Mission
Oregon Children’s Theatre creates exceptional theater experiences that transform lives.
We believe theater and storytelling can educate, empower, inspire, and entertain in remarkable ways.
Vision
Our vision is that all children, families, and communities have opportunities to learn and grow through theater and the arts.
What We Do
For nearly three decades, Oregon Children’s Theatre has been creating extraordinary theater for young audiences. We bring great stories to life on stage, with productions distinguished by their professional polish and awe-inspiring staging. For many children, attending an OCT production is their first experience with professional performing arts.
Our work is grounded in the belief that theater and storytelling can educate, inspire, empower, and entertain in remarkable ways. Each season, we reach more than 120,000 children and families through:
- Unforgettable theater productions that delight and inspire families and school groups.
- Acting Academy programs that teach the craft of theater while fostering life skills.
- Dynamic performances, classes, workshops, and residencies in schools and in the community that use theater and storytelling to teach and inspire.
Equity and Inclusion
OCT’s mission and vision compel us to serve not only as a valued arts organization, but as a change agent advancing social justice in our community. We recognize the urgent need to address inequities on an institutional level, and we embrace our responsibility to mitigate real and perceived barriers to participation. Reaching out and engaging with all parts of our community will lead to a fuller understanding of the cultures that surround us, and provide us with insight into how we tell meaningful and relevant stories. That’s how we build trust and credibility, build audiences, provide positive impacts on children, remain sustainable and relevant, and help grow the spirit and soul of OCT.
History
OCT was created by Sondra Pearlman as the "Theatre for Young People" under the auspices of the Portland Civic Theatre in 1988. When Portland Civic Theatre closed its doors in 1990, Pearlman formed Oregon Children's Theatre with the goal of providing children their first exposure to theater and the performing arts through field trip performances. Since that start, we evolved by adding family performances and robust arts education programs.
Production History
2015 - 2016
Junie B. Jones: The Musical
Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space
Bad Kitty: On Stage
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
James and the Giant Peach
2014 - 2015
Ivy + Bean: The Musical
Skippyjon Jones
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Schoohouse Rock Live!
Ramona Quimby
2013 - 2014
Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans
Charlotte's Web
Zombie in Love
The Giver
Fancy Nancy
2012 - 2013
Duck for President
Pinkalicious: The Musical
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Stinky Cheese Man
Gathering Blue
A Year with Frog & Toad
2011 - 2012
Pinkalicious: The Musical
The Magic School Bus Live: The Climate Challenge
Locomotion
The Storm In The Barn
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
2010 - 2011
Alice & Wonderland
Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly
On the Eve of Friday Morning
How I Became a Pirate
A Wrinkle in Time
2009 - 2010
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Giggle, Giggle, Quack: A Musical
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs: A Musical
Small Steps
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
2008 - 2009
Gossamer
James and the Giant Peach
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Honus & Me: A Baseball Card Adventure
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood
2007 - 2008
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
The Ghosts of Treasure Island
Einstein is a Dummy
2006 - 2007
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Miss Nelson is Missing
The Boxcar Children
The Red Badge of Courage
2005 - 2006
The Giver
Charlotte's Web
Ferdinand the Bull
Alexander, Who's Not...Not Going to Move
2004 - 2005
The Former One-on-One Basketball Champion
The BFG
Ramona Quimby
Winnie-the-Pooh
2003 - 2004
Holes
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Velveteen Rabbit
2002 - 2003
Sacagawea
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cyrano
2001 - 2002
It's A Wonderful Life
Stuart Little
Tuck Everlasting
2000 - 2001
The Velveteen Rabbit
Tom Sawyer
The Boxcar Children
1999 - 2000
Miracle On 34th Street
The Adventure Of Treasure Island
Charlotte's Web
1998 - 1999
A Christmas Carol
Pippi Longstocking
James And The Giant Peach
1997 - 1998
(Tenth Anniversary Season)
Anne Of Green Gables
Ramona Quimby
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
1996 - 1997
Claus
Little House On The Prairie
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
1995 - 1996
Claus
Stuart Little
A Wrinkle In Time
1994 - 1995
There's A Boy In The Girls' Bathroom
The Velveteen Rabbit
1993 - 1994
Charlotte's Web
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
1992 - 1993
Anne Frank Remembered
(In-School Workshop)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth
James And The Giant Peach
1991 - 1992
The Wind In The Willows
Anne Of Green Gables
1990 - 1991
The Secret Garden
Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing
1989 - 1990
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Tom Sawyer
1988 - 1989
Charlotte's Web
Treasure Island