Immersive Summer Theatre at Okoboji
A summer stock theatre company in beautiful Spirit Lake, Iowa, the Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) Company provides great theatre to loyal patrons and immersive internships to undergraduate theatre students.
Tickets will be available soon on Eventbrite.com and the OST Box Office will be open to the public on Monday, June 15. To reserve season, group or discounted tickets, email us at boxoffice@okobojisummertheatre.org or call (712) 332-7773.
Season 68: June 23 – August 9
Ring of Fire
June 23 – 28
The Musical of Johnny Cash. Created by Richard Maltby, Jr., Conceived by William Meade; Orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby
From Johnny Cash’s iconic songbook comes a unique musical journey through love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of home and family. Told through dozens of his greatest hits including “I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues, and the title song, Ring of Fire is a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to the musical legend.
Murder on the Links
June 30 – July 5
By Steven Dietz
A comic mystery for the stage! Something’s afoul on the private golf course at Merlinville-Sur-Mer, namely the body of Hercule Poirot’s newest client! Acclaimed playwright Steven Dietz brings the famed Belgian detective to life to solve one of Agatha Christie’s most intricate whodunits with the host of usual and unusual suspects. A cast of six versatile actors embody myriad characters as they navigate the twists and turns of this lively and fun new adaptation.
Sister Act
July 7 – 12
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater; Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner.
Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The Cottage
July 14 – 19
By Sandy Rustin
Romance, betrayal, and big laughs collide in THE COTTAGE! Set in the English countryside, this witty comedy of manners will keep you guessing with every twist and turn. Nothing, and no one, is quite what they seem… and the tangled web of love affairs will have you laughing out loud as the secrets unravel in this ridiculously funny romantic comedy.
Never Can Say Goodbye:
The 70s Beehive Musical
July 21 – 26
By Fred Stuart
Following the much-loved 60s musical of the same name, Beehive: The 70s Musical is a rousing sequel that features nonstop 70s hits by the decade’s biggest stars. Full of unforgettable tunes by Linda Ronstadt, Heart, Gloria Gaynor, and more, travel back in time with this troupe of dynamite entertainers as they celebrate the movement and the music of the 1970s!
Our Town
July 28 – August 2
By Thornton Wilder
Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die.
9 to 5
August 4 – 9
Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia Resnick
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture; originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt
Based on the 1980 hit movie, 9 to 5 sets to music the hilarious and outrageous story of friendship and revenge in the 1970s Rolodex era. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
Boji Bantam Children’s Theatre
The Commedia Princess and the Pea
July 1 – 4
By Lane Riosley and Rebecca L. Byars
Arlequin is afraid he’ll be stuck playing the role of the pea, but he ends up getting to play the prince. The troupe romps through a series of hilarious princess tests with great slapstick humor!
Bantam Musical Theatre Workshop
July 6 – 11
This 5-day intensive on the grounds of the Okoboji Summer Theatre includes daily classes focused on acting, voice work, and movement, culminating in a showcase which the students will perform.
Classes meet daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with a showcase Saturday, July 11. Taught by Okoboji Summer Theatre Guest Artists and Staff, this rigorous program is designed to enhance each student’s skills and allow them to learn about musical theater basics from working professionals in a collaborative, supportive and inspiring environment. Recommended ages 8+
Supporting OST
Every summer the OST Company welcomes professional guest artists, designers, directors and staff to produce an unforgettable season of musicals and plays in the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes community in Okoboji, Iowa. To learn about sponsorship opportunities or to make a gift, email rburke@stephens.edu.
2026 Annual Gala
The third annual Gala to support Okoboji Summer Theatre will be Thursday, June 25. Tickets available at Eventbrite.com in early February.
Ticket Overview
OST Box Office Opens June 15
Ticket prices for all mainstage performances are $26 per patron. Tickets will be available soon on Eventbrite.com and the OST Box Office will be open to the public on Monday, June 15.
Mainstage weekly curtain times: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be no productions on Thursday evenings.
Two-for-one performances: Saturday evening (8 p.m.) (All Ages) and Saturday (4:30) and Sunday (6 p.m.) for senior citizens, ages 65 and older. To reserve tickets before the box office opens June 16, email ticket requests to: boxoffice@okobojisummertheatre.org or purchase full-price tickets online at Eventbrite.com around February 14. The Box Office window and phone lines will be open June 15 for ticketing purchases. Hours may vary. Follow up on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
The Okoboji Summer Theatre Association offers discount ticket books for $160. Books can be ordered by emailing ostavoucherbooklet@gmail.com or purchased at the Pearson Lakes Art Center (Okoboji), Northwest Bank locations (Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park, Milford), Liberty National Bank (Okoboji), and Arts on Grand (Spencer). Cash or check only. Cash or check only. For questions, please email: ostassociation@gmail.com.
Spend your summer at the Okoboji Summer Theatre!
Every summer the OST Company welcomes professional guest artists, designers, directors and staff to produce an unforgettable season of musicals and plays in the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes community in Okoboji, Iowa.
For Our Students
Okoboji Summer Theatre Company is a summer stock theatre company owned and operated by Stephens College. The robust schedule is designed to help students in Musical Theatre, Acting, Technical Theatre & Stage Management, Theatrical Costume Design, and Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies improve in all aspects of their training, while being immersed in a living and learning environment. Students work side-by-side with nationally recognized guest artists, faculty and mentors.
In addition, students learn the inner workings of running a theater company, including box office and marketing.
5 Reasons Summer Stock Rocks
Owned and operated by Stephens College, the Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) company has been a proud member of the Iowa Great Lakes community since 1958. OST has presented more than 550 productions to an audience of 1.5 million over 60+ seasons.
Thousands of young actors, 500+ professional faculty, and 2000+ guest artists have dedicated every waking moment to pulling off each production, accounting for over 40,000 exhausting — but rewarding — hours of rehearsals.
At OST, Conservatory for the Performing Arts students work alongside these professionals and guest artists from across the country to produce multiple mainstage productions which include musicals, comedies, and dramas. This extensive schedule provides significant and diverse performance and backstage opportunities.
Behind the Scenes of OST
Guest Artist Tiny Homes
Contact Us
Okoboji Summer Theater
Ruth Ann Burke, Executive Director
(712) 332-7773
Contact Stephens College2001 US Highway 71, Okoboji, Iowa