Oregon Children’s Theatre

This is our first class. The instructor is engaging and energetic, and the class size is small. Classes aren’t expensive at all, and they’re a great way for kids to express themselves. Our kid looks forward to coming every week!

Attended their young professionals «impulse» improv comedy show. Was some of the best improv I’ve seen from anyone. It was structured (in terms of games) more than an adult show but that’s fine. I’ve seen adult shows where the free form results in a lot of quiet moments. These teens had non stop energy, not a slow moment.

My 3 year old is currently enrolled in a tues morning class and he LOVES it. The teachers are great and they seem really organized and invested in the children. We plan to register for another class.

My son loves taking classes here. They really focus on building skills that will help him in all aspects of his life. They don’t make «performers» or encourage kids to be divas. The classes are imaginative and physical. Two things my kids love. Also, he really feels like he is part of a community. The classrooms are new and clean and the teachers are attentive.

This location offers a number of theater classes for kids, ranging from improv to scene-​writing. It’s a fun, welcoming environment with good facilities and faculty, and –importantly– very reasonable prices. Our daughter had a blast, and we would definitely consider another class.

Twenty years old… still young at heart.
That’s OCT’s motto as they head into their 20^th Anniversary season. My children have been to a number of their productions, mainly on school trips, but my family has seen two productions this season.
Yesterday we saw «Einstein is a Dummy» in the Winningstad Theatre and I was really impressed. OCT stages their productions in the Winningstad and Newmark Theatres in Hatfield Hall and there is so much to like.
**Fun plays — the upcoming 2008 – 2009 season includes James and the Giant Peach (one of my favorite childhood books), Petit Rouge (a Cajun Red Riding Hood musical), and Click, Clack, Moo (my kids both love that book).
**Different productions are suited for different ages — they tell you up front which performances are best for the whole family while others are better for a specific older age range. (Einstein fell in the older category).
**Acting Academy — they offer acting classes and camps if your child is ‘theatrical’.
**Education — Workshops for teachers and free or reduced-​price tickets for schools as well as scholarships for students attending their Acting Academy.
**Staging — subject matter and performance were well suited to children but very professional. Performances are typically between 40 and 60 minutes.
**Access — after the performance the cast comes to the lobby immediately to answer questions, take photos and sign autographs.
It is just a brilliant way to introduce the little one to the arts without trying to force them to sit through a show for adults. If you are a donor, they have additional benefits like backstage tours and autographed posters. I’m so glad we have this theatre company in Portland. Bravo!