OJAI PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION

OPAT Core Values
1. Artistic Excellence Through Professional Collaboration
We maintain professional standards by uniting working industry professionals with local talent. Our productions demand more than enthusiasm – they require skill, training, and artistic vision. We reject the notion that small-town theater means lower standards. Instead, we bring professional theater home to Ojai. We do this by:
 Casting Broadway veterans alongside prepared local performers
 Hiring working professionals to be a part of the creative team
 Implementing industry-standard production protocols backstage and in rehearsal

2. Cultivation of Local Talent
We invest in local artists by sponsoring professional training opportunities beyond our valley. When these artists return, they enrich our productions and community programs, creating a continuous cycle of growth. This long-view strategy strengthens Ojai’s artistic ecosystem – ensuring professional knowledge flows back into our community. We do this by:
 Offering scholarships for advanced professional training
 Partnering with theater companies for artist exchanges

3. Deep Community Roots
We create theater that connects with and contributes to our community. Our work both celebrates and challenges Ojai – respecting local values while expanding horizons and introducing diverse perspectives. We believe professional theater should be accessible to our community while also inspiring growth and exploration. We do this by:
 Producing shows that connect with Ojai’s environmental values and community priorities
 Creating outreach programs that bring theater to underserved local populations
 Partnering with local organizations to enhance community wellbeing through theater
 Selecting works that both reflect and challenge our community, expanding conversations and perspectives

4. Integrity in Stewardship
We steward OPAT’s resources with clarity and care. Every dollar is spent in service of the work and the artists who make it. We prioritize fair pay, sustainable budgets, and open communication – ensuring OPAT remains a thriving artistic home for years to come. We do this by:
 Publishing clear financial reports accessible to stakeholders
 Maintaining diverse revenue streams – tickets, grants, donations, and partnerships
 Ensuring all artists are fairly compensated
 Allocating funds for both immediate impact and long-term sustainability
 Building reserves for creative risk-taking and organizational health

These values are not just theoretical. They shape every decision we make and action we take – what we produce, how we fund it, who we partner with, and how we define success in Ojai.
These values are how we bring our motto to life: Everyone Plays a Part.