On the last day of 2018, we pause to reflect on a wonderful year of creation, expansion, and inclusion.
Thank you to our amazing artists, patrons, board members, volunteers, and audience members. We feel so honored to have been telling stories in this community for the last 20 years, and we look eagerly look forward to the next 20!
Since this is the last day of the year, it’s also your last chance to make a tax-deductible donation in 2018!
Donate NowAnd now… some highlights from 2018
- Rebeka Hoblik, our Young Violet in Violet, received an Ovation Award nomination for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical.” … read more
- Daily Pilot named The Other Place and Big Fish as two of the Best Shows in 2018 in professional theaters and specifically recognized the stellar performances of Jacqueline Wright (The Other Place) and Jeff Lowe (Big Fish) as two of the best of the year …read more
- OC Weekly declared that Big Fish had the “Best Theatrical Ensemble” of the year. The entire cast was “exceptional” and we couldn’t agree more … read more
- Broadway World´s ¨Best of OC 2018¨ included shout-outs for Big Fish (Best Production – Honorable Mention, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Performance: Jeff Lowe), Emma, The Musical (Best Production – Honorable Mention, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Performance: Mandy Foster, and The Other Place (Outstanding Performance: Jacqueline Wright) … read more
- Stage Scene LA recognized us with 27 Scenie Awards, including one for “Year’s Best Intimate Theater” for the third year in a row. Overall, 59 Chance Artists were recognized for their artistic achievements. … read more
- Tom Titus with Times OC paid tribute to three performers who “excelled notably in local theater during the preceding 12 months,” and our own Jacqueline Wright was featured for The Other Place, of which he said “there has been no finer individual performance in local theater.¨ … read more
- For the fourth year, we partnered with Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts on their Broadway in the Park Series, which is focused on making large-scale theater available for under $20 (and free for kids). This summer’s collaboration on The Little Mermaid brought in over 5,000 people in just five days.
- JordanRYoung.com‘s Best of 2018 included David Lindsay-Abaire’s Boston-set social comedy-drama, Good People and Sheila Callaghan’s romantic comedy, Elevada among the very Best of 2018 … read more
- Our 13th annual Speak Up summer youth program expanded enrollment for its Teens Speak Up program, producing two original plays written by Orange County junior high and high school students! Also, we partnered with Orange County Asperger’s Support Group to start the Spectrum Speak Up program for teens with high functioning Autism, Asperger’s or PDD-NOS.
- For the fourth year, we worked with local veterans to tell their stories. Veterans Speak Up presented a live theater performance at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center on December 4th. And for many of us in the audience — including government officials, teachers, students, and the husbands, wives, and children of our veterans — this was the first time we were really listening.
- For the 7th year, our 24hr Chance-a-thon put community members in the spotlight. The two-day line-up featured 29 hours of live entertainment from 160 performers. This included an original play by two moms, multiple cabarets, an original play — Mommies Anonymous — that later received an official staged reading in our OTR New Works Series this October, and lots of talented kids showing off the talent they got. The event engages our community in the art of theater and storytelling, for the people on and off the stage. … read more
- Some of our best friends and artists shared a stellar experience at this year’s gala fundraiser, Chance Ahoy! The event combined a fun atmosphere, delectable cuisine, live entertainment, and many Gilligans, Captain Stubings, and even a lobster! It was all made possible by an outstanding group of devoted volunteers, led by committee co-chairs, Sophie Cripe and Georgia Well and honorary chair, Bette Aitken. … read more
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