McKnight Center Defies Trends with Growing Subscriber Base

The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts continues to buck national trends with 70% of its seats filled by loyal subscribers, Executive Director Mark Blakeman announced during his presentation to the Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club. This subscriber rate stands in stark contrast to arts organizations across the country that struggle to retain season ticket holders.

"We are the total opposite of almost every other arts organization in the country," Blakeman said. "We have 70% of the house filled with subscribers, which is really amazing."

The high subscription rate means limited single ticket availability when sales open Aug. 11. New subscriber sales begin July 21, with a "create your own" package option available July 28 that allows patrons to select three performances at a discount.

Broadway icon's exclusive performance outside NYC and LA kicks off star-studded season

Hugh Jackman will headline the center's opening night gala on Sept. 12, marking what Blakeman calls "probably the biggest get I've had in my career." The Emmy, Grammy and two-time Tony Award winner will perform a show customized specifically for the McKnight Center, adapted from his current Radio City Music Hall residency.

"Other than New York and he played the Hollywood Bowl in June, the only other place you can see him is at the McKnight Center," Blakeman said. The performance represents Jackman's only appearance outside New York and Los Angeles during his current tour.

Blakeman expects Jackman tickets to sell out quickly when single tickets become available. "There still are tickets available for Hugh Jackman, but they will probably sell out the day single tickets go on sale," Blakeman said.

The following night features Tony Award winners Kelli O'Hara and Sutton Foster performing a tribute to Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett. O'Hara, who opened the McKnight Center in 2019, has personal connections to the venue through her parents, who regularly attend performances.

The 2025-2026 season includes several world-class orchestras, continuing the center's tradition of bringing major symphonies to Oklahoma. The Seoul Philharmonic from South Korea will conduct a residency featuring multiple concerts and extensive educational programming for Oklahoma State University music students.

"We tend to catch orchestras when they're on the road to do their Carnegie Hall show," Blakeman explained. The Seoul Philharmonic will perform at Carnegie Hall and the McKnight Center as part of their limited U.S. tour.

The Philadelphia Orchestra returns for another residency, offering expanded educational opportunities including masterclasses and teaching sessions. These residencies provide OSU students with access to world-class musicians typically available only at major conservatories.

"You really don't get that unless you're at a major conservatory, usually on the east coast or the West Coast," Blakeman said. Previous residencies have led to career opportunities for students, including one graduate who now performs with the Chicago Symphony after connections made during a masterclass.

The U.S. Marine Band, known as "The President's Own," will perform a free concert in October. Founded in 1798, the ensemble participates in all ceremonial presidential activities in Washington, D.C. Tickets for this free performance are expected to sell out quickly and will become available on August 11.

"Even though it's free, it's a precision operation and we know exactly how many tickets were given out," Blakeman said. "If you don't have a ticket, you probably won't be able to attend."

Broadway touring productions include "Hadestown," which won eight Tony Awards in 2019 including Best Musical, and "The Music Man," the classic 1957 musical that recently featured Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster on Broadway.

Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis will perform with his ensemble, marking what may be one of his final tours before retirement. Blakeman, a former trumpet player, called Marsalis "my hero as a kid" and noted his unique achievement as the only person to win Grammy Awards as both a classical and jazz musician in the same year.

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Country artist Ashley McBryde, a Grammy winner and Grand Ole Opry member, will perform in the fall. The center also plans to announce a spring country special that has not yet been confirmed.

The season concludes with Chris Thile, mandolin virtuoso and former host of "Prairie Home Companion." Thiele, founder of the trio Nickel Creek and member of Punch Brothers, will perform solo with mandolin, alternating between classical pieces and original songs.

Holiday programming features Tower of Power, a Bay Area funk and R&B band that will perform a mix of original music and holiday favorites. Valentine's Day brings Mandy Patinkin with his new show "Jukebox," featuring the Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actor known for "The Princess Bride" and "Homeland."

The McKnight Center's success extends beyond ticket sales, with the venue increasing free tickets to students by 237% through a campaign encouraging ticket holders to donate unused seats. This initiative, supported by text messaging reminders before concerts, resulted in 819 tickets donated to students for the 2023-2024 season, compared to 443 the previous year.

"We tend to have a lot of sellout shows," Blakeman said, advising potential attendees to purchase tickets quickly when single sales begin.

📺 Watch Mark Blakeman's presentation to the Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club