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PAC's Orbit Initiative Seeks to Bring Performing Arts to All of Tulsa

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

Theater by, of and for the people — that’s the aim of the Orbit Initiative, a new program with the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

PAC Director Mark Frie said the Orbit Initiative will teach things like music, acting and technical theater skills to anyone who wants to learn.

"We are partnering with five different locations across the city to bring the arts to communities that otherwise may not have access to the arts. These programs will be free to anyone and everyone," Frie said.

The partners are the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Reed Park Community Center, Hicks Park Community Center, Greenwood Cultural Center and Ellen Ochoa Elementary.

It will all culminate in a community performance of Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" next June in the Chapman Music Hall, with Orbit participants making up the ensemble.

"I think it’ll be a great experience not only for the community who have never been on stage, but I think it’s a great experience for the actors to get to work and not only showcase their talents but help bring other talents out in other people," Frie said.

The program ties into Resilient Tulsa goals of tackling discrimination and inequality by making sure "every kid in our community has an equal shot at the transformational impact that the performing arts can make in their lives," said Mayor G.T. Bynum.

The Orbit Initiative is modeled after and affiliated with the Public Theater of New York’s Public Works program.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.