Built in 1970 by renowned architect John Johansen, the building at W. Sheridan and S. Hudson avenues has been empty since it sustained significant flooding damage in 2010. Afterward, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City transferred ownership of it to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Groups such as the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American […]
Stage Center
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What’s this about a children’s museum?
In response to a recent Oklahoma Gazette commentary by Tracey Zeeck (“OKC needs a children’s museum,” March 28), I have to remind Oklahoma City that we already have a children’s museum: Science Museum Oklahoma. To pretend OKC doesn’t have a children’s museum and then demand another one for the downtown area is ridiculous. Zeeck implies […]
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OKC needs a children’s museum
Most agree that this solution to save the historic building would be welcomed. One unexpected question we keep hearing from those not part of the parent pack was: What the heck is a children’s museum? That’s simple. A children’s museum is a place dedicated to a unique indulgence: a playground for kids, age 0 to […]
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Next Stage
What perhaps doesn’t appeal to some sensibilities, however, might attract an entirely different audience: children. Tracey Zeeck, an Oklahoma City public relations professional, said she and others have banded together in an attempt to repurpose the building, located at 400 W. Sheridan, as a children’s museum. Designed by John Johansen, Stage Center opened in 1970 […]
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Save the stage
Interviews with several theatrical professionals and academics reveal that its unique and artistically exceptional performance spaces — the 210-seat, in-the-round Arena Theatre and the 580-seat Mary Noble Tolbert Theatre — will be a major loss if razed or altered for other uses. “The building itself is an architectural marvel that encourages people to dream boldly […]
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Max on Mummers, mack
Then they got this idea to build this Stage Center structure with the theater in it. Away from the fact that it was uneconomical to operate, the reality is that it was designed for a type of theater that basically isn’t executed anymore. What’s happened is the same problem we had with Rupel J. Jones […]
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Carpenter union
The “devastating” flood not only took out CST’s office, but also its stock of furniture, props and costumes. “It was shocking to see furniture and appliances floating in 3 feet of water, sometimes a hundred feet away from where it had been sitting before,” said Rhonda Clark, artistic director. She knew then that if Stage […]
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Counterpoint: Investing wisely
Especially in these challenging economic times, we must be even more focused on being good stewards of our resources and frugal in our planning. We are now trying to decide what would be the best way forward for Stage Center. Once again damaged by flooding and by subsequent deterioration, this aging facility is in need […]
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Point: ‘An Oklahoma City landmark’
In 1989, it figured as the counterpoint to the Myriad Gardens, setting the anchor for our burgeoning Arts District, and today it still figures as part of that Arts District in Oklahoma City’s Core to Shore plan. In 1990, its colors were faded, ivy was growing on its concrete walls and it again faced demolition. […]
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Final Stage?
A consortium — the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the Oklahoma City Cultural Development Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council and Devon Energy — commissioned a study earlier this year to assess Stage Center’s future prospects. The Stage Center site sits in the long shadow of the under-construction Devon tower. In the 33-page final report obtained by […]