A summer stock theatre company in beautiful Spirit Lake, Iowa, the Okoboji Summer Theatre Company provides great theatre to loyal patrons and immersive internships to undergraduate theatre students.



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. The 2024 season runs from June 25-August 11.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS for the 2024 season 

Assistant Chef

Boji Bantam Actor

Box Office Manager

Box Office Assistant/Public Relations Manager

Costume Designer

Lighting Designer

Lighting Supervisor/Facility Manager

Musical Director

Musicians (Pit musicians)

Performance (Acting) Fellow

Production Stage Manager

Props Supervisor

Scene Shop Carpenter

Scenic Designer

Sound Designer

How to Apply

Applicants for staff positions will need to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references. For performance-related positions (acting) please submit examples of recent projects along with a resume.

Send materials and any questions to: [email protected].

5 Reasons Summer Stock Rocks

 

OST has been a proud member of the Okoboji community since 1958. (photo from summer of 1965)

Owned and operated by Stephens College, the Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) company has presented more than 550 productions to an audience of 1.5 million over 60+ seasons.

A thousand 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, Stephens College 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.

 

 

Season 66: June 25-Aug. 11, 2024


Leader of the Pack : The Ellie Greenwich Musical |  June 25-30
Music and lyrics by Ellie Greenwich and friends, Liner notes by Anne Beatts, Additional material by Jack Heifner; Based on the original concept by Melanie Mintz.

This hit Tony-award winning musical retrospective celebrates the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. The story of her rise to fame and fortune is punctuated with the virtual hit parade of her music: “Chapel of Love,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,”  “Hanky Panky,” and of course, the title song “Leader of the Pack.” 

 

Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery  |  July 2-7

Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny fast-paced adventure about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than 40 characters.

 

Freaky Friday |  July 9-14
Book by Bridget Carpenter, Music by Tom Kitt, Lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Based on the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers and the Disney films. 

Based on the beloved novel and hit Disney films, Freaky Friday is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. The day before her wedding a mother accidentally switches bodies with her high-school daughter.  They both say “I’ve got this”, but can they really live each other’s lives? By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.

 

The Mousetrap  |  July 16-21
By Agatha Christie

From the Grand Dame of mystery, The Mousetrap is the world’s longest running production, mesmerizing audiences for more than 60 years. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a stately countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst!  The Mousetrap’s riveting plot will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!  Join us to learn WHODUNNIT. 

 

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra  |  July 23-28
Created by David Grapes and Todd Olson; Book by Todd Olson, Original Production directed by David Grapes.

Featuring dozens of incredible songs from the Great American Songbook and easy-going comedy, My Way celebrates the mystique and music of one of music’s most iconic singers. 

 

Barefoot in the Park |  July 30-August 4
By Neil Simon

This classic Neil Simon comedy follows newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter as they navigate life, love and wedded bliss in New York City. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s mother and decide to play matchmaker during dinner with their neighbor…where everything that can go wrong, does. 

 

The Music Man  |  August 6-11
Book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson; Story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey. 

Closing out the season with one of the most cherished treasures of the American musical theatre. By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is family entertainment at its best. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation.

The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall.  

 

 

Boji Bantam Children’s Theatre

Information coming soon!

 


Box Office Overview - Mainstage Shows

Ticket prices for all mainstage performances are $24 per patron. Weekly curtain times: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and-Saturday at 8 p.m. and 4:30 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 17, email ticket requests to: [email protected] or purchase full-price tickets online at Eventbrite.com around February 14.  Beginning June 19, the Box Office window and phone lines will be open for ticketing purchases. Hours may vary. Follow up on Facebook and Instagram for updates. 

The Okoboji Summer Theatre Association offers discount ticket books for $150. For information about ordering (paid by Venmo or check), email [email protected]. Books can be purchased in person with cash or checks at the Pearson Lakes Art Center (Okoboji), Northwest Bank locations (Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park, Milford, Spencer), Liberty National Bank (Okoboji), Arts on Grand (Spencer). For questions, please email: [email protected].

Owned and operated by Stephens College, the Okoboji Summer Theatre has been a proud member of the Spirit Lake community since 1958. The College prepares students to become leaders and innovators in a rapidly changing world. With a focus on experiential learning, performing and networking, the Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College prepares performers and creatives to succeed in the highly competitive world of theatre, television and film. www.stephens.edu/conservatory

 

Special Ticket Discounts:

  • Two students, ages 13+ (including college students), will be admitted for the regular price of one on Wednesday evenings.
  • Two senior citizens, age 65 or older, will be admitted for the regular price of one on Saturday matinees (4:30 p.m.) and Sunday evenings (6 p.m.)
  • All Saturday evening (8 p.m.) performances are available at the two-for-one ticket price for all ages
  • All active and reserve military may purchase two-for-one tickets for any 8 p.m. performance

 

For our students

Experience a true company environment through this living and learning internship.

Okoboji Summer Theatre Company is a summer stock theatre company. The exhilarating schedule is designed to help students in Musical Theatre, Acting, Technical Theatre, Interdisciplinary Theater Studies and Costume Design improve in all aspects of their technical 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.

 

 

 

For donors and supporters

Each year ticket sales support annual projects, such as installation of new sound equipment; sidewalk improvements; roof, road and infrastructure repairs; and continued maintenance of our beautiful gardens and grounds.

If you would like to make a gift to OST, you may give by mail at OST Fund, 1200 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215, or by clicking the button below.

Contact Us

Okoboji Summer Theatre

Ruth Ann Burke,
Executive Director
(573) 876-7199, Ext. 4199 [email protected] 2001 US Highway 71, Okoboji, Iowa

Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Kristy Simpson,
Program/Admissions Navigator

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