In A Nutshell

Isabella Ruano is a Cuban-American artist from Tampa, FL. Professionally she has worked with the OKC Civic Center (An Evening with Kelli O’Hara), Opera Kansas (Staggerwing), Music Theatre Works (West Side Story), and Theatre For Everyone (Unrehearsed Shakespeare). She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University in Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance. She has appeared there in The Ballad of Baby Doe, Die Zauberflöte, Suor Angelica, Legally Blonde, and an original work—Pietá. Her other most notable credits include Oklahoma! with the New Tampa Players. Catch her in Chicago this August as Maria in West Side Story. In all her creative forms of expression, she aspires to promote authenticity and genuity in each performance, keeping things fresh.

Read on

Upcoming and Recent

West Side Story

August 13-30 2026, Skokie, Illinois
In a world of hatred and anger, Maria is a light of hope, forgiveness, and love. Join Isabella this summer as she transports you into the world of 1950s Manhattan in Music Theatre Works’ production of WSS.
Unrehearsed Shakespeare

January and February 2026, Theatre For Everyone
Isabella revives an old Shakespearean art form: performing Shakespeare without a single rehearsal. The scenes were as follows: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act III:II; The Taming of the Shrew Act I:I; King Lear Act I:I.
Oklahoma!

October 17-19, 24-26, 2025, New Tampa Players
Isabella Ruano makes her New Tampa Players debut October 2025 as Laurey in Oklahoma! Don’t miss this classic musical with music that will sweep you away and characters who leave you with dreams as big as the sky!
Staggerwing by Lisa DeSpain

May 30, 31 and June 1 2025, Wichita, Kansas
In this Jazz Operetta, Blanche Noyes and Louise Thaden enter The Bendix aviation race as one of the only women in the compeition. Come see the show to see if they will break down the walls for women in aviation!
Senior Recital

Saturday, April 5, 2025, 4pm
In her final classical recital, Isabella sings music from the Bel Canto Era to Modernism. Join her in this glorious night of song at Petree Recital Hall.
Spring Jazz Concert

March 5, 2025, 7:30pm
Join Isabella in her final jazz concert at OCU where she will be singing “L.O.V.E.” by Nat King Cole in Petree Recital Hall.
Notes on Viardot | Opera Scenes

December 17-19, 2024 (Opera Scenes) | December 21, 2024, 7pm (Viardot)
Isabella performs as chorus in Michael Ching’s Notes on Viardot, in association with Music On Site. She also performs scenes from Dvorak’s Rusalka and Federico Moreno Torroba’s Luisa Fernanda. Come join her this December at Friends University in Wichita, KS!
Jazz Concert

November 25, 2024, 7:30pm
Join Isabella as she sings La Vie en Rose live with the OCU Jazz Band. Don’t miss the final concert of the semester in Petree Recital Hall!
The Ballad of Baby Doe

November 15-17, 2024
Isabella performs as Elizabeth Doe Tabor in OCU's The Ballad of Baby Doe. Come support her in her final year at OCU!
Slice of Life

March 9, 2024, 8pm
At OCU in Medium Rehearsal Hall, Isabella performs in Andy Chan’s original mini musical. Come see the show that celebrates friendship and college experience!
Musical Theatre Recital

October 26, 2024, 6pm, SRH
Isabella gives her Senior MT Recital at OCU in SRH!
Jazz Concert

October 9, 2024, 7:30pm
Isabella sings with her university's jazz band, live in Petree Recital Hall!
Jazz and Broadway Concert

July 27, 2024, 9:30pm
Isabella sings the classic “A Foggy Day” at Teatro Petrarca.
La Corona

July 25 & 26, 2024, 9pm
Isabella performs Meleagro in Christoph Gluck’s La Corona. Come join Isabella in Arezzo, Italy, at La Frateritá dei Laici
Jazz Band Concert

Feb 28, 2024, 7:30pm
Isabella performs a duet form of Osvaldo Farréss’ iconic “Quizás, Quizás Quizás” with Riordan Banks and the OCU Jazz Band. The concert is open seating and held in Petree Recital Hall at the Wanda Bass School.
Junior Recital

Feb 10, 2024, 6pm
Isabella performs 30 minutes of classical music at Oklahoma City University in Small Rehearsal Hall.
Suor Angelica and Pieta

Nov 18, 2023
Isabella performs as Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Jake Landau and Andrea DelGuidice’s Pietá.
Mirabell Recital

July 31, 2023
Isabella gives a music theatre and classical recital in Salzburg, Austria as the Mirabell Competition winner. Her videos may be viewed on her YouTube channel.
An Evening With Kelli O'Hara

Feb 23, 2023
Isabella sings as a vocalist alongside Kelli O’Hara in her concert with the OKC Philharmonic.
Die Zauberflöte

Feb 18, 2023
Isabella portrays Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute at OCU, directed by Cynthia Stokes.