See You In October as the 2011-2012 Season Opens at the
Poncan Theatre
October,  2011
Newsreel Logo 1
 OUR SEASON SPONSORS 

ConocoPhillips


Eastman National Bank

Evans and Associates


Fred Boettcher Law


Head Country Food Products

Ponca City Energy

Ponca City Publishing Co.

Ponca City Tourism

Quality Water Systems

 
 SEE YOU IN  OCTOBER! 
Oct 1st:  7:30, The Poncan Opry "Fall Bluegrass Show" with special appearance of The Spring Creek Band.

Oct 9th:  From 2:00 to 4:00 Poncan Opry auditions. 
Online audition form.

Oct 13th: 
From 5-7 pm,
Open House in appreciation of Dave May and his family!

Oct 15th:
Time TBD, INsight Paranormal Investigations to conduct training and group investigative activities. 

Oct 20th
: 7:30, Dennis James, renowned organist returns to present "Tumbleweeds"

Oct 21st: 7:30, a special Halloween treat as Dennis James presents Boris Karloff's 1926   "The Bells"      

OCT 22nd: 7:30 Ponca City Concert Series present "The Water Coolers"

Nov 1st: 7:30, John Denver Tribute with Jim Curry

 
Quick Links

Upcoming Performances

About Us and Our History

PURCHASE TICKETS


Contact Us
THE PONCAN THEATRE
104 East Grand Ave.
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601
580.765.0943

Office Hours, M-F from 1-5

Visit our web-site at
The Poncan Theatre


The NEWSREEL has gone GREEN in an effort to save printing and mailing costs.  Please pass along any comments or suggestions to Charles Hall (volunteer) at: [email protected]

Do not overlook the special story from Lori May talking about her experiences as the Director of "Cinderella KIDS"
(see last page) 
 

Dave May
Dave May has recently announced that he is stepping down as Executive Director of the Poncan Theatre effective on October 15, 2011.

 

Greetings!

  

Dave May and his family will be greatly missed by all friends and volunteers at the Poncan Theatre.  During the past five plus years, Dave has been instrumental in many significant accomplishments while at the helm of the theatre.  However, Dave quickly points out that while he won't be at the helm, he will, like many others, be an active volunteer. His family has also been a big part of the Poncan, volunteering their time running the concession stand, cleaning the theatre after performances, helping in the office, and always being on hand when needed.  So to Dave, Lori, Emily, and Dawson, thank you for your unwavering commitment and involvement at the Poncan Theatre.  The untold amount of time and effort you have donated has not gone unnoticed.

To our patrons and the many supporters of the theatre, it is impossible to fully explain the challenges that the theatre has faced to keep the doors open and to continue to serve our community. However, not only has Dave May kept the doors open, he has been responsible for many major accomplishments, that we wanted to share with our readers. 

 

Dave quickly pointed out that many folks were responsible for these accomplishments (to include the all-volunteer Board of Directors, the Poncan Staff and many supporters and volunteers).

 

  • Establishment of the Evans Children's Academy of Performing Arts (thanks to the generous donations from Pat Evans)
  • Developing the format for the very successful and popular Poncan Opry
  • Implementing the Family Summer Film Festival (free movies for the kids during the summer)
  • Continuing the tradition of the major fund raising event "Taste and Tasteless"
  • Facilitating the restoration and display of the world's largest collection of original hand-painted lobby art
  • Utilizing arts and humanities grants to supplement the funds needed to bring entertainment to Ponca City
  • Bringing KLOR, KPNC and Team Radio into the theatre
  • Issuance of the online publications (e.g., The Poncan NEWSREEL)
  • Coordination of funding, repair and maintenance of the facilities (major projects include restoration of brick exterior on entire building, new stage rigging, upgrade of sound system board, upgrade of stage lighting, and new office space.)

A Message from the President of the Board of Directors 

It's a very sad day, and with hesitation that the Poncan Theatre Board of Directors accepted Dave May's resignation. Not only do we lose a genius in the theatre business, we lose a hard working family team that spends every spare minute at the Poncan. Dave, Lori, Emily and Dawson give every ounce of their heart and soul into keeping the Poncan doors open, and to provide a successful season, play, concert, fundraiser, etc.  I look back to where the theatre was 6 years ago, and I'm grateful for the fresh new breath of life Dave put into the Poncan, and the path he has provided us in moving forward.

 

The 2011-2012 Season is scheduled, and all the contracts are signed with sponsors secured, as well as the Evans Children's Academy of Performing Arts and the Poncan Opry. Dave and the office staff worked endless hours to assure the best season yet, and we are excited about this season's line-up. We look forward to seeing all of you that have renewed your season membership, as well as all of the new members. We continue to take renewals and new memberships so give us a call; the girls in the office will sign you up!

 

The board realizes they have big shoes to fill and are working hard to determine the best plan of action in making this a very positive opportunity to re-organize the current structure, change some of the existing procedures, and determine a new business plan assuring the success of our next Executive Director to the Poncan Theatre. I realize that change can be a difficult thing however, we can make this change a very positive and good thing. Dave will be sorely missed, as I'm sure you will agree, however  I would like to say to our members that you are what matter most, and we realize that without our members' support, there would be no Poncan Theatre.

 

In speaking for the Board of Directors, please know that we appreciate all of your support, and it is our intention to keep the doors of the Poncan Theatre open. Although we will miss the May family, we wish them the very best in their future endeavors, and look forward to their continued support as volunteers in the theatre.

 

We hope you will join us at the Poncan Theatre from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  on Thursday, October 13th for an Open House in Appreciation of Dave May and his family.

 

Kind regards,

 

MaryBeth Moore

President, Poncan Theatre Board of Directors

 


September 29th, Thursday, the Season Opens with
"Jazz in the Night" at 7:30 pmJazz in the Night


October 1st, 7:30 pm, the PONCAN OPRY  with The Spring Creek Band for "Fall Bluegrass Show"

Poncan Opry
 
October 20th, 7:30 pm, Dennis James and "Tumbleweeds"
Dennis James and

 

Geneva and Barney Alston,  Long Time Friends of the Poncan

Barney Alston Projectionest

Anyone who ever worked at the Ponca City theatres knew Barney and Geneva Alston. Barney was born in 1900 and started working at the theatre when it opened in 1927. He was the projectionist at the Airline Drive-In until it closed, and many old timers will recall his closing remarks, "that's all folks, be safe driving home". He worked at the Ponca City theatres until he "retired" in 1985, and even after that, he would still get phone calls asking questions about the inner workings of the historic Poncan Theatre. Barney would spend untold hours troubleshooting projection and sound problems that would occur from time to time. Barney died in 1992, but his memory will live on in the theatre because of donations made in his name. 

 

And speaking of Geneva, she continues to this day to support the theatre in many ways. For example, she has been maintaining a Poncan Theatre scrapbook for twenty plus years. If the Poncan is mentioned in the Ponca City News, she promptly snips out the article and in the scrapbook it goes. She has donated many of her old pictures of the theatre and has placed them in the book. At age 86, you'll still see her at almost every performance, and recently she was even seen taking tickets at a performance. She was one of the first "Friends of the Poncan" back when it started in the 1990s and she faithfully stops by the office each month to make her deposit to the Friends of the Poncan fund. Recently a picture of Barney and Geneva was placed in the theatre lobby to honor their service to the theatre.

 

 
'Cinderella'....what a way to go!  by Lori May

As I watched the final production of "Cinderella, Kids" on Sunday, I had tears in my eyes.  I knew it was the last production I would watch as a Director.  My Lori May softexperience with these children has been amazing.  As I watched them rehearse for four weeks, working hard learning their songs, getting excited about their costumes, making new friends, I knew that I, once again, was being blessed by a wonderful group of people, both the kids and their parents.  'Cinderella' was my fourth show to Direct and made the count in the hundreds of the number of children I was able to work with.  In all four shows, it was amazing to watch how these kids could put toCinderella Stagegether a show...so much talent and dedication!  I truly believe that some of them will go on to do amazing things on the stage and I hope that their experience with Evans Children's Academy of Performing Arts will be a foundation that they will look back on with a smile!  Watching the 'Cinderella' productions was magical for me and made some of my 'Dreams Come True'!  I look forward to seeing many more shows from 'Evans...' and being an enthusiastic audience member!!  Break a Leg kids!  Love you, Lori

 

 

Arts and Humanities help support the programs at the Poncan
2012 Grant Funding

 Funding for the Poncan Theatre is provided in part from grants from these organizations. 

 

About Us
The Poncan Theatre is a non-profit organization striving to support the arts in Ponca City and the surrounding area.  Your donations help support the Evans Children's Academy of Performing Arts, the Poncan Opry, the FREE Children's Summer Film Festival, and numerous concerts throughout the year.