Lyric Grant To Bring Theatre To Rural Oklahoma Schools

By: May. 02, 2018
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Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation and its Community Grant program. The grant will be used to assist funding the organization's Musical Interactive program, which will allow Lyric to increase services to students in rural Oklahoma.

Lyric's Musical Interactive program brings the magic of musical theatre performance to students across the state of Oklahoma. Underwritten solely by corporate and foundation support, Lyric is able to provide the program free of charge to interested schools and just completed its 11th year of original performances. The touring musical production features an original script with select songs from a classic Broadway musical. As told through songs and stories, a traveling troupe of professional performers educates students about the history of the musical and its creators, providing information about notable events and figures of the time. A take-home study guide distributed to teachers and students includes a more in-depth history of the musical, along with puzzles, activities and class discussion topics.

In 2017, more than 53,000 students from 134 schools across Oklahoma participated in the program, attending 1776 Interactive in the spring semester and Call Me Madam Interactive in the fall.

"We're so appreciative of organizations like the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation who value the importance of arts in education," said Michael Baron, Lyric's producing artistic director. "In many cases, the Musical Interactive program is the first introduction of live theatre to young students, and we're excited to share our love of the arts with all Oklahomans."

For the 2018-19 school year, Lyric plans to revive one of its most popular programs, Oklahoma! Interactive. In 1943, Oklahoma! opened on Broadway, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization is celebrating the 75th anniversary of that debut with special events throughout the year. Musical Interactive is proud to be a part of the festivities. Oklahoma! Interactive tells the story of the journey towards statehood through songs and characters from the classic stage musical, Oklahoma! Students will interact with characters such as Curly, Will Parker and Aunt Eller. Students will learn about the history of the musical Oklahoma!, the life of the musical writers, and the relevance behind the songs performed, which include "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'," "Kansas City" and "Oklahoma!"

Funding from the foundation will assist with appearances in rural schools throughout 20 southeastern and southwestern Oklahoma counties, including district visits in far outlying counties of McCurtain, LeFlore, Harmon and Jackson. For more information about the Musical Interactive program or to sign up, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org/arts-outreach/ or call (405) 524-9310.

About the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation

The Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation was founded by the late Carolyn Watson, CEO and chairman of Shamrock Bank, N.A., in 1995 to improve the quality of life in rural Oklahoma communities. Through its two grant programs, the organization promotes education, health, literacy and arts and the humanities in 20 Oklahoma counties. Since its inception, the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to schools, teachers and communities in rural Oklahoma. Additionally, the Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship offers awards of up to $10,000 per academic year for high school seniors graduating from 62 rural Oklahoma counties to attend college. For more information, please visit www.ruraloklahoma.org.

About Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

Founded in 1963, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is the state's leading professional theatre company. Lyric produces classic and contemporary musicals, new works, and plays featuring artists from Oklahoma and around the nation. Shows are presented at two Oklahoma City venues - the intimate Plaza Theatre and in the summer at the grand Civic Center Music Hall. Lyric's Thelma Gaylord Academy is the premier professional theatre training ground, offering classes in all aspects of the performing arts. Lyric is a nonprofit member theatre of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Allied Arts. For more information, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org.

 

 


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