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91Ӱ��’s International Film Studies students had the chance to take their learning offline through a partnership with Circle Cinema, where they could watch and discuss films together on the big screen.

91Ӱ��’s International Film Studies course, typically offered entirely online, introduced a new in-person feature this semester at Tulsa’s historic . Through Circle Cinema’s educational screenings program, students are watching select films on the big screen and discussing them afterward in the comfort of theater seats.

Associate Professor Jeff Stuckey has taught the class online since 2017. The course typically enrolls about 30 students each semester. Roughly half of the class attend the Friday morning screenings at Circle Cinema to earn extra credit, though attendance isn’t required.

Stuckey says providing an in-person option changes how students engage with the material.

“The discussion after the screening is priceless. It’s important to capture their thoughts right after the film, when everything is still fresh,” explains Stuckey. “For the online discussion board, students have to rely on somebody, waiting for somebody to reply to them. They’ve got a lot of great ideas.”

Experiencing Film Together

For many 91Ӱ�� students, the in-person screenings at Circle Cinema have been their first time experiencing a film on the big screen at Tulsa’s oldest movie theater. 

Communications major Stella Lopez says the in-person screenings make the class more engaging.

“This is my first time at Circle Cinema … it feels more exciting and it builds a sense of community. You get to meet new people and make friends,” says Lopez.

Business major Dustin Orr agreed, saying the in-person experience makes the class more enjoyable.

“I’d rather come here and watch the film than be at home,” says Orr. “The atmosphere of this entire place is different compared to the movie theater chains. It feels cozier.”

Stuckey said he carefully selects films that make the most of the big-screen experience.

“I was thinking about movies that really would make an impact on the screen and films that you would probably not ever get a chance to see anywhere else,” says Stuckey.

The class began with The Passion of Joan of Arc, a 1928 silent film known for its emotional intensity and close-up cinematography. The class later watched The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a French musical where every line of dialogue is sung.

Stuckey says the screenings help rebuild community and human connection after years of remote learning since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is a real need for this type of connection. Otherwise, we will get lost in that technical world,” says Stuckey. “So, we’re preserving the humanities. We’re preserving the experience of a shared time.”

Education at Circle Cinema

Circle Cinema first opened in 1928 as a silent movie theater and stands today as Tulsa’s longest-running nonprofit movie theater. Its educational screenings program invites schools and colleges to use the theater as a living classroom, pairing film with lessons in subjects like English, history, civics and language.

David Kimball, who leads community outreach for Circle Cinema, said the initiative provides students with an immersive learning experience.

“Visiting the theater is a great field trip opportunity to visit a historic Tulsa movie theatre, originally built in 1928 on the original alignment of Route 66,” says Kimball.

He explains that watching films on the big screen can bring classroom material to life and help students connect more deeply with what they study. The goal is to give students something that can’t be replicated on a phone or laptop.

“Showing a film to students of any age is an ideal supplement to the written word and can elevate their understanding of a book or topic when presented as part of an overall plan,” he says. “The communal experience of watching a film in a dimmed movie theatre with your classmates is unmatched.”

Circle Cinema has focused on expanding access to its educational program, especially for rural schools. Kimball says the theater aims to reach more than 5,000 students annually through new partnerships and a dedicated Education Committee. Support from organizations like the Williams Companies, the National Endowment for the Arts and private donors help cover operational costs so schools can attend screenings before normal business hours.

What’s Next

This semester marks the pilot year of 91Ӱ��’s collaboration with Circle Cinema, but Stuckey hopes to continue utilizing the theater for future classes.

“I hope it’s something we continue to grow. Places like this in Tulsa allow our students to come in and experience so much more than just a film,” he says.

Stuckey sees the experience as proof that community spaces like Circle Cinema can deepen learning and bring students together. He hopes to build on this momentum by expanding the model to include other classes or faculty in future semesters.

“This first run has shown what’s possible. Now it’s about keeping that momentum and continuing to build community through film.”