Our Story
Ponca City's Heart of the Arts
Nearly a century of live performance, film, and community — all under one historic roof.
Our Mission
Keeping Live Arts Alive in Ponca City Since 1927
The Poncan Theatre is a nonprofit performing arts organization that has served as Ponca City's cultural cornerstone for nearly a century. We believe the arts aren't a luxury — they're essential to a thriving community.
Each season, we present 50+ live concerts, theatrical productions, film screenings, and community events. Through the Evans Children's Academy, we invest in young performers across the region — offering classes, camps, and scholarships to ensure the arts remain accessible to every family.
As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community — through ticket sales, donations, sponsorships, and the dedication of over 100 volunteers — to keep the stage lit and the curtain rising year after year.
The Poncan has been part of this community for almost 100 years. It's not just a building — it's where Ponca City gathers.
Ponca City Community
The Building
An Atmospheric Theatre.
Nearly 100 Years of Stories.
Built in 1927 and designed by the Boller Brothers of Kansas City as an “atmospheric theatre,” the Poncan is one of Oklahoma's most remarkable surviving examples of the style — with an intimate auditorium and a hand-painted stage curtain featuring an outdoor Mediterranean garden, signed “Kansas City Scenic 1927.”
Walking into the Poncan is an experience before the curtain even rises. The seats, the light fixtures, the stage — this building is itself a performance.
What We Do
Three Ways We Serve Ponca City
Live Performance
From Broadway-caliber theatrical productions to nationally touring concerts, we bring world-class entertainment to Ponca City. Every season brings something new — and something memorable.
Cinema & Film
Experience movies in a historic setting. We screen a rotating selection of current releases and beloved classics in our intimate, beautifully restored auditorium.
Arts Education
Through the Evans Children's Academy, we invest in the next generation of performers — offering a summer musical theatre camp and scholarships to students across the region.
Want to learn more?
Explore our history, meet our leadership, or get involved.