"I would not be the person I am today without Oregon Children's Theatre."

Oregon Children's Theatre's award-winning Young Professionals Company is made up of dedicated teens who seek advanced training through exposure to a wide range of college-level workshops, professional development, resources, and information. Through this program OCT encourages teens to learn and grow not only as theatre professionals but also as individuals, developing self-confidence and collaborative skills needed to pursue their goals.

Irie Page, a former YP on her way to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, credits her success to the skills she learned during her time with Oregon Children's Theatre.

"OCT was a second home to me growing up and will always have a special place in my heart. As a Young Professional, I was afforded the privilege to train and explore artistically within a caring and compassionate community. OCT gave me lasting relationships that I treasure even after moving away from Portland. More than anything, OCT gave me the confidence and skills to believe in myself and pursue further drama training and a performance career. I can say without a shadow of a doubt I would not be the person I am today without my training at Oregon Children's Theatre. 

I deeply believe that theatre for young audiences is transformative. I attended family shows at OCT from an early age, and those memories are lasting as one of the first times I fell in love with theatre. The value of an arts education cannot be overstated, and OCT plays a critical role in providing accessible youth theatre education and family entertainment for the greater Portland community. Generations of young people and their families have benefited from the invaluable work of OCT and I am forever grateful to have been among those transformed by the power of children's theatre."

Irie Page alongside other members of the Young Professionals Company in Twelfth Night, May 2022.

Do you want to help support OCT, our Young Professionals Company, and other other programming? Ticket sales only fund a fraction of our work. Make a donation today: