurer Todd Stuart, Marlys Cervantes, Brian Hermanson, Kelly Riddle and Dolley Rolland from Ponca City; secretary Meghann Borum from Arkansas City; Tamara Campbell from Marland; and Jake Arington from Blackwell. With that board, you can see why individuals from all around Ponca City area who are active on and behind the stage at the Playhouse. The board is a working board which is active with the business of the theatre.
However, the board members cannot do all the work required. There is ample opportunity for those in the community who want to be part of live theatre — onstage, behind the scenes, or working in other ways such as in the office, writing grants, helping with publicity, social media or fundraising — to join in and become part of the team working to bring live theatre to the community. If you are interested, reach out and let board members know. They are always looking for new people who are interested in becoming involved in the vast jobs required to keep the show going.
Even though the Playhouse building is busy much of the year, the facility is available for rental at times when it isn’t being utilized for productions and other activities. It has been used for birthday parties, small dance or karaoke events, and even the upcoming Purple Affair fundraiser for the Survivor Resource Network. If you are interested in finding out more information about this as a possibility for an event you have coming up, contact board officers through FB Messenger or email at [email protected].
In addition, collaborations are something the Playhouse board hopes to continue. This season they are teaming up with City Arts to have visual art that exemplifies the feel of the current production in the lobby during the run of each show. This has allowed various local artists to exhibit works for theatre patrons to see when they come to see a production. It is a nice way for the Playhouse to promote another type of art and the artists who create the works. “The art and artists’ collaboration has been a fun way to merge and support the arts,” says board member Marlys Cervantes. “We’ve enjoyed working with the artists who’ve been involved so far this season, and I look forward to seeing who we bring in the rest of the shows. Who knows? Maybe we’ll collaborate with music next season.”
Next season will be exciting. It’s in the works now and almost finalized. While it can’t be officially announced yet, it won’t be long. The 67th season will include a classic laugh-out-loud comedy from one of the most well-known comic playwrights of our time, as well as the chance to do two musicals, including a cozy feel-good family show and a blockbuster jukebox musical with numerous hits. The Playhouse believes audiences of all ages will have productions they will enjoy in the upcoming season, and they look forward to being able to announce it as soon as royalties are paid and rights are confirmed.
For me, Ponca Playhouse is the place where I’ve met many of my dearest friends over the last few decades, it’s a place that grounded and gave confidence to our kids and a place where community has come together for a common goal. I love the diversity of people my family now knows, all working together over the years to create good theatre and build strong relationships while doing so. If you find yourself drawn to the community of theatre, join the group at Ponca Playhouse — whether you do so as a volunteer or in the audience. It’s a great place to be!
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