Inducted in 2017
Paula LeFan Stover was the former Managing Director of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Paula has led Oklahoma’s largest professional performing arts organization, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, for the past 26 years prior to her retirement in 2017. Her work in preventing the demise of Lyric Theatre in 1996 earned her admiration and respect for her commitment to the arts. Lyric Theatre is now a year round theatre company with two venues and nine productions a year. Her dream of giving children a creative place to perform became a reality with the creation of Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy for children from 5 to 18. Paula worked with the Lyric Board of Directors in repurposing the old Plaza Theatre which spearheaded the revitalization of one of the most vibrant, creative, arts districts in Oklahoma City.
Paula was named a final nominee for the 2001 Woman of the Year by the Journal Record and was honored as a “Lady in the News” by Oklahoma Hospitality Club. She also received the Governor’s Arts Award. In 2015 she was one of seven women honored for their contributions to the community through communications by the Oklahoma City Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications’ Byliner Awards. She was also honored with the 2007 Oklahoma Treasures for Tomorrow Award and the 2015 Urban Pioneer Award for her work on the revival of the Plaza District. Paula has served as President of the Sunbeam Family Services Board of Directors, Secretary of the Oklahoma City Junior League, President of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, member of the Board of Trustees for Heritage Hall School and a Vestry member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
