OKLAHOMA CITY —When Southern Plains Productions Artistic Director Jackson Gifford saw the puppet musical Dead as a Dodo in New York City last winter, he knew he wanted to bring this powerful show to Oklahoma City.
“It’s a puppet musical odyssey with the emotional impact of a novel,” Gifford said. “It’s like a Pixar film brought to life onstage. And it’s one of the most gripping productions I’ve seen.”
Written and directed by Norwegian creatives Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage, Dead as a Dodo showcases the adventures of a young boy and a skeletal dodo as they battle to avoid extinction while navigating the underworld. Blending humor, spectacle, and emotional impact, Dead as a Dodo is designed to engage audiences of all ages and spark meaningful dialogue about change, connection, and what it means to live in an era of unprecedented technology.
“Dead as a Dodo is a landmark production that pairs creativity and imagination with some of the most important issues of our time,” Gifford said. “Southern Plains Productions is proud to bring
it to Oklahoma City.”
Southern Plains Productions plans three performances of Dead as a Dodo: October 23-25, 2025 at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th Street in Oklahoma City.
In Spring 2026, Southern Plains Productions presents Where Did We Sit on the Bus? as part of its StoryPop free play-reading series, designed to bring the performing arts to new audiences.
Written by Brian Quijada, Where Did We Sit on the Bus? follows a young, Rosa Parks-inspired Latina student as she searches for her people’s place in U.S. history. This vibrant, single-actor show explores themes of immigration and identity, and the power of art in creating one’s own story.
Southern Plains Productions presents Where Did We Sit on the Bus? in partnership with the Oklahoma City Arts Council. The show is presented free of charge to the public and to Oklahoma City Public Schools students. Details are forthcoming at SPPOKC.org.
Southern Plains Productions concludes its 2025-26 season with the Jason Robert Brown musical, The Last Five Years, starring Oklahoma City native and Broadway star Erin Elizabeth Clemons
as Cathy.
The Last Five Years is a poignant, soul-stirring story of love, loss, and the fragile nature of genuine connection. With direction by Cameron King, this unique love story is a powerful journey that invites us to reflect on the fleeting moments that help define our relationships.
Show dates are May 28-June 6, 2026. Additional details are forthcoming at SPPOKC.org.
Southern Plains Productions is a professional, 501(c)3 non-profit arts-production company serving Oklahoma City. We seek to reimagine live theatre with innovative artistic experiences that spark conversations and bring our community together. southernplainsproductions.org