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LOOK Musical Theatre (LOOK) announces a partnership with �鶹��Ƶ. The collaborative partnership will benefit the community as a whole and will promote �鶹��Ƶ and LOOK’s shared goal of supporting new ways of learning about the performing arts, enhancing students’ overall learning experience and bringing the community together through live performance.

LOOK completed its 30th season in August with promises of reinventing the organization and addressing long-term financial stability. The LOOK Board sees the collaborative partnership as a way to strengthen their educational initiatives, specifically capitalizing on the successful Apprenticeship Program founded nine years ago. The program gives practical, hands-on learning experience to performing arts students from academic institutions throughout the state and the Midwest region.

“As the curtain closed on LOOK’s first thirty years this past summer, the board recognized that it was time to implement change. The past few months have been a kind of intermission, during which we considered ways LOOK can play an even more influential part in Tulsa’s flourishing arts community,” said LOOK’s Board President Susan Carle Young. “We are excited about partnering with the leaders, faculty and students of �鶹��Ƶ, as we raise the curtain on Act Two and joyfully continue fulfilling our mission of bringing quality musical theatre to Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma.”

The collaborative partnership gives �鶹��Ƶ students in performing arts and stage production the chance to work side-by-side and receive hands-on experience working with a professional theatre company. Currently, �鶹��Ƶ music students have the opportunity to work with professional musicians through the Signature Symphony at �鶹��Ƶ, and this new partnership with LOOK will provide similar opportunities. In addition, �鶹��Ƶ and LOOK’s partnership enhances the performing arts at �鶹��Ƶ and extends educational outreach opportunities to the students and audiences.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students, and the partnership aligns directly with our core values by providing opportunities for student success through this innovative approach to learning,” said Kelly Clark, Dean of Performing Arts Division and Director of �鶹��Ƶ’s VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education (PACE). “No other community college in the country can claim to have both a professional orchestra and professional theatre company and this high caliber of experience is something that sets �鶹��Ƶ students on the path for success.”

Starting in the summer of 2014, LOOK’s productions will be staged at the VanTrease PACE located on �鶹��Ƶ’s Southeast Campus. Additional changes will be implemented over the next two years to create the collaborative partnership which will include moving the base of operations to �鶹��Ƶ Southeast Campus for LOOK Musical Theatre as well as shared professional expertise. However, LOOK’s operating expenses will continue to be funded through LOOK’s earned and contributed resources.

PHOTO: LOOK’s summer 2013 performance of "The Drowsy Chaperone." Photo by John Howard.

PHOTO: �鶹��Ƶ Southeast Campus VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education (PACE)