NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION
OYES’ programs will take place at our new “home-base” location in downtown Ojai, CA. Summer performances will be held at Matilija Auditorium, Ojai CA.
SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO & JULIET
A bold and contemporary production of one of Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedies, directed by Casey Robbins (Director/Educator of OYES' A Midsummer Night's Dream (2023), and The Tempest (2024). This intensive offers students a chance to dive deep into classical text, develop strong ensemble and character work, and bring this timeless story to life on stage!
Four-Week Summer Theater Intensive
TEEN CAST (Ages 13-17)
• Classical Text
• Marie Overlie Viewpoints Technique
• Laban Efforts of Movement (Character Development)
• Stage Combat & Sword Fighting
• Ensemble Building
Ages 13–17 (older or younger students accepted at the discretion of the director)
Maximum participants: 20
Tuition: $650
Program Dates
June 23 – July 20
Schedule
Week 1:
Auditions: June 23–24 by appointment (self tape auditions will be accepted)
Callbacks by appointment: Wed, June 25 (subject to change)
Thu-Fri, June 26-27, 9am-4pm
Saturday, June 28: 9am–2pm
Week 2:
Mon-Thu, June 30–July 3, 9am–4pm
Week 3:
July 7–11, 1pm–5pm
Saturday, July 12: 9am–2pm
Week 4 – Tech Week: July 14–17, 1pm–9pm (Dinner Break: 5pm–6pm)
Performances: July 18, 19, 20
Outdoor venue UPDATE: Due to anticipated heat wave, performances will be held at Matilija Auditorium (not Oak Grove School)
Vision
In OYES’ Young Actors Ensemble production of Romeo and Juliet, the classic tale of love and loss unfolds in a world reshaped by post-apocalyptic strife. Set among the ruins of a once-thriving civilization, this reimagined Verona reflects a broken society struggling to rebuild meaning and connection. The fractured landscape—rusted remnants, collapsed structures, and scattered traces of former life—mirrors the divisions between the Montagues and Capulets, and the desperate hope clung to by two young hearts.
In this world, love becomes an act of rebellion, and Shakespeare’s timeless language rings out with new urgency. Our youth cast steps fully into a story where tenderness survives amid chaos, and the simple belief in something better becomes a radical act.
Advisory Note: Romeo and Juliet includes mature themes such as death (including suicide), alcohol consumption, romance (with a kiss between Romeo and Juliet), and the concept of child marriage (as Juliet is 13 and Paris is significantly older). While all references to sexual assault have been removed from the script, the issue of Juliet's age and the implications of her marriage to Paris will be handled with sensitivity and subtlety. We encourage parental discretion and advise families to review the material in advance.
Characters
Romeo
Montague, his father
Lady Montague, his mother
Benvolio, their kinsman
Abram, a Montague servingman
Balthasar, Romeo’s servingman
Juliet
Capulet, her father
Lady Capulet, her mother
Nurse to Juliet
Tybalt, kinsman to the Capulets
Petruchio, Tybalt’s companion
Capulet’s Cousin
Sampson
Gregory
Peter
servingmen
Other Servingmen
Escalus, Prince of Verona
Paris, the Prince’s kinsman and Juliet’s suitor
Mercutio, the Prince’s kinsman and Romeo’s friend
Paris’ Page
Friar Lawrence
Friar John
Apothecary
Three or four Citizens
Three Musicians
Three Watchmen
Chorus
Attendants, Maskers, Torchbearers, a Boy with a drum, Gentlemen, Gentlewomen, Tybalt’s Page, Servingmen.
Participation Policies
We know it is a big commitment of your time, trust and resources – to register your student for an OYES program. Please review the information below before registering!
ABOUT AUDITIONS
Auditions help our directors assign roles for the show. All participants to registered for the program receive a role in the production. Audition materials will be provided on our website. Remember, we are rooting for you!
About Casting
Please do not expect to play a lead. Our goal is to provide participants the tools they need to participate in an ensemble, and have a fantastic time learning and growing in this group process. We aim to provide as much stage time as possible to every participant, and encourage our cast members to be part of an ensemble group no matter what role they are cast to play. We’re here to enjoy the experience! The casting process takes into consideration various factors including presentations at audition, experience, training, passion, growth, commitment to rehearsals and practice, roles previously played, and last but definitely not least, the chemistry of the cast over all. Please encourage your child to embrace their casting, and remember, there are no small parts!
SHARED ROLES - Some roles will be SHARED ROLES (actors share a role. The role is performed by each actor for 2 performances. The other 2 performances are ensemble roles).
TUITION
Tuition fees are due at the time of registration. Payable in one or two payments.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
Resources are committed to staffing, licensing/royalties, and materials, well before a program takes place. All tuition, deposits, and installment payments are, generally speaking, non-refundable. To avoid disappointment later, please fully review the following policy details:
You may cancel your program participation any time before the program begins, however, your cancellation must be received in writing within 48 hours of registration to receive a cash refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. After the 48-hour grace period, you may receive a refund (minus the $25 fee) in the form of an account credit to be used toward future OYES programming.
If there are not enough students enrolled in a class, OYES reserves the right to cancel the class and provide a full cash refund.
There are no refunds or credits for missed classes. No refunds should a class be cancelled due to circumstances beyond OYES’ control (natural disaster, pandemic, etc.).
VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT
All participants must have a Volunteer Representative for the production! Parents or Guardians sign up for one or more Volunteer roles -- from Leadership Opportunities, to easy one-time-only spots. Volunteers will be needed for set-building, painting, poster distribution, costume fittings, props and sewing, box-office, concessions, and chaperoning actors backstage during performance weekends.
Absences & Conflicts
Each cast member is permitted a maximum of 2 planned absences (conflicts) for the Summer Session.
All participants will complete a "conflict form" prior to casting. A conflict form with all planned absences is required before the first rehearsal. All conflicts must be added by Auditions. Additional conflicts may only be added with permission from the Director.
Conflicts provided at Auditions are considered “excused”. Unplanned absences are not excused.
Emergency or Sick-Days are excused.
Unavailability for rehearsals can seriously affect rehearsal planning! We can not add conflicts later. All conflicts are due before the first rehearsal. The rehearsal schedule will be set and all actors will be expected to attend as planned. If the actor misses a rehearsal that is planned around their scheduled availability, it is the actors responsibility to "catch up". Private rehearsal time with the directors is $45/hr.
PLEASE NOTE All OYES rehearsals/classes for all ages are closed, “drop-off” classes. There will be no parent/friend observation or participation in any class at any time. Classes provide final showcases or fully-staged public performances for this purpose).
REGISTRATION
Tuition
2 Payments: 50% of tuition fee due registration. Use discount code PAY2 to split the fee into 2 installments. You will receive an invoice for the second payment, which will be due by June 15th.
— OR —
1 payment: 100% of tuition fee (due at registration)
Shakespeare Costume Fee $35 (due by auditions). The costume fee includes costume attire, accessories, masks, props, wigs, stage make-up/paint. Does not include shoes or undergarments.
DISCOUNTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
OYES is working hard towards our goal of providing expanded access to our programs through the scholarship process. As we work to fully re-establish our scholarship funding through grants and fundraising resources, we ask that you consider our payment plan options prior to applying for a scholarship to help with tuition fee costs. We welcome scholarship applications for those in need.
Scholarships: To begin your scholarship application please email admin@oyespresents.org
Sibling Discount: 10% – when two or more siblings are registered for the same program, or for programs taking place in the same semester. Applicable to all registered siblings in the same program/semester. Email admin@oyespresents.org
Registration opening soon.
[Registration dates have moved. See below]
Registration portal opens Monday, April 28th at 10am.
If a program is full, please add your student to the waiting list at the link below.
