Immersive Summer Theatre at Okoboji
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.
To reserve tickets, contact the box office (712-332-7773),
purchase full-price tickets online at https://tinyurl.com/OST-ONLINEticketing or email ticket requests to: [email protected].
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.
Questions? Give us a call! (712) 332-7773
66th Season Sponsor
Additional Season Sponsors
Hy-Vee, Krause Gentle Foundation, KUOO/Y100.1, Northwest Bank, Okoboji Realty, Okoboji Wines, Pearson Art Foundation, Vintage Block Inn & Suites, Wolfe Eye Clinic
Show Sponsors
Anna and Josh Harris and Family, LostSaltShaker/in memory of Dave and Muriel Nelson, Marty Wikert, John and Ramona Nitz, Sue Peterson, Little Swan Lake Winery, Steve Nelson & Belinda Hayden, Kenna Okoboji/EV Smart of Okoboji, Okoboji Summer Theatre Association, Gary and Joleen Koch, Margy J. Wood, Rosemarie and Dennis Ward, John and Joan Benz Foundation, Biz Crane and Tom Hopton, Bob and Lynn Peterson, Signe Kim Lauridsen-Jones
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Emperor's New Clothes | July 3-6 10:30 a.m.
The famous vain Emperor is obsessed with the newest, the fanciest, the most beautiful clothes -- but at what cost to his citizens and reputation? His hardworking maids narrate as the arrogant Emperor is conned by two hucksters into parading through town in his special "birthday suit.
Box Office Overview - Mainstage Shows
Ticket prices for all mainstage performances are $24. Weekly curtain times: Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday (8 p.m.), Saturday (4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.), Sunday (6 p.m.) There will be no productions on Thursday evenings. Box office hours are Monday and Thursday 10-6, Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday 10-8:30, and Sunday 5-7. To reserve tickets, contact the box office (712-332-7773), email ticket requests to: [email protected] or purchase full-price tickets online at https://tinyurl.com/OST-ONLINEticketing.
Special TWO-for-ONE Ticket Discounts: Two patrons admitted for the regular price of one for these performances:
- Seniors, age 65 or older, Saturday matinee (4:30 p.m.) and Sunday evening (6 p.m.)
- All ages, Saturday evening (8 p.m.)
- Active and reserve military, any 8 p.m. performance
Half price Student ticket, ages 13 through college, for Wednesday evening (8 p.m.)
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.
Life at 'Boji
Inviting student cottages surround the volleyball court and new Weaver Commons, bordering the mainstage theatre and rehearsal spaces.
Stephens College students enjoy being the first to live in the village of tiny homes. The first one, known as Thorn Bird, was made possible by a generous patron, Anne Thorne Weaver.
Stephanie Beatriz ’02, joins the cast of “Bye Bye Birdie” as a guest actor at the Okoboji Summer Theatre in 2003.
The beautiful Weaver Commons, named for generous Okoboji Summer Theatre supporter Anne Thorne Weaver, opened in 2019 — a centerpiece of the OST’s transformation into a charming artists’ village.
Founding artistic director and Stephens College professor Bill West with the cast and crew preparing for a production in 1962.
Dedicated to long-time managing director Addison Myers, the lovely gazebo on the OST grounds, sharing “Joy to All Theatrekind.”
Patrons adore the gorgeous flower beds on the Weaver Patio and often come early before each show to relax under our awning and take a few selfies with the flowers.
Weaver Commons features a rehearsal room and a new kitchen and dining area for students, staff and guest artists.
There's plenty of green space across the OST campus, with the red-roofed Boji Bantam Children’s Theatre peeking through in the background.
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.
Okoboji Summer Theatre
Executive Director