Since 1969
Your Unified Network for Community Theatres

Our Mission

To Promote Excellence in Community Theatre

OCTA strives to unite and support all community theatres, organizations and participants, in Oklahoma; and to further connect them with other community theatres in the region and nation.  We foster communication and dissemination of ideas among OCTA members and other theatre participants in Oklahoma.  OCTA celebrates and promotes the achievements of community theatre and encourages high standards of excellence in community theatre production and management. 

OCTA was the first statewide association of community theatres to be incorporated in the United States (1970). OCTA was founded with assistance from 14 theatre groups (13 of which are still actively producing plays each season). Founding theatres were located in Ardmore, Bartlesville, Claremore, Clinton, Duncan, Elk City, Enid, Lawton, Miami, Oklahoma City, Ponca City, Stillwater, Tahlequah, Tulsa, and Woodward. Founding individuals involved in establishing the organization were Bill Crawford (Lawton), Jeanne Adams Wray (Stillwater), Curt Schwartz (Oklahoma City), and Lil Williams (Ardmore).

OCTA is governed by an elected Board of Directors and an appointed Advisory Council. The OCTA Executive Committee has been the ‘acting’ Executive Director since 2006.

In its role of supporting theatre arts at the state, regional and national levels, O.C.T.A. is an active member of the American Association of Community Theatres.

OCTA was the 2014 Recipient Special Recognition Governor’s Arts Award AND the 2015 National Distinguished Merit Award by AACT.

Board of Directors

OCTA is governed by an elected Board of Directors and an appointed Advisory Council.

Awards and Honors

The Mission of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association is to promote Excellence in Community Theatre.  To accomplish this, it takes the support of all Oklahoma community theatre and their volunteers.  It takes many people and many man-hours of working people who have a vision and community purpose to achieve this.  To celebrate and encourage the high standard of excellence in community theatre production and management, OCTA proudly honors those who have been nominated and selected through the OCTA Awards Program.

OCTAFest 2016

2023 Conference and Awards