Oklahoma Performing Arts

This young man was a storm cloud with legs. His anger was a tempest that brewed within, often erupting without warning. His single mom, looking for a solution, decided to enroll his sister in a dance lesson at Oklahoma Performing Arts. The young man was dragged along as a reluctant chaperone. The first day was a blur. Jake rolled his eyes, his arms crossed defensively. There was something mesmerizing about their synchronized movements, a rhythm and harmony that seemed to pull him in. He soon found himself drawn to the ballet barre. He discovered a strange sense of calm in the controlled chaos of the ballet class. The discipline required was a foreign concept to him, but he found himself craving it. One day, an OPA staff member approached him about becoming a member of Allenato, OPA's all-youth performing arts company. The physical exertion was a release, a way to channel his energy. The mental focus required was a new challenge, one he was determined to conquer. Gradually, Allenato became an outlet, a way to express emotions without words. The discipline it demanded mirrored the discipline he needed in his life. The camaraderie among the other performers was something he had never experienced before. Being part of Allenato is a transformative experience. The rigorous training pushed him to his limits, physically and mentally. But with each challenge, he grew stronger. He learned the importance of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. The stage became a place of empowerment. As he blossomed as a performer, so too did his personal growth. His anger issues began to subside as he found healthier ways to cope with his emotions. The boy who once struggled to control his temper was now a young man with a purpose. Looking back, he realizes that OPA has given him more than just performance skills. It has given him a new perspective on life, a sense of belonging, and a belief in himself. The journey from troubled youth to confident young artist was not easy, but it was undeniably rewarding. And as he stood in the spotlight, surrounded by his fellow performers, he knew that he had found his place in the world. The stage had become his canvas, and performing a language. Through the discipline of the performing arts, he has discovered a strength and resilience he never knew he possessed. And in the heart of Oklahoma, where dreams take flight, a young man had found his passion, his purpose, and a future filled with endless possibilities.

A little girl was a whirlwind of energy trapped in a still body. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts and dreams, but her legs couldn’t keep up. Today was dance class in her Pre-K school, a subject Lily dreaded. She loved music, the rhythm and melody that pulsed through her veins, but the thought of watching her classmates twirl and leap while she sat still filled her with a pang of sadness. She rolled to the lesson as her heart sank. She looked at her Pre-K teacher, her eyes pleading. “Maybe I can just watch today,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her teacher, smiled knowingly. “Of course, We can watch it together.” But the little girl's gaze was drawn to someone in the corner of the room. A woman sat in a wheelchair, her face alight with a passion. The dance teacher was surrounded by the other children. Her eyes widened in disbelief. A dancer in a wheelchair? It was as if a window had opened, revealing a world she never knew existed. A spark of energy and joy ignited within her. The dance teacher rolled over to the little girl, her smile warm and inviting. “Hi, I’m your dance teacher. It’s so nice to meet you.” She extended her hand. “I can dance too?” she asked, her voice filled with hope. The teacher's eyes twinkled. “Of course you can. Let’s show them how it’s done.” As the music swelled and then, something magical happened, she began to dance, too. Her face lit up with joy. It wasn’t about leaps and turns; it was about finding a way to express the music within her soul. At that moment, her Pre-K transformed into a place of boundless possibilities. This little girl in a wheelchair had discovered a new language, a language of movement and expression that spoke to her heart. And in the heart of Oklahoma, where dreams take flight, a young girl found her rhythm and joy. A memory that will grace her for many years to come. Lily was a whirlwind of energy trapped in a still body. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts and dreams, but her legs couldn’t keep up. Spina Bifida had dictated the terms of her life, confining her to a wheelchair. Today was dance class, a subject Lily dreaded. She loved music, the rhythm and melody that pulsed through her veins, but the thought of watching her classmates twirl and leap while she sat still filled her with a pang of sadness. As her teacher wheeled her into the dance studio, Lily’s heart sank. Rows of ballet barres lined the walls, a stark reminder of what she couldn’t do. She looked at her teacher, her eyes pleading. “Maybe I can just watch today,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her teacher, Mrs. Thompson, smiled knowingly. “Of course, Lily. We can watch together.” But just as Mrs. Thompson was about to turn away, Lily’s gaze was drawn to someone in the corner of the room. A woman sat in a wheelchair, her face alight with a passion that mirrored Lily’s love for music. She was surrounded by children, all moving to the enchanting melody that filled the air. Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief. A dancer in a wheelchair? It was as if a window had opened, revealing a world she never knew existed. A spark ignited within her. The woman rolled over to Lily, her smile warm and inviting. “Hi, I’m Anya. It’s so nice to meet you.” She extended her hand, and Lily's small fingers wrapped around hers. “I can dance too?” Lily asked, her voice filled with hope. Anya's eyes twinkled. “Of course you can, Lily. Let’s show them how it’s done.” As the music swelled, Anya began to move, her wheelchair gliding effortlessly across the floor. Her body, though confined, expressed a freedom of spirit that captivated Lily. And then, something magical happened. Lily, inspired by Anya’s grace, began to move too. Her arms danced to the rhythm, her face lit up with joy. It wasn’t about leaps and turns; it was about finding a way to express the music within her soul. In that moment, the dance studio transformed into a place of boundless possibilities. Lily, the little girl confined to a wheelchair, had discovered a new language, a language of movement and expression that spoke to her heart. And in the heart of Oklahoma, where dreams take flight, a young girl found her rhythm, her voice, and her place in the world.