In the late ’90s, friends Dennis Foster and Jeff Tabler observed that there were few opportunities for youths to take a deep dive in the theater arts. Offerings were limited in most school settings.

It inspired them to found the Oregon Conservatory for Performing Arts in 1998, which is now the longest-running teen and children’s theater program in the Rogue Valley.

OCPA is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The 2023 summer camp is being held at the Jacksonville Community Center, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 19-30.

Foster says when they started OCPA there was no one addressing the need — and more so, the desire — of students in the public school system for additional pre-professional or professional training in theater arts.

“When we first opened, we found 30 interested, exceptionally talented and passionate instructors in the valley. But we offered too much, too soon. So, we narrowed our offerings to summer camps for pre-teens and teens,” he said. The program now concentrates on kids ages 7-12.

Tabler, a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and with a degree in cinema from Ithaca College, serves as the artistic director. He has been involved in film and theater for more than 40 years as a teacher, director, writer, producer, and actor.

Foster has a bachelor’s degree in education from Portland State University, with master’s coursework in theater production at Central Washington University. He has more than 20 years of experience in theater as a director, producer and actor, and serves as OCPA board president.

Although students get the chance to perform, the emphasis at OCPA is on teaching the process rather than the product of theater — from understanding the text to rehearsing and staging a show. Students learn how professionalism, camaraderie and teamwork combine for successful theater.

“We focus on skill transference and the celebration of that,” Foster said, “versus promoting a title show with rehearsals focused only on the quality of the final performance.”

OCPA believes that building skill sets first will give students the tools they need to excel down the line.

The camp and the organization’s work are funded by a group of granting partners who support OCPA’s mission.

The program has evolved over the years, from rotating monthly classes to mini-three-day intensive instruction camps to full spring break and often multiple summer camp offerings.

Students have earned certificates of initial mastery in the program and, later, certificates of advanced mastery, which are validated by Foster and instructors for use in applications to college or to professional training programs.

After 150 hours of participation, initial mastery certificates can be earned in theater basics (terminology, safety, etiquette), basics of singing, improvisation, and character development.

After 300 hours, advanced mastery certificates can be earned in auditioning, vocal technique, acting, improvisation, scene work, stage movement, character development, theater history and theater literature.

Students have also earned certificates in the technical arts, such as management and leadership, stagehand work, property management and building, light and sound, costume management, and more.

Board members and some support positions are volunteer jobs. Most all camp instructors and support personnel are paid.

Foster says OCPA has no difficulty in recruiting artists and teachers for the program.

“I have always believed, after my experience as a teacher trainer in the public school system, that if we offered local artists the opportunity to teach, they would be interested. And they are,” he said.

He finds instructors from among the large pool of artists working for Oregon Shakespeare Festival and other Rogue Valley theater companies, as well as from talented people living in the area.

OCPA offers scholarships based on need, awarding up to 10 a year. Instructions on how to apply can be found on the organization’s website, oregonconservatory.org.

Helping OCPA meet its goals are collaborations and partnerships with other valley organizations. Among them are OSF, Rogue Community College, Medford Public Schools, Kids Unlimited, and the YMCA, to name a few.

Foster says OCPA measures its success not only on progress made by enrollees of the camps, but also in repeat enrollments and tracking graduates as they advance to college or advanced professional training.

“We also have a parent and participant survey program to provide detailed feedback on all our programs for both internal and grantor tracking,” he said.

With the youngsters taken care of, OCPA is hoping to restart its Senior Theater Program this fall. That’s seniors as in ages 55 and up. It was suspended because of the pandemic.

“We also will return to year-round class offerings and mini-theater camps in collaboration with our partner, Collaborative Theatre Project in Medford,” Foster said.

For more information about OCPA programs and to add your support, go to oregonconservatory.org.