The Campaign for Lyric
Lyric Theatre embarked upon a $10 million capital campaign in 2004 to renovate and endow three facilities in the Plaza District on NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City. After renting office space, rehearsal space, and warehouse and storage space all over the city for many years, Lyric was finally about to have a permanent home. This dream became a reality in December, 2007 when the Plaza Theatre opened its doors for the inaugural production of PLAID TIDINGS: a Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid.
The Campaign for Lyric Theatre was led by Mike Turpen and his Steering Committee:
Gail Beals
Nick Demos
Mark W. Funke
Barbara Jett
Scott McLaws
Mark Robertson
Paula Stover
Max Weitzenhoffer
Don T. Zachritz
Campaign Counsel: David S. Green
Early Campaign Counsel: Henry Young
Of the $10 million goal for the Plaza Theatre project, approximately one-half was be devoted to construction, while the remaining half was invested in a permanent endowment fund to support annual administration and operation of the theater.
Early lead gift pledges were committed by community leaders and loyal supporters who saw the greater community need and Lyric’s vision for the future. In fact, Lyric’s Board of Directors collectively committed more than $1.8 million to the campaign before approaching the public.
The following list of donors gave specifically to the Campaign for Lyric Theatre, gifts ranging from $1.5 million to $5,000:
| Inasmuch Foundation E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Chesapeake Energy Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey K. McClendon Oklahoma Centennial Commission The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc. AT&T Foundation Kirkpatrick Family Fund The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Devon Energy Corporation LaDonna and Herman Meinders MidFirst Bank Jeannine and Gene Rainbolt SandRidge Energy, Inc. Sarkeys Foundation Grayce B. Kerr Fund, Inc. Marilyn Lesneski The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. OGE Energy Corp. Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Mike and Susan Turpen Jim and Jill Williams Bank of Oklahoma, n.a. Gail and Bill Beals O.K. Deitrick Foundation Express Personnel Services Josephine Freede Kirsten and David Griffin Harold and Sue Ann Hamm Kerr-McGee Foundation Kirkpatrick Foundation, Inc. Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. The City of Oklahoma City T. Boone Pickens Jeannette and Dick Sias The State of Oklahoma Don T. and Carolyn T. Zachritz Ann Simmons Alspaugh Russ Harrison and Natalie Shirley Carol and Michael Johnson The Robert S. and Grayce B. Kerr Foundation, Inc. Jim and Robin Meyer Tom and Lisa Price Paula and Carl Stover Mary Deane Streich A. Max Weitzenhoffer Ginny and Doug Lawrence Dulaney Brothers Investments Mark and Beverly Funke Marian and Bill Cathcart Randy and Kim Kakish John and Mary Nichols Rose Rock Bank Irma B. Elliott Eric and Allie Friedman Mark and Susan Robertson |
Bob and Doris McKown In Honor of Paula Stover Barbara and Mason Jett In Honor of Jake Bowman Delaney Karen and Peter Delaney Dee and John Hessel Loyce Youngblood Lyric Theatre Staff Judge David M. and Gayle Freeman Cook Crawley Family Foundation Janice and Richard Dobbs First Fidelity Bank, N.A. David and Lisa Flesher Gabbard & Company Suzette and S. Kim Hatfield Tom H. Knott In Honor of Judith Ann Knott Keith and Debbie Long George and Judy McDowell Gary and Beverly Rosenhamer Stacey and Eric Stiglets Fred and Rosie Zahn Stan and Renee Lingo Lana and Dave Lopez J. Angela Ables Earl and Patricia Austin Dr. Susan Chambers and Dr. Kyle Toal Randy and Melinda Compton G. Wythe Munford, Jr. Kent Fischer Don and Kathy Cain Sandy and Jon Trudgeon Jerry and David Baird Dennis K. Bielecki, MD Vikki A.Canfield, MD Barbara and Jackie Cooper Nick Demos DemosBizar Elliott + Associates Architects Brad and Celine Ferguson Tim, Ellen and Thomas Fleming Laura and Henry Hood Dick and Jill Horton John and Janet Hudson In Memory of Karel and Joe R. Love Francis S. and Betty Irvine Scott and Michelle McLaws Pam and Mike Mowry Dr. and Mrs. Ira Pollock In Loving Memory of Greg Pollock and Doug Pollock Karma and Brett Robinson Stephen and Cindy Schaus Beth and Jim Tolbert Bill Warren Office Products Renate and Chuck Wiggin |
