NSU's Sequoyah Institute announces 40th annual series season preview
Northeastern State University’s Sequoyah Institute announces 40th annual series season preview
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University’s Sequoyah Institute has announced the lineup for its 40th annual series season, featuring a diverse slate of performances celebrating history, culture, music and storytelling.
NSU’s Sequoyah Institute was founded in 1985 to provide NSU theatre students with real-world experience. More than four decades later, the institute serves not just NSU through its celebration of the performing arts, but also the community around it.
The 2026-2027 season includes an original historical drama, a holiday concert, Cajun music and culture and contemporary vocal performance.
The season opens Sept. 17 with “Two Wings to Heaven; The Bessie Coleman Story.” The original play, created by the award-winning April Armstrong, tells the story of the first African-American female pilot to receive an international pilot’s license.
On Nov. 18-19 the Sequoyah Institute will present “TAKE3 Christmas.” The acclaimed vocal and instrumental trio reimagines holiday favorites such as “Hallelujah” and “Carol of the Bells” with a fresh and energetic style.
Audiences can experience Cajun culture and music Jan. 22 with “Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs.” One of the few remaining fluent Cajun French speakers, Thibodeaux shares Louisiana heritage through original French-language songs and fiddle performances.
The season concludes Feb. 25-26 with FACE Vocal Band. Known for their appearance on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” the all-vocal rock band performs more than 100 shows annually and is recognized for its innovative vocal arrangements and high-energy performances.
NSU President Rodney Hanley is proud of the Sequoyah Institute’s role in promoting access to the arts in northeastern Oklahoma.
“As a regional public university, our responsibility to northeastern Oklahoma extends far beyond offering degree programs,” Hanley said. “It includes serving as a cultural anchor for the communities we call home. For 40 years, the Sequoyah Institute has broken down geographic and financial barriers, providing people across our region with direct access to world-class arts, diverse cultural heritage and powerful live storytelling right here in Tahlequah.”
Dr. Robyn Pursley, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor, said she is most excited to see the new and returning performers’ fresh acts, along with the holiday show.
“We have been fortunate to see an increase in our season subscribers these past couple of seasons, so that has allowed us the opportunity to bring a couple of artists in for multiple performance nights,” Pursley said. “We love to see new faces joining us alongside our returning subscriber family of patrons.”
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the NSU Playhouse.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://nsuplayhouse.ludus.com/. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the NSU Playhouse box office, Tuesday-Friday, from noon to 5 p.m.
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