Tulsa PAC CEO shares vision, timeline for major renovation project

The Tulsa Performing Arts Center is preparing for a major transformation. Tulsa PAC CEO Mark Frie joined us to discuss the future of the facility, the phases of expansion, and what patrons can expect in the coming years.

Why is Tulsa PAC undergoing this transformation?

“Yeah, I mean it's definitely needed. To keep us competitive on a regional and global level, and you know, the citizens of Tulsa were very generous and earmarking $79.7 million of public money. That's really for the infrastructure and deferred maintenance, and all the things that we just need to do to keep the building operational, but that's not where we stopped. Very excited about this west side expansion that will give us tons of new full-service restaurants, 50 additional restroom stalls, which everyone will be happy to hear.”

Where will the expansion be located?

“Yeah, so, if you know the PAC to toward the west, across the Williams Green is the hotel there. So, this will go to the west. We don't have to disturb the original Yamasaki architecture of the current building, but this will give us a transformational project that will put us, honestly, ahead of Oklahoma City, Fayetteville, and when we're done with the entire project, it will be on the level of Dallas and the Lincoln Center, New York.”

Will the project be completed in phases?

“Yeah. So the goal is in 2028, we begin the renovation of the current facility, and we are hopeful to start the west side expansion, at that same time. Then later in the 10-year plan, what you're looking at now that would be built that 1400-seat concert hall would be built on the east parking lot just to the east of the Performing Arts Center, which the PAC trust owns. And if you look at that project in totality that's what Tulsa, Northeastern Oklahoma, the level of artists, the level of Broadway tours that we get here, this is the home they need, and this is the home that I want my grandchildren to come. To right, yeah.”

How long has the PAC been around?

“So, March of [20]27, we will celebrate 50 years.”

What kind of programming does the PAC currently host?

“Yeah, you know, we do 700-plus event days per year in our different theaters within the complex. So, we're always doing something over 300,000 people come through our doors annually. It's been an amazing building, but just like anything, you know, I had to get my hip replaced, sometimes you gotta fix it up a little bit. So that's what we're going to do.”

What happens to performances while the facility is under construction?

“Troubadour Theatres based in Great Britain. And when I started talking about a temporary structure, people just said have you watched the weather with Alan Crone? You know that's not going to work. But what they are building is incredible technology, state-of-the-art will be built to Oklahoma specifications and what's most important to me in this, even though this is reusable, you could tear it down and move it somewhere else. We can do full Broadway touring. We can do full grand ballet and opera and all the things that people want to come to the Performing Arts Center to see, so we won't have to miss a beat.”

Where will the temporary structure be located?

“Yeah, the PAC Trust owns that property, and it was it was really purchased for the intent of future expansion, which is what we're gonna do. We're gonna do it with the temporary structure 1st and then hopefully that 1400-seat concert Hall later. But it's exciting and I hope people can really embrace the vision that we have.”

How can the public support the project?

“People can just go to tulsapac.com. It's on our homepage. You can get all kinds of information. Later this summer, we'll be launching that capital campaign and this is always been everyone's place. We would love for everyone to be able to help with it's $10 or 100 bucks and we have some fun, unique ways for people to get involved and then you know, we have an incredible philanthropic groups here in Tulsa and you know, time and time, Tulsa has proved when they invest in themselves, great things happen.”

When will the PAC reopen?

“So we will reopen Phase one and two in 2031 and then hopefully by 2035 we've got the granddaddy and then I'm going to retire.”