Okorie “OkCello” Johnson, an Atlanta-based cellist, composer and storyteller, will bring his unique style of performance to the Leach Theatre stage next month as part of the Missouri University of Science and Technology Campus Performing Arts Series.  

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall, located on the Missouri S&T campus at the corner of 10th and Main streets in Rolla.   

OkCello’s music blends the traditions of the African Diaspora with bold, contemporary soundscapes and invites listeners into a moving journey of rhythm, melody, and narrative. He uses a looper, an electronic device that records and repeats musical phrases to build a layered performance as he plays, which creates an ensemble from the music of a single cello. Each piece is infused with improvisation and storytelling, crafted to be emotionally resonant and musically daring. 

With a career that spans award-winning scores for theater and film, orchestral premieres and immersive live performances, OkCello offers more than just a concert. It is a spiritual and sonic exploration of connection, history and hope. 

Tickets range in price from $25 to $35, depending on seat location, with $15 tickets available for S&T students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased at the Leach Theatre Box Office, located inside the main entrance of Castleman Hall, facing 10th Street. The box office is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.   

Tickets can also be purchased online at leachtheatre.mst.edu/tickets or by calling 573-341-4219. Service fees may apply to tickets purchased online or by phone.  

For more information about this or other performances, visit leachtheatre.mst.edu. 

About Missouri University of Science and Technology 

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.