Leaving a Legacy: Paula Stover Retires from Lyric Theatre

Paula Stover, an arts pioneer instrumental in the revitalization of Oklahoma City's Plaza District, will retire from Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma as its managing director this month after more than 40 years with the arts organization. During Stover's tenure, she helped grow Lyric into one of the nation's premier regional theatres.

Stover was honored Friday evening during an intimate concert at the Plaza Theatre, where dozens of Lyric's favorite performers - both past and present - came to honor her through song. At the close of the concert, Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron unveiled a sign naming the Plaza Theatre stage after Stover.

"Paula is a groundbreaking national arts leader who has given thousands of artists the opportunity to create theatre at the highest level," Baron said. "I am thankful for her friendship, vision and passion for the Oklahoma arts community. She is an inspiration and has kept Lyric Theatre healthy, vibrant and growing, leaving a significant lasting impression on its future."

Stover joined Lyric Theatre in the 1970s, volunteering to help sell season ticket subscriptions. Over the course of the next four decades, she served in a variety of positions from board president and marketing director to her current role as managing director.

In June, Stover was honored as the recipient of the 2016 Urban Pioneer Award by the 16th Street Plaza District Association. The award is presented annually to a community member who exemplifies Oklahoma's pioneering spirit with their leadership and commitment to urban revitalization. Nearly two decades ago, at the urging of Lyric board member Lou Kerr, Stover and staff toured the vacant and neglected Plaza Theatre on NW 16 - the state's first air-conditioned movie theater from the 1930s. Under Stover's leadership, $10 million was raised to renovate the space and the ThElma Gaylord Academy, and Lyric found its permanent home in the Plaza District in 2000. The arts organization, once known for summertime productions only at the Civic Center Music Hall, now had a venue to produce year-round shows. The first production in Lyric's own Plaza Theatre occurred just seven years later.

Board member and long-time friend, Robin Lister, said Stover is synonymous with Lyric Theatre.

"I don't believe that Paula ever thought of this as just a profession or a mere job but rather a labor of love," Lister said. "Her passion for theater -- and Lyric Theatre in particular -- allowed her steady hand to guide us through both the good times and more importantly through a few tougher times. Personally, having known Paula for the over 30 years that I have been involved with Lyric, I will miss her daily presence at the theatre, but I know that the strong foundation she laid will guide us well in the future."

Lyric Board President Randy Kakish said he cannot recall a time when Paula was not the head of Lyric. "She has been the heart and soul of Lyric for decades," he said. "She has led us through good and tough times. She is not replaceable and will be sorely missed. It has been a joy to be around her."

A Tulsa native, Stover has been married to her husband, Carl, for nearly 54 years. They met while both attended the University of Oklahoma. They briefly lived in New Mexico, where he was stationed in the U.S. Air Force and she taught middle-school English. They have three children - Laura Price, married to Derek Price; Ashley Wells, married to Bart Wells; and Daniel Stover, married to Heather Stover - and four grandchildren, Maddie Price, Benjamin Price, Caden Wells and Ethan Wells.

She was an original member of the Cultural Development Corporation, assisting in the first report detailing the needs of arts groups for the renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall. Over the years, Stover has volunteered for many organizations, including the Festival of the Arts, Women in Communications, Sunbeam Family Services and Allied Arts. She's also served on the board of Heritage Hall School and on the Vestry for St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Other accolades include being named a 2001 Woman of the Year by the Journal Record and a Governor's Arts Award recipient. In March, Stover will join an elite group of alumni from Tulsa's Will Rogers High School when she is inducted into her alma mater's Hall of Fame.

About Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

Founded in 1963, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is the state's leading professional theatre company. Lyric produces classic and contemporary musicals and plays created by artists from Oklahoma and around the nation. Shows are presented at two Oklahoma City venues -- the intimate, 279-seat Plaza Theatre and the grand, 2,477-seat Civic Center Music Hall. Lyric is a nonprofit member theatre of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Allied Arts. For more information, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com

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