Ozark Actors Theatre (OAT) is one of only two professional summer stock theatres in out state Missouri. Located in Rolla, OAT is a non-profit organization and a member of the League of St. Louis Theatres. Founded in 1987 by Gail Andrews-Hintz, a Rolla native returning from New York, and F. Reed Brown; along with a founding Board of Trustees consisting of citizens from Rolla, Cuba, Waynesville and other communities in south central Missouri, the desire of these interested citizens was to bring quality live professional theatre to the Ozarks.
OAT first opened its doors to area audiences in 1988 with the production of Godspell in the historic converted First Baptist Church known as Cedar Street Center for the Arts. In 1989 Ozark Actors Theatre achieved status as an Equity Small Professional Theatre affiliated with the national union of professional actors and stage managers.
Cedar Street Center for the Arts became the permanent home of Ozark Actors Theatre in 1993 when the facility was available for purchase. Launching a successful campaign for the purchase of the building, the Board was also able to add permanent theatre seating and long-awaited air conditioning. In 1996, operations had grown to the point where the first full-time managing director was employed. Since that time, OAT has remained as a positive presence in south central Missouri with its continued growth.
Since its inception, OAT has received financial assistance from the Missouri Arts Council and has produced more than 70 shows, including a wide range of comedies, dramas, full-scale musicals and musical reviews. OAT serves to draw tourists from around the state and beyond through an active tourism program hosting several touring groups each summer, as well as individual visitors. As part of its focus on youth programming, OAT offers Summer Drama Camps and Master Classes for teens. In recent years, OAT has developed a Winter Season that showcases various other performing arts groups from around the state for the enjoyment of area audiences, and has produced its own Holiday Show.
