Oklahoma Shakespeare launches its 2026 season with Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” in February

First mainstage production scheduled for late February at the Paseo venue

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is opening its 2026 season with Oscar Wilde’s comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a production slated to run from Feb. 19 through March 1, 2026, at the company’s indoor theater in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District. The schedule also includes a short run of performances Feb. 5–8, 2026, presented at Oklahoma City University, ahead of the Paseo dates.

The season opener continues the nonprofit company’s year-round programming model, which includes an indoor black box space and the outdoor Shakespeare Gardens amphitheater on its Paseo campus. Oklahoma Shakespeare has operated since 1985 and identifies its mission as presenting classical theatre alongside education and outreach activities in the Oklahoma City metro.

What the play is—and why it remains a staple

First performed in the 1890s, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is structured around mistaken identity and social conventions in Victorian England. The plot follows two men who adopt false names to navigate courtship and obligations, while Wilde’s dialogue satirizes class expectations and manners.

The play’s endurance is tied to its compact structure, prominent roles for an ensemble cast, and a comic style that relies on wordplay and reversals rather than topical references. For producing organizations, it is also a frequently selected title because it can be staged effectively in intimate spaces while still drawing audiences familiar with the work.

Collaboration with Oklahoma City University

Materials released for the production describe it as a collaboration involving Oklahoma City University artists and Oklahoma Shakespeare. The cast list published for the show includes multiple performers identified as students at the university alongside established Oklahoma City-area professionals. The production’s posted credits also include student designers in roles such as costume, sound, and props design.

For local audiences, the collaboration adds a training component to a professional-season launch, while the two-venue schedule positions the title as both a campus event and a public run at the Paseo theater.

How “Earnest” fits into the broader 2026 lineup

Beyond the February-to-March opener, Oklahoma Shakespeare’s 2026 calendar lists additional mainstage productions and seasonal programming. The company’s outdoor Shakespeare Gardens schedule includes “The Tempest” running June 11–28, 2026, followed by “Julius Caesar” scheduled for Sept. 10–27, 2026.

Later in the year, the indoor season includes “An Actor’s Carol” with performances listed for Nov. 27–29, 2026, and “Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker,” scheduled for Dec. 3–20, 2026. The year also includes education programming and staged readings, reflecting a season structure that mixes full productions with smaller-format events.

• Season opener: Feb. 19–March 1, 2026 (Paseo indoor theater)
• Additional performances: Feb. 5–8, 2026 (Oklahoma City University)
• Summer outdoor productions: “The Tempest” (June) and “Julius Caesar” (September)
• Holiday programming: “An Actor’s Carol” (late November) and “Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker” (December)

For Oklahoma Shakespeare, opening with a non-Shakespeare classic signals a season designed to balance canonical works with broader classics, while maintaining a schedule that spans winter indoor runs and summer outdoor performances.