Oceanside Theatre Company Collaborates with Boys and Girls Club of Oceanside to Bring Theatre Arts to Local At-Risk Youth

First-time collaboration culminates in presentation of Seussical Jr. Nov. 22-24 at Brooks Theater  

(Oceanside, CA) November 12, 2019—Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), the resident professional theater company at the Historic Brooks Theater, has collaborated with Boys and Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) for the first time to bring the benefits of theater arts to local youth. This free 9-week OTC Youth Outreach program for Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside members, ages 5-17, culminates in four performances for family, friends and the general public at the Brooks Theater, home to the Oceanside Theatre Company.

This year’s production, Seussical Jr., will bring all the favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life onstage at the Brooks Theater from November 22-24 — Friday at 7p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 for adults/seniors/military, $5 for ages 4-17, and free for children under 4 years. Purchase tickets online or by calling the box office at 760-433-8900.

"The Youth Outreach Program isn't just about theatre; it is about teaching kids important personal and life skills to carry with them for the rest of their lives,” said Deborah Dodaro, Founder of the OTC Youth Outreach Program. “It’s about building character and giving them the confidence to be who they are. It is about having that courage, to step onto a stage and allow their passion to shine."

The Youth Arts Education is a high priority for OTC as a key component of its overall mission especially in light of the elimination of theater arts from pubic schools in Oceanside. 

In searching for a way to continue to reach youth with the arts education program, a collaborative partnership was formed with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGC) in 2019, and the Youth Outreach Program is now an expanded and enriched resource for arts education in Oceanside.

“We are so grateful to the Oceanside Theater Company for helping us increase access to performing arts for youth in Oceanside. Our youth have learned a myriad of theater opportunities, from auditions, rehearsals and, soon, a live performance at the Brooks Theater,” said BCGO CEO, Jodi Diamond. 

The main program activities take place at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceaside’s Townsite location. As part of their Center for Innovation, the Club has a new Performing Arts Center, where auditions and rehearsals are held. The final rehearsals and performances are held at the Historic Brooks Theater, the home of OTC. 

The theater arts program encourages social creative experiences by working with participants to build collaboration, synergy, and a shared joyful experience in the disciplines of acting, singing and dancing. There is no “star” in the group; every single participant is valued and important to the program. The creative abilities of the participants are also fostered by giving the group an understanding of the theater world and plays. They learn the techniques, skills and purpose of acting, singing, and dancing to create a musical theater performance. 

The younger participants, ages 5 to 8, receive extra time and attention for learning lines, choreography, and song lyrics and blocking – where, how and when to move about the stage. The older group joins the others for ensemble collaboration, with individuals receiving artistic guidance on a one-on-one basis.

The participants can share ideas, ask questions and have their voice heard during the classes as the project artists encourage and assist each participant to bring their individuality and creativity to the program. The final performances highlight the wealth of culture, language and diversity that defines Oceanside and its youth.

This year’s OTC collaboration withBoys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside has greatly enriched and broadened the scope of the program. A revised project design and implementation now brings the program to students ranging from kindergarten to high school, rather than the previous focus on middle school. With the availability of the BGC Clubhouse, the program can accommodate larger numbers of youth participants than previous years, and with satellite programs at elementary and middle schools throughout the city, participants come from a broad spectrum of neighborhoods, income levels, demographics, and ethnicities.

The OTC Youth Outreach program welcomes all interested youth. OTC also recruited youth from the high schools, the Oceanside Public Library Teen Program, and youth who have been involved in OTC’s summer youth theater camp or other Youth Theater programs. All OTC Youth programs are generously funded by local foundations, corporations and individuals. 

About Oceanside Theatre Company:

Oceanside Theatre Company is the professional production company in residence at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater in downtown Oceanside, California. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, OTC’s vision is to be a beacon for arts education, culture, and the performing arts in North San Diego County. OTC produces a four-show mainstage theatre season in the 198-seat venue, as well as a music series and ongoing play readings in the adjacent black box theater, Studio 219. As part of a Youth Outreach program, OTC runs a four-week Youth Academy during the summer and brings theatre to Oceanside middle schools during the school year. To learn more visit www.oceansidetheatre.org. 

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Oceanside:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) is a youth development organization that is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enriching environment for youth to spend time during non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside is a local, independent organization affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. BGCO raises 100% of the funds that support our life changing programs through individual giving, events and grants.  We continue to uphold our mission: To inspire, develop and enrich young people to reach their fullest potential as confident, responsible, caring members of society.