OCT: Reimagined!

Oregon Children’s Theatre Announces New Season, New Mission, and New Strategic Plan

After a focused period of reflection, planning, and reimagining, Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) is preparing to return to expanded public programming in 2027. The relaunch of programs comes after an intentional pause, beginning in September 2025, during which the organization conducted research, strengthened the organization’s financials and operations, revitalized the mission and vision of the theatre company, and developed a three-year strategic plan.

Safe Spaces of Belonging

During its strategic pause, OCT’s Board of Directors and Staff engaged in the reimagining of its mission and vision to align with the needs of today’s youth and families. “Through our conversations with our community, along with research we conducted, we recognized that there was a much larger need for safe spaces for youth,” shared Courtney Powell, Marketing Director at OCT. “The most powerful realization we confronted was that the absence of safe, creative spaces for our children is detrimental to their mental health and well-being, and it contributes to the ongoing youth mental health crisis in our country. We began to focus more on using theatre as a tool to support children, rather than simply entertainment.”

Inspired by these findings, OCT rolled out its new mission: to create welcoming, imaginative spaces that inspire curiosity, resilience, and connection for all children across Oregon and SW Washington. “What excites us most about this mission is the accessibility it fosters,” commented Jenn Hartmann Luck, OCT’s Producing Artistic Director. “Regardless of where we are performing or teaching, we center the needs of the children in our communities.” As it rebuilds, OCT will pursue a vision of the future “where every child has meaningful access to the arts, participates in shaping vibrant communities, and experiences true belonging.” The community-connection is a new area of focus for OCT: “We have often talked about how ‘theatre skills are life skills,’ but this part of our vision takes that to the next level,” said Luck. “We want children to not only learn and grow in these skills, but then to take those skills into their communities and foster more engagement and positive change.”

Supporting OCT and its Renewed Mission

In March 2025, OCT announced a major fundraising campaign with a lofty goal to raise $1 million; the funds received through that successful campaign were used to support OCT’s strategic planning process and to allow OCT to offer educational programming during the 2026 spring and summer seasons. As the organization enters this new phase of regrowth and programmatic expansion, it is also embarking on another critical funding campaign.

“In order to serve youth and families in these new ways, we recognize that these programs will have a cost: mounting a touring production, regardless of size, is still an expensive undertaking. It also requires building infrastructure that OCT simply doesn’t have,” explained Luck. “We are inspired and feeling empowered in our new future, but we will need funding support from a wide variety of sources, including individual donations, grants and foundational support, and corporate or business sponsorships.” Those interested in supporting OCT’s renewed mission can make a donation on the organization’s website.

New Co-Executive Leadership to Implement Strategic Three-Year Operations Plan

Key to the successful rebuilding of the organization is the implementation of a strategic, three-year plan, which focuses on key operational areas including expansion of programming, financial viability, and increasing accessibility for all youth and families. “As we reimagine our mission and our vision for the future, we are leaning into feedback we have heard loudly from many of our families: we are focusing on meeting children and families where they are—in classrooms, community spaces, partner venues—we’re moving beyond a single-venue, ‘come-to-us’ model and moving toward programs that can adapt, travel, and grow over time,” said Powell. “This will take shape through research-based thoughtful expansion, strategic community partnerships, and financially sustainable growth.” OCT has also engaged with ECOnorthwest’s Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Insight to conduct critical market and consumer analysis to inform OCT’s expansion plans.

To support the implementation of this plan, as well as the organization’s fundraising, financial management, and business operations, OCT’s Board of Directors is currently engaged in a search for a new Executive Director, facilitated by Nonprofit Professionals Now. This Director will co-lead the organization alongside Luck. “We are thrilled to bring on a new leader who will partner with Jenn to drive the strategic plan forward and support OCT through this next phase of growth and sustainability,” said Katie Slavin, Oregon Children Theatre’s Board President. The intention is to hire this leadership role in the fall of 2026.

Two Productions Opening in 2027

OCT will produce two shows in 2027 through strategic partnerships: Gretel! the Musical, a co-production with PSU’s School of Music & Theater, will open at PSU’s Lincoln Hall on February 25, 2027, and will perform six field trip performances for schools, as well as eight public performances. A reimagining of the Hansel & Gretel folktale inspired by its traditional Slavic roots, the TYA musical was co-written by Luck and will be directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck. Additionally, Luck will teach a class for PSU’s Theater Department, focused on the history of Theatre for Young Audiences, during the fall term. “I can’t imagine a stronger partnership at a better time,” commented Assistant Professor Solomon Weisbard, Associate Director for Theater Arts at PSU. “PSU Theater Arts and OCT are both looking to new horizons to share resonant stories that help foster the next generation of theater artists and audiences. Gretel! is a reimagined fable of a young person coming to know life's magic, mystery, and loss — themes we’ve all reckoned with, at any age. We can’t wait to share this triumphant and spellbinding musical with Portland this winter.” Tickets for the public performances can be purchased through PSU’s website; field trip performances will go on sale Tuesday, September 1 via OCT’s website.

In May 2027, OCT will produce Mariposa/Butterfly, a bilingual, Theatre for the Very Young production, serving schools with twenty-two field trip opportunities, in addition to public performances. Public & school performances will take place at the Alberta Abbey in NE Portland May 15–23, 2027. The production will then tour to the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg for six school performances and two public performances. Two additional field trip performances will be held at The Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton in early June. A production of Mariposa/Butterfly, inspired by an on-site workshop facilitated by OCT’s Teaching Artists Rae Davis, Jessica Legunas, and Lauren Jost with Clark College’s Oliva Family Early Learning Center, will also perform at Clark College in early May. This initial, regional tour aligns with OCT’s commitment to make theatre more accessible and serve families beyond the Portland metro area. All field trip performances will go on sale September 1, with public on-sale dates following in the coming weeks.

Expansion of Education Programs

In addition to these two productions, OCT is currently exploring ways to expand its education programs, both geographically and pedagogically. “We have been receiving feedback from families about how we can better serve them through our educational experiences,” commented Luck. OCT has historically offered year-round education programs for children ages 4–18, as well as its popular summer camp programs. These programs were paused in September 2025 but, due to demand, were the first programs to restart in March 2026. “We heard loud and clear from our families that they wanted our education programs to come back as soon as possible,” explained Luck, “so we prioritized bringing those classes back earlier than intended. We had a successful summer camp program this year, and we will be doing additional research into the fall and winter, and hope to roll out a new education model in 2027.” OCT recently announced their eight-week Fall term of classes, which are on sale now.

Remembering Founder Sondra Pearlman

Oregon Children’s Theatre was founded in 1988 by Sondra Pearlman, who served the organization from its inception until her retirement in 2004. Pearlman passed away in July, leaving an incredible legacy of service and bringing live theater to millions of children.

The Pearlman Family has established the Sondra Pearlman Memorial Fund at OCT; donations made to this memorial fund will be used to bring OCT's new vision to life. “Sondra’s commitment to young people and her dedication to serving the children of our community is what has kept me focused on the future of the organization,” said Luck. “Her belief in the power of theatre for children has inspired us as we rebuild OCT, and we will continue to honor Sondra’s vision of introducing theatre to all children through deeper and more meaningful experiences across Portland and beyond.”