The mission of the Lyric Theatre is to produce excellent professional musical theatre, nurture artistic talent, promote collaboration among the arts, and enrich the quality of life for Oklahomans. Founded in 1963, Lyric Theatre is Oklahoma's only professional year-round musical theatre company. Beginning in the summer of 2002, Lyric Theatre moved its summer season from the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Auditorium to the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre in the newly renovated Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. For 46 years, Lyric has produced classic and contemporary musicals featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites. Lyric productions include the best of classic, modern, artistic, and family theatre for an audience of over 50,000 people.