“Preparing Ojai’s Youth for Life’s Stage”
Professional Energy. Youth Perspective.
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Young. Fearless. Unforgettable.
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Professional Energy. Youth Perspective. • Young. Fearless. Unforgettable. •
Every OYES production is built around an educational component designed to develop a young person as an artist.Through rehearsal and performance, students strengthen voice, movement, memorization, stage presence, imagination, ensemble skills, and creative confidence.
The fundamentals remain consistent. The focus deepens and evolves with each production.
THANK YOU, OJAI and BEYOND for a WONDERFUL
SUMMER FESTIVAL OF YOUTH THEATRE!
Where Young Artists Go Big
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Theatre That Moves Generations
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Where Young Artists Go Big • Theatre That Moves Generations •
What begins as play becomes craft
Programs blend drama games, skill-building, and ensemble work. The rehearsal process culminating in a fully staged production.
What begins as exploration becomes discipline.
What begins as play becomes craft.
Along the way, students grow not only in technique, but in confidence, collaboration, and creative voice.
Our offerings shift slightly each season to meet the energy and interests of our young community, but the intention remains constant: meaningful training, teamwork, and a stage worthy of their effort.
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At OYES, the work begins long before opening night.
Every OYES production is built around an educational component designed to develop a young person as an artist. Through rehearsal and performance, students strengthen voice, movement, memorization, stage presence, imagination, ensemble skills, and creative confidence.
Each season, young artists gather weekly to play, experiment, stretch, and build a production together.
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Class offerings vary by season and may include:
Musical Theater
Acting & Improv
Working Actors Workshops
Meisner Course
Young Actors Ensemble (YAE) Shakespeare
Voice & Dialects
Laban Efforts Movement
On-Camera Acting
Devising Theatre
Private Lessons
Romeo & Juliet • OYES Young Actors Ensemble, Shakespeare Program
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Youth Theater - Turned All the Way Up.
• Youth Theater - Turned All the Way Up.
Performances TO EMPOWER YOUTH
At OYES, we don’t just put on shows. We build worlds.
From the first rehearsal to opening night, our productions are immersive, fully realized theatrical experiences — designed to challenge young performers and invite audiences into something alive and immediate.
As students prepare for the stage, something deeper is happening.
They learn to rely on one another. They learn focus. Organization. Follow-through. They discover that excellence isn’t accidental — it’s built through commitment, collaboration, and trust.
Working side by side with peers and mentors, they experience the rare joy of striving toward a shared artistic goal. They stretch. They stumble. They rise. And by the time the lights come up, they are no longer just participants, they are artists.
It is our privilege to honor that journey with polished, professional performances that reflect not only their talent, but their courage.
And when the curtain rises, you can feel it.
Hear Us Roar.Get Notified
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Get Notified //
The Wizard of Oz • Lions, Tigers, and Bears Casts (grade K-10)
Balancing Busy Lives & Family Time
At OYES, we understand that families are balancing a lot. School. Sports. Homework. Work schedules. Life.
So we build our program with intention.
For more than a decade as a youth-centered organization, we’ve refined a model that makes sustained participation possible — allowing siblings, returning students, and even the next generation to step onto our stages. When families can say yes, more young people are served, and the impact deepens over time.
With rehearsals held once a week, plus occasional Saturdays, students can commit deeply to the creative process while still honoring school, activities, and family time. Theater asks for dedication and teamwork, and we provide a structure that is organized, supportive, and intentional.
We believe the arts shouldn’t just feel possible.
Arts for youth should be possible.
A confident, joyful “yes” for families who want their children to grow, connect, and find their voice.
JOIN
Help a Child Grow
OYES is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
You care about the children of the Ojai Valley. And you know that kids deserve the chance to learn and grow through the arts. Your gift can help a child grow through the arts at OYES.
