How Sooner Theatre’s Annual Event Supports the Arts
The Sooner Theatre’s upcoming adults-only annual Murder Mystery Production, The Mile DIE Club (Est. 1979), promises an evening of hilarious entertainment along with a delectable dinner provided by Benvenuti’s Ristorante and a cash bar.
The community-based fundraiser’s script is always written by a community member and is performed by community members as well.
“The entire thing is always about the community giving back to Sooner Theatre, and it’s incredible,” shared Nancy Coggins, Sooner Theatre’s PR & development director.
The upcoming musical murder mystery dinner event is written by local resident James Briggs. Briggs works for the City of Norman in the Parks & Recreation Department and is an incredible advocate for the Sooner Theatre and in their partnership with the city. Briggs has written and directed many murder mystery productions for the theatre over the past 15 years.
This year’s production features his idea of the “golden age of both travel and music” aboard an airline in the quintessential 1970s. When a member of the flight crew is murdered, attendees will find themselves hilariously entertained and searching for clues.
The dinner and show will have mini-intermissions where audience members can “bribe,” or donate money to, cast members to get clues to solve the mystery. The higher the donations, the better the clues that are provided.
“It’s a really fun event and it’s hilarious in the best way. We had to add a night this year because we sold out so quickly last year,” shared Coggins.
The Mile Die Club will take place over four nights, Feb. 12-15. Tickets are $125 per person or tables for 10 can be purchased for $1250. Sponsorships are still available as well.
“We love our community theatre productions because they involve members of our community, so it’s fun to see an attorney or a local doctor or a teacher or somebody from the community up on the stage showing some of their talent that you would never have expected,” Coggins said. “We are a place where they can explore their creative side, and we love that we can entertain audiences in Norman. It’s an honor for us.”
The mission of the Sooner Theatre is to change lives, offer diverse perspectives, and create a cultural connection to the community through performing arts and arts education.
As a non-profit organization, the Sooner Theatre holds the murder mystery event yearly to raise funds for a variety of needs, including operation costs and upgrades. The majority of the proceeds focus on aiding their education programs and productions.
Performing arts classes, camps and productions all benefit from community members’ donations. The theatre produces about nine productions a year. Two of those are regular community theatre productions where anyone can audition. Seven are youth productions and are cast with students from the Studio of the Sooner Theatre.
The theatre’s education program has grown to become a year-round program with more than 55 different performing arts classes and camps and about 1300 enrolled students.
“We do not ever turn away a child because their family has an inability to afford tuition. Last year we gave about $61,000 in scholarships to 231 kiddos.” said Coggins.
The Studio of the Sooner Theatre offers classes for ages 3 to 18 in acting, musical theatre, magic, production and dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap. Classes for students with special needs are available as well.
“Theatre is one of those team sports. It takes a team attitude, and it gives our kids some vital skills that they can use in whatever career or passion they pursue,” Coggins said. “Some of the best athletes have some theatre background and it gives you great interview skills.
“It allows our kids to understand creative and critical thinking skills, because very often, your stage partner will forget their lines and you have to figure out how to navigate that with a lot of people looking at you. These are skills that the theatre provides that will stay with students whatever path their life takes.”
The Sooner Theatre works with the City of Norman to update their historic 1929 building where productions come to life. Steps have been taken over the years to make the audience’s viewing experiences ADA accessible, without disturbing the historic character of the building. Upcoming goals include making the entire theatre accessible. They are currently working on finding solutions that allow Studio students who are wheelchair-bound access to the stage and dressing rooms.
“We will be looking for our next batch of community theatre auditioners in August so get ready and warm up!” Coggins invited. “I’m always shocked at the level of talent that comes in. We try to bring in a professional actor to work alongside community volunteers at times and they get just as much out of it. It brings back some of the why and joy.”
Tickets for the murder mystery dinner and show can be purchased online at https://cur8.com/17260/project/127413.
To learn more about the upcoming shows and classes at the Sooner Theatre, visit soonertheatre.org
By Rae Lynn Payton
