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Join us this season

The epicenter for arts and culture in the village of Ada is the Freed Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Ohio Northern University. The Freed Center is home to a 551-seat proscenium theatre and 136-seat studio theatre, an art gallery and theatre support facilities.

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FREED CENTER EVENTS

An electrifying rock adaptation of the classic play
SPRING AWAKENING
BOOK AND LYRICS BY STEVEN SATER
MUSIC BY DUNCAN SHEIK
BASED ON THE PLAY BY FRANK WEDEKIND

Winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is an electrifying rock adaptation of the classic play. Daring and inventive, it is an exhilarating journey of teenage self-discovery as well as a celebration of youth and rebellion. Spring Awakening contains nudity, mature language and strong sexual themes.

TICKET PRICING:
$20 – Adults
$10 – Seniors
$5 – Students/Children Purchase Tickets
SPRING AWAKENING BOOK AND LYRICS BY STEVEN SATER MUSIC BY DUNCAN SHEIK BASED ON THE PLAY BY FRANK WEDEKIND
The marching musicians in “orange and black” are back!
The “Star of Northwest Ohio” will present highlights from its 2019 program.

The Ohio Northern University Marching Band was organized in 1890 through the Military Department at ONU. The band played for military events and other University functions but was not active with athletic events until the early 1900s when the athletic department was developed. Today, the band is part of the Department of Music and is very active on and off campus in a variety of performances. The band uses a modified corps-style of marching, along with color guard, twirlers, off-the-field percussion battery and three field commanders. The band performs at all ONU home football games, one away game per season and several local parades. In addition, the band has been featured at numerous high school marching band festivals and competitions throughout Ohio. Membership in "The Star of Northwest Ohio" is open to all Ohio Northern students. The ONU Marching Band has performed for audiences all over the world. In recent years, the band has performed in Beijing, Shanghai, Rome, Sorrento, Hawaii, Paris, London, Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles. The ONU Marching Band is under the direction of Dr. Charles Bates.

TICKET PRICING:
$10 – Adults/Seniors
$5 – Students/Children Purchase Tickets
Band-o-rama marching band
"Symphonic Opera" features the music of Mozart and music from famous operas by Giuseppe Verdi, Georges Bizet, Alexander Borodin, Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert. Soprano Kate Patterson and pianist Naomi Bernholt winners of the ONU Music Department’s concerto competition, feature as soloists with the ONU Symphony Orchestra.

The Ohio Northern Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Antoine T. Clark, is a hybrid orchestra comprised of a highly select group of students, faculty, and professionals. The symphony performs two programs a year, and enrollment is open, by way of an audition, to all University students regardless of major.

TICKET PRICING:
$10 – Adults/Seniors
$5 – Students/Children Tickets available Nov. 4
ONU SYMPHONIC OPERA

THE ONU HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR 2019

Bring the entire family to celebrate the season with The ONU Holiday Spectacular, an annual holiday tradition for families for 25 years! 

  •  Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

  •  Friday, Nov. 22, at  7:30 p.m.

  •  Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. and  7:30 p.m.

ONU Holiday Spectacular - 25 Years
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About the Freed Center

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Information & Facilities
freed center seats
Seating Charts
freed center backstage
Season Brochure
freed center costume shop
Ohio Northern University Department of Theatre Arts students create face casts

Become an Angel for the Arts

Each year, a group of generous donors known as Angel for the Arts supports Ohio Northern University productions that energize, invigorate, challenge and captivate our community. Become an Angel for the Arts, and you’ll help enhance the theatre, music, visual art and dance performances and exhibitions that impact our students’ educations. Any gift, no matter the size, will make a difference.

Your generous gifts give students a better understanding of artistry, the ability to apply acting theory, perform dance such as tap and ballet and so much more that will carry into a lifetime of spreading art to the world. Become an angel of the performing arts community and follow the journey of a student from Ada coming alive on stage!

Angel for the Arts proudly supports students and programs in visual and performing arts.

ANGEL FOR THE ARTS MEMBERSHIP RUNS FROM JUNE 1 TO MAY 31.
Give Now!

Stars fill the stage

Student productions filled the house during the 2018-19 season. 

Romeo & Juliet

freed center romeo and Juliet

Andrew Lippa's Wild Party

Ohio Northern University Department of Theatre Arts performance of “The Wild Party”

Mystic India: The World Tour, A Bollywood Dance Spectacular

ONU Dance Company performs with visiting artists in “Mystic India”

The ONU Holiday Spectacular

Students perform on stage during a rehearsal of Ohio Northern University’s annual “ONU Holiday Spectacular”.

Choreographers' Showcase

Students perform with dancers on stage during a rehearsal for "Choreographers’ Showcase”

13th International Play Festival: India

Students rehearse during the Department of Theatre Arts presentation of The International Play Festival: India. “Hayavadana”

Young Frankenstein

Department of Theatre Arts presented "Young Frankenstein" at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts

SEASON UNDERWRITERS

A great season of shows awaits! We bring these performances to you with the generous support of donors who help deliver enriching experiences to our community and add high-impact learning opportunities for students. For this we say, THANK YOU!

Become a Season Underwriter
  • Ohio Arts Council
  • The Inn at ONU
  • Robinson Fin Machines
  • Quest FCU
  • Liberty National Bank
  • Kewpee
  • Bud & Barb Winzenried
Haley Ward rehearses a scene on stage
When I stage-managed The Pirates of Penzance at ONU, something changed in how I saw myself in the future. I could see myself performing and managing.
Haley Ward

Stay Connected!

Other ways to stay connected with the Freed Center:
twitter.com/FreedCenter
instagram.com/FreedCenter

Follow us Facebook
The exterior of The Freed Center for the Performing Arts at Ohio Northern University

Box Office Information

Freed Center for the Performing Arts
525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810
Phone: 419-772-1900
Fax: 419-772-1856
Email: freed-center@onu.edu

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
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The Inn at Ohio Northern University

The Inn at ONU is the area’s luxury hotel located within walking distance of The Freed Center for the Performing Arts. Before the performance, enjoy the Thursday through Saturday evening dinner club featuring a “Dine and Wine” exclusive and head to the Pub to unwind after the show. You’ll love The Inn’s luxurious and spacious accommodations that include a Fresh Start Breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking.

Contact:
401 West College Avenue, Ada, Ohio
Phone: 419-772-2500
Email: innonu@onu.edu

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