Ozark Actors Theatre Announces 25th Anniversary Season

Ozark Actors Theatre has announced its 2012 Summer Season, to be performed June through September, 2012, at the Cedar Street Playhouse, 701 North Cedar, Rolla, MO  65401.

Ozark Actors Theatre's 25th Anniversary season will open with the family favorite THE WIZZARD OF OZ, a musical never before seen on the Ozark Actors Theatre mainstage. The side-splitting farce NOISES OFF, also new to the Ozark Actors Theatre stage, will be the second show. The professional season will close with THE DEVINERS, a deeply moving drama that Ozark Actors Theatre last presented in their very first season back in 1988.

While the professional season closes with THE DEVINERS, Ozark Actors Theatre is extending its summer season to include its first annual OAT Jr. production, LES MISERABLES (school edition). The world-wide smash musical will be performed entirely by students from the region 18 years and younger. 

Producing Artistic Director Jason Cannon says of the season, "We are so excited to present these shows. The audience response to our 2011 season - which also combined comedy, musical, and drama - was so encouraging. OZ is a prennial favorite, NOISES OFF has often and rightly been called the funniest play ever written, and THE DIVINERS is a lovely play that is our way of acknowledging the incredible vision and passion of Ozark Actors Theatre's founders. THE DIVINERS was one of the first plays Ozark Actors Theatre ever presented, in their first season, and now a quarter century later as a Silver Anniversary tribute we thought it only fitting to present it again." 

When asked about the new OAT Jr. program, Cannon said, "OAT Jr. is our expanded education program, that includes our annual drama camps and now this annual OAT Jr. production. By mounting a fully realized production, featuring a cast made up entirely of students 18 years and younger, we can provide a practical and immersive experience that lets these young actors tackle incredible roles on the Ozark Actors Theatre mainstage." Audtions will be held in February.

Ozark Actors Theatre is one of only two professional theatres in out-state Missouri, and operates under a contract with Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage manager in the United States. Now in its 25th season, Ozark Actors Theatre has a long history of presenting outstanding live theatre to south central Missouri.

Ozark Actors Theatre is also presenting COMEDY CARAVAN on Sept. 3 and offering AUDITIONING 101 through their adult education program OAT U. More information about all these programs can be found at www.ozarkactorstheatre.org.