Oregon Children's Theatre Review

My daughter's been going since she was about 7 - she's 14 now. The classes have always been a really great experience for her. The teachers are chosen carefully and, as far as I can tell, really know their stuff. So the acting instruction is outstanding.

That said, the founders of OCT - and it seems all the staff and teachers - care first and foremost about how our young people grow up to be big people. The acting comes second to behavior, self-esteem, treatment of others, and so on. I can't say enough good things about the place.

My kids have had a few summers of wonderful experiences here, most recently in the improv class. The teachers are enthusiastic and each day upon returning from class my kids were energized and thrilled about their day. Good work

I spent 3 years participating in the Young Professional program, 6 main stage shows 1 YP show and working as a teaching assistant. The people who work here make your kids great, you great and the community great. Oregon Children's Theatre is outstanding!

Buying tickets with the Chinook Book coupon was such a hassle, we abandoned it. Then right at the last step of checkout, they upcharge you with a $5 "Order Fee". Plow through that bit of nonsense and you're entering your credit card information ... oh ... they have required fields for WAY TOO MANY THINGS.

The truth is, your cell phone number, your email address, your home address are not required to process a credit card payment. It's a violation of privacy, and something you should be able to opt out of. It's practices like this that lead your private information into being shared, bought, and sold. No thanks, I don't want to start receiving a bunch of random solicitations because I tried to go see a show with my kids.

So anyway, just the experience of trying to go to a show (Naked Mole Rate Gets Clothes) was harrowing enough that we never made it. 3 stars seems fair to me. I'm sure it's a lovely show, I'm sorry they ask for information they have no right to, and make it impossible to process a coupon they published.

My two daughters had a phenomenal experience in the classes for 4-7 year olds, and I can't say enough good things about Teacher Amy! Amy LaRosa is a total gem. It is rare to meet a teacher who is so well-versed in both theatre-making and child development. You either *get* where little ones are in their development, or you don't. Amy not only *gets* it, but she can meet them where they are and enter into that joyous, creative space with them.
She brought out wonderful confidence in both my girls. They are two very different little people, and I loved seeing how she approaches each kid in the class with kindness and respect for where they are in their growth. My 4 year old literally FLOATED out of class one time, and as we bounced around the neighborhood waiting for her older sister to be done, she said "Teacher Amy really knows FUN. She makes it SO FUN for us!" This from the little girl who has never enjoyed or even stuck it out through ANY class before. She loved being with Teacher Amy. She makes it a magical and substantive experience, and our family benefited.

I have taken many classes there and have never encountered anything but good times and fun people. I love the opportunities and that they give me and really really hope to come back as a YP.

The shows are always great. The crew and cast really care about putting on a solid show for the kids. Love everything about these people!

Fun small regional theater for families with kids to go see fun shows!

The instructors are phenomenal with all ages. Worth every penny.

I love attending OCT and would definitely recommend for anyone who loves acting!

Let me start by saying that this place has great qualities and they do try to do the best they can. I have seen wonderful things happen at this place. I wish this had been the case for my son when he went to the zombies and monsters class over the summer. I was told every day that he was 'doing great,' I was discouraged from sitting in to avoid distraction (okay, i get that). To my surprise on the day of the little skit I found his teacher 'picking on him. For parents this has happened to you know how heartbreaking it is. For others it will be dismissed as me wanting special treatment of my child. I wanted to burst into tears when after the third time she chastised my son for doing what three others were doing. This was in front of the audience, on the 'big day'. He loved the other kids and Andy. His teacher was K.H.
All in all i am sorry that I put my son in her class and I am even more sorry that after being told how great everything was going that I paid for another class. I hope everyone else has a better result. Maybe this teacher had some personal stuff going on that made her act like that. Maybe she just did not like my kid. I don't know. proceed with caution.

The plays that OCT puts on are, of course, fabulous. This review is for their summer camp for kids. My daughter had a fairly good time here: it was her first time having lines to learn, which was fun, and she liked the performance at the end. They don't go outside (nowhere to go), so I think the 1/2 day camp was a good option. The instructor did call my daughter a "tattletale" in front of other children, which upset her a lot (!), but I suspect that was just the one instructor.