Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park facts for kids

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP) is a theater group in Oklahoma. It started in 1985 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Two people, Kathryn McGill and Jack J. O'Meara, created it. OSP puts on many classic plays. They often perform plays by William Shakespeare. The group is a non-profit organization. This means they use their money to help the group, not to make a profit. In 2007, OSP moved to downtown Oklahoma City.

The Start of Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park

Founding the Festival

OSP began in 1985. Kathryn McGill and Jack J. O'Meara started it. They wanted to create an outdoor summer festival. This festival would feature plays by William Shakespeare. Kathryn McGill grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. She met Jack O'Meara when she visited home. She was studying in New York City at the time.

Both McGill and O'Meara loved Shakespeare. They found a small stage in E.C. Hafer Park. This stage was open for community groups to use. This was the perfect chance to start their festival. They found local actors who were excited to join.

First Performances

In July and August 1985, OSP put on its first plays. They had a small grant of $500. This money came from the Oklahoma Arts Council. They also used some of their own money. Their first shows were Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Each play ran for five weeks. This made a ten-week season. About 6,000 people came to see the shows. The plays were very popular.

Becoming an Official Group

Because the shows were so popular, McGill and O'Meara decided to keep going. They officially formed Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park in 1986. Jack O'Meara became the managing director. Kathryn McGill became the artistic director.

They rented office space in the Edmond Community Center. They also used a room there for winter shows. These winter shows ran for three seasons. However, the space was shared with other events. They had to take down the sets after almost every show. So, they stopped the winter shows for a while. They hoped to find a better place later.

Growing the Summer Shows

The summer plays did very well. In 1988, OSP started putting on three plays instead of two. For a short time in 1989, they tried a rotating repertory. This means they would perform different plays on different nights.

In 1990, they had less money. They went back to performing four plays. They had 59 performances that year. But they still wanted to return to the rotating repertory style. In 1988, they started charging for tickets. Even with tickets, they set a new record. About 12,000 people came to see their three shows.

New Facilities and Support

In 1989, the City of Edmond helped OSP. They created a new performance site. In 1991, the city paid for new restrooms. OSP also built its own stage in 1990. It was a semi-permanent, two-story wooden stage.

By 1991, OSP had grown a lot. Their board had 25 members. They held two fundraising events each year. These events raised about $15,000 to $20,000. The company also received large grants. Companies like Phillips Petroleum and Target Corporation helped them.

Challenges and Relocation

In 2001, OSP's stage was destroyed by fire. The group rebuilt the stage in the same spot. But in 2005, another fire happened. This forced the company to move. They found a temporary home at the University of Central Oklahoma.

In December 2006, OSP announced a big move. They were relocating to downtown Oklahoma City. Their new home would be the Myriad Botanical Gardens Water Stage. From June 14 to September 1, 2007, OSP had its first summer season in downtown Oklahoma City. They performed A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Macbeth.

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is a non-profit organization. A Board of Directors helps run the group.