Tulsa Performing Arts Center Unveils New Season of Imagination Series with Cultural Gems

The Tulsa Performing Arts Center is welcoming another season of the Imagination Series, a lineup of professional performances designed to be both educational and entertaining for children and families. The series blends traditional storytelling stage shows with learning opportunities.

Each performance runs about an hour, making them ideal for school field trips during the day and for families to enjoy together in the evening. The goal is to introduce young audiences to live theater in a way that sparks curiosity, creativity and conversation long after the curtain falls.

“Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure”

The season opens Oct. 21–22 with “Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure.” Recommended for children ages 4 to 12, the bilingual production celebrates the Mexican tradition of sugar skulls. The show tells the story of Vita Flores, a 12-year-old girl who is introduced to the colorful world of Día de Muertos through music and dance. The touring musical features traditional regional songs from Mexico and blends Spanish and English dialogue, making it accessible for a wide range of audiences.

“Channeling Our Ancestors”

Following that, the PAC will host “Channeling Our Ancestors” from Nov. 4–7. Aimed at middle schoolers, especially those ages 12 to 14, the show was written by Native artists in Oklahoma and focuses on themes of identity, cultural appropriation and the importance of heritage.

Becca Worthington, director and co-writer of the play, said the production gives young people the opportunity to connect with Native history while also exploring what it means to be Indigenous today.

“In Oklahoma, it’s crazy to me that a lot of these kids are unaware of the land we stand on,” Worthington said. “We want to make sure kids growing up in Oklahoma understand the history and see that Native people are still here and thriving.”

“Channeling Our Ancestors” gives young people the opportunity to connect with Native history while also exploring what it means to be Indigenous today. Photo by Andrew Nichols

The Foundation for Tulsa Schools funds tickets so every seventh grader in Tulsa Public Schools can attend “Channeling Our Ancestors” at no cost. This year, extra seats will be offered to sixth through eighth graders for $6 each. Families may also purchase tickets to the public performances for $10.

Worthington said the show encourages both “learning and unlearning” as it examines well-known historical narratives. “There’s a lot of history in our show that is important,” she said. “We’ll talk about Christopher Columbus and how he affected Native populations … Pocahontas and how she wasn’t really in love with John Smith.”

Presented as a series of comedic sketches inspired by popular television formats, “Channeling Our Ancestors” also includes an interactive game show segment called “Are You an Indi-genius?” Students and teachers are invited on stage to answer questions, which are provided in advance through a study guide.

Worthington co-wrote the production with her cousin, Jason Tillery, along with other Native writers, and said the chance to create the show with fellow Native artists was “a big gift.” The cast is also mainly Osage. She hopes the PAC’s support will inspire more Native stories to be represented in live theater.

“I would love the Native community to come out and see what we’ve done,” she said. “We have a booming Native film industry in Oklahoma, but in music and theater there is still a lack of representation. My personal goal is to invite more Native voices onto the stage.”

Classics for Younger Audiences

The season will conclude in early 2026 with two classics for younger audiences. “The Wind in the Willows” will be performed Jan. 27, followed by “Aesop’s Greatest Hits” from Feb. 23–27.

Each performance in the Imagination Series is designed to meet Common Core Standards and National Core Arts Standards, ensuring that the experience supports what students are learning in school.

Tickets are available online at tulsapac.com/imagination-series or by calling 918.596.7111.

Lindsay Morris is a native Tulsan, mom, writer and full-time marketing/communications professional. She is the founder of Tulsa Places, where she highlights local businesses and fun things to do.