Testimonials

Letters By Students

“What OYES Has Meant to Me

By Clio Calvin (2023)

I participated in my first OYES production when I was in fourth grade. Once I outgrew the musical theater program, I was a member of tech crew for several productions, and most recently served as the assistant choreographer and house manager for OYES' 2023 summer camp. Heading off to college to study theater this year, I have been reflecting on how formative this community has been for me.

I credit OYES not only with sparking my love of theater and performance, but for strengthening my confidence and capabilities in communication, professionalism, empathy, self-exploration, hard work, and collaboration. In giving me the opportunity to play so many different characters, both on and off the stage, OYES ultimately helped me find myself among all those roles. OYES continually gives me opportunities to be in the space where I'm most inspired and most me, a theater---something I can't thank them enough for.”

“OYES has helped me become the best version of me I can be…

By W. Stafford (2020)

The Ojai Youth Entertainment Studio is an acting group for children and adolescents to express their emotions through theater. I am one of those adolescents. I joined OYES around two years ago with the operetta "The Pirates of Penzance" The acceptance into a theater production is very straightforward; all you have to do is sing, read some lines, and dance. These steps require preparation.

However, I was not prepared for the positive effect that acting would have on my personality.

In school, I am somewhat of an oddball, seeing as there are not many other students as inclined to acting as I am. The people at OYES, however, are very drawn to acting. I am allowed to let my true self roam over the plains of mystery.

These productions have had a significant impact on my social skills. Before I joined OYES, I would often babble on and on, and not let anyone else get a word in edgewise. But, in OYES, l've learned about dialogue and character development and how it affects the show and the actor. Knowing this, I became more self-aware of my droning on. I now let other people express their opinions as well. This attentiveness has increased my circle of friends and my social skills.

In OYES, we are encouraged to think outside the box and make the character our own which allows us to use our creativity. With everyone adding their own little bits of creativity, the show becomes drastically better, because without changing the characters a little bit, performance is no more more exciting than reading the script. But at OYES, they allow us to sprinkle in little bits of our personality into our characters, making the character more likable and the show more entertaining.

To make a long story short, OYES has changed my life. It has given me friends, it has helped me express who I truly am, and I am so passionate about acting, it has opened a career path for me. OYES has helped me become the best version of me I can be.”

- W. Stafford, Student

“Dear Daena and Casey,

I wrote this letter to tell you how much I appreciate OYES and everyone working there. This week I started this theater program here in Connecticut. My mom and I tried to find the one most like OYES but it's so hard because nothing is like it… I wish was there with them and with you guys' I hope someday if I am ever in a movie, TV show or any acting job I would bring everything that both of you have taught me through the years and share it with all the people that are with me because you two are't just any theater teachers, you are smart, funny, kind, generous and most of all you are Daena and Casey.

I remember my first play with OYES, it was Peter Pan and I was Wendy. I was so exited because it was my first play and I had the best teacher in the world. Sorry Casey you come in later. Then we did James and the Giant Peach and I was James and I forgot all my line so that definitely taught me a lesson. After that there was How to Eat like a Child and that's where Casey comes in! It was nice to not do a fairy tale. The Magic Tree House play. That was really fun when I got to sing Treasure. There was also The Wizared of Oz which was one of my favorite plays. I really liked playing Glinda and that dress was amazing. Finally there was Cinderella. I loved being Cinderella. I think that was the best I have acted in a play.

The day we where getting our roles for The Wizared of Oz, Casey told this story about how it was his/your first play and it was also the Wizard of Oz and Casey/ your director was asking everyone what they want't to be and she said who wants to be the scarecrow and you where the only person who raised their hand. A week later they were telling everyone their roles and Casey/you did't get the scarecrow. And that really stuck in my head, I think about it every time I audition and get my role.

Daena you have been there for every question and wondering I have had. You have been there for all the hard feelings I have at OYES. You were there for when got Cinderella and all my other roles. And I hope that you can be there for all the roles I get.

I can't wait to get back to Ojai and keep working with both of you! Oh and I have a suggestion for when Iget home can we do the Little Marmaid please but only when get home? Oh and Ijust learned I am going to be Grace in Annie! So i wil be preparing for that with all I've learned at OYES.

Sent with love, sadness, happiness and all the emotion”

-Sasha Garrison AKA cinderella, Glenda, Morgan Lafay, James, and Wendy (2023)

Parents public comment letters to Ojai Unified in support of our facility use agreement:

5/14/25 Jennifer Keeler- I just wanted to say that I’m very happy that OUSD is allowing OYES to use their space. I have two daughters who are currently in seventh and eighth grade and they have been a part of OYES since they were in first and second grade. It has absolutely changed their lives. It’s given them both so much confidence and a passion for singing and being on stage! Also, the staff crew is magical. I believe it is one of the best programs in the Ojai Valley. I’m hoping it can find a new forever home send that many more generations of students can be a part of this incredible program. Thank you again to Ojai USD for allowing them to use the space for now at least. I’m very grateful.

5/14/25 Scott Pemberton - Ojai has been so lucky to have had the Oyes program available to kids throughout the valley. Performing on-stage in front of a live audiencenof friends, family, peers and strangers builds confidence and teaches so many life skills they will utilize throughout their lives. The community shows up to volunteer and to support the kids and they are also presented with a truly excellent production every single time. From the performers, choreographers, tech crew, voice coaches, producer and director, this is an excellent program and a great value for those lucky enough to participate. The Ojai valley has a rich theater community with great productions put on by the Nordhoff theater department and the Ojai Art Center. These programs benefit hugely from the Oyes program. Kids have a huge head start and are able to find their passion for performing at an early age. The OUSD and the Ojai Valley community need to rally around this program to get it back on its feet and help find a permanent home any way we can. Please support Daena and Oyes in any way you can.

5/14/25 Amy Joy Marshall - Hello OUSD, my name is Amy Joy Marshall and I am an Ojai Valley parent. Our family has been part of the amazing OYES community since our daughter was about 4 years old (now 12). OYES has been such a vital part of her life over the years, like a second home to her where she can shine and thrive. A natural born artist, she feels so much connection being with other artists and feeling free to grow and learn through the arts and theater. Her confidence has grown, her skill set, her tenacity, and community connection all through her participation with OYES. She feels a hole in her heart where OYES used to be, not knowing if they will find a new place to call home and continue putting on amazing professional productions. OYES is a NEED in our community! We are both writing today to show our HUGE support for OYES in their pursuit for a new home base for our kids to learn, perform, and thrive together. Thank you in advance for your consideration!

2015-2020

"The experience of being part of a production at OYES is similar to that of being part of a sports team. Children learn that each role is important, no matter how small. Each person has to do their best to support the show...  For my high-energy son, OYES has given him a place where his high energy is valued and encouraged, not stymied, building his confidence. I have witnessed the value OYES provides other families. I’ve seen children with speech issues get leading roles, and while onstage, they transform from a shy hesitant kid to a princess or to the king of the sea. I’ve seen OYES provide a place for children with physical challenges, such as cerebral palsy, to use their bodies and voices to transport an audience to other lands full of magic and love. When I watch the productions at OYES, my eyes fill with tears of pride for not only my children, but for others’ children, knowing the hard work and courage that is behind each performance, big or small, and how that child’s life will never be the same. At OYES, children from all walks of life are brought together."

- Debora Kirkland (Ojai, CA)

"My daughter has learned so much from this program. She's now confident speaking in front of a huge room of strangers, she can memorize a long monologue and speak it with ease, she's built community with kids of all ages and all walks of life. She's learned patience and the pay off of hard work. Daena and the rest of the staff give so much of themselves, their free time and their love to the children.

OYES has been an essential part of the Ojai Community and offers a wonderful alternative to the Art Center Programs for families who cannot dedicate every evening for rehearsals and multiple weekends for performances. We are so blessed that our children have the opportunity to participate in such a world class program while not giving up their time for homework, play and other activities."

- Liesel Rigsby (Ojai, CA)

"OYES is a wonderful part of the performing arts tradition of this community. The professionalism of their productions is always astounding to me. My daughter has been performing with them for several years and watching her growth has been a real treat. They are not only teaching her indispensable skills with regard to performance and public speaking, but they are providing a venue where she can be surrounded by other children performing a wholesome extracurricular activity."

Matthew Auric (Ojai, CA)

"Without OYES, my son would have had very little or no exposure to acting and music at his age. I have been enrolling my son in the program continually for 6 years now and he absolutely loves it. The people who run the program really care about the children involved and work to nurture each child’s individual talents. They work incredibly hard to make the theater experience as educational and positive as possible for the children, while inspiring creativity and a love for theater arts. I have not encountered an afterschool program as wonderful, caring, and beneficial as the program at OYES." 

- Pamela Fetter (Ojai, CA)