2025 OCTA Youth Conference
Students who are age twelve through high school senior are eligible to partake in the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association’s Youth Conference. Youth Conference is a two day event in Enid, Oklahoma at the Gaslight Theatre. This conference is a two day intensive theatrical training workshop for performance and technical skills including auditioning, directing, acting, and much more, which will culminate with a Thursday 3:30 pm Showcase performance.
Each attendee will have the chance to select classes. (Not all selections will be guarenteed.) Classes include: Stage Combat for Beginners, How to Perform Improv, Introduction to Directing for Stage, Basics of Acting, How to Build a Musical Theatre Audition Song Book, Movement for Actors: What to Expect at a Dance Audition, The World of Dialects, Swing Dancing, On Camera Acting for Beginners, The World of Aesop’s Fables, Costuming, and Mask Making.
This year’s OCTA conference is in Enid, OK at the Gaslight Theatre. The youth conference is March 18 -20, 2025. The cost of attendance is $100, and this does not include lodging. If you need financial assistance please contact, info@oktheatre.org.
Conference Tuition – $100 (lodging not included)
- 2025 OCTA Youth Conference Tshirt
- 2 Tickets to the OCTA Youth Final Showcase
- Either a Makeup Kit or Tool Kit
2025 Registration
Deadline for Registration!
All forms are due by March 15, 2025. (T-shirts will be ordered on March 1, any registration after that date may not include a T-shirt).
Schedule of Events
Classes
Classes will be held at the
Gaslight Theatre
221 N Independence
Enid, OK 73071
Each attendee will have the chance to select classes. (Not all selections will be guarenteed.) All will participate in some form in the showcase.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18 (Optional)
7:00 PM – Enrollemnt
7:30 – 8:00 PM – Orientation
8:00 – 9:00 PM – Fun Evening / Games
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
8:30 AM – Registration Table Opens
8:45 AM – Orientation
9:00 AM – Stage Combat for Beginners OR Improv Comedy for Actors
10:20 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Introduction to Directing for Stage OR Basics of Acting
11:50 AM – LUNCH (Provided)
12:20 PM – Theatre Games
1:20 PM – Break
1:30 PM – Scence Study Class Directed by the Directing Class
2:50 PM – Break
3:00 PM – How to Build a Musical Theatre Audition Song Book OR The World of Dialects
4:20 PM – Break
4:30 PM – Movement for Actors: What to Expect at a Dance Audition OR Swing Dancing
6:00 PM – End of Day
6:30 PM – Fun Evening (Dinner provided) – Speakeasy Night
Welcome to Chicago in the 1920s, where prohibition is in full swing. Join us at our Speakeasy where you can find jazz singers, alcohol, fine dining, and murder. Help us find out who killed our boss as we wine and dine the night away, in our best Gatsby / Flapper attire! We encourage the audience to dress up, but it is not required.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20
8:30 AM – Doors Open
9:00 AM – On Camera Acting for Beginners OR Costuming
10:20 AM – Break
10:30 AM – The World of Aesop’s Fables OR Mask Making
11:50 AM – LUNCH (Provided)
12:30 PM – Diversity in Theatre – The Penguin Project
2:00 PM – Break
3:00 PM – House Opens for the OCTA Youth Camp Production
3:30 PM – OCTA Youth Camp Production
Camp photos to follow.
5:00 PM – End of Camp
Meet the Instructors
Peter Fischaber
Peter began performing stage combat at the Gaslight Theatre 19 years ago. He started studying it in earnest in 2013 with the Society of American Fight Directors, where he now holds the rank of Advanced Actor-Combatant and a certificate for theatrical firearms safety. He also received the SAFD’s Paddy Crean Award at the 2021 National Stage Combat Workshop. Now living in Oklahoma City, Peter has been a fight choreographer since 2017 for over 20 productions at theatres, high schools, and colleges around the state, in addition to teaching classes, from a single hour to a three-month series, for both adults and schools.
Stage Combat for Beginners
Learn techniques for the most common types of unarmed violence on stage, and how they show the general principles for creating a safe but convincing illusion of violence
Kate McLain
Kate McLain has been a performer and comedian since 2016, and an improv comedy teacher since 2018. She enjoys teaching just as much as performing, and has had the joy of getting to coach students of all ages. She is currently a member of the OKC Improv community, and you can catch her performing most weekends.
Improv Comedy for Actors
In this class, we will go over the most important principles of improv comedy and how the improv mindset can improve stage presence and confidence. Whether seeking comedic or dramatic roles, these principles can be used to dive deeper and inform more sustainable choices. Expect to laugh, play games, and walk away with skills applicable to whatever type of performance art you enjoy most!
Al Bostick
Al Bostick holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre, acting and directing, with additional master’s degree-level course credits in theatre. He has directed and performed his storytelling nationwide, including in educational settings. A Governor’s Arts Award winner for his work in education, as well as a recipient of a Citation of Excellence in the State, Bostick is an accomplished storyteller, playwright, actor, and director who pursues excellence. He believes all children can learn once they remove “I can’t” from their vocabulary in his work.,
Basics of Acting
Learn what you need to know before the show, how to rehearse and bring the page to the stage.
Ashley J. Mandanas
Ashley has been performing (and auditioning) professionally for over two decades. With a OU BFA in Musical Theatre, Ashley brings not only a formal education to the table, but a lived-experience across several different markets nation-wide. An instructor in acting, singing, and dance, Ashley cherishes the opportunity to share valuable knowledge with the next generation of stars.
How to Build Your Audition Songbook
What to Expect at a Dance Call
Julie Tattershall
Masters in Human Relations from OU Directed Orbit Senior Citizens “Guys and Dolls” with Jeremy Stevens. Retired Artisic Director for Clark and Heller Theatre Touring original production of ‘Aesop Afoot’ 2012 Mary Kay Place Legacy Award for lifetime achievement to Tulsa Theatre Community 2014 Hall of Honor from OCTA.
Swing Dance
World of Aesop Fables
Cadence Cloud
Cadence Cloud is an actress, comedian, and educator based in Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Acting from Oklahoma City University. She grew up performing at Red Carpet Community Theater and served as a board member for the Junior Actors Guild. Cadence attended the OCTA Youth Conference as a young performer and is excited to return as an instructor. Currently, she works as a comedian with The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery and is represented by Manga Talent Agency. Cadence has booked several commercials and modeling gigs and serves on the OCTA board. She’s passionate about supporting Oklahoma’s theater community and looks forward to teaching at the Youth Conference.
World of Dialects
On Camera Acting
Learn key skills like framing, audio, hitting marks, and working with readers. Whether you’re new to acting or looking to improve, this class will help you feel more confident on camera.
Tiphani Henderson
Tiphani has been involved in theatre since the age of 4 and loves working with the UPUT and the Sagebrush Penguin Project. She received the Oklahoma Community Theatre Volunteer Award in 2012, has a BA in Theatre Performance, is a three-time Irene Ryan Nominee for acting, and has worked professionally in Oklahoma and Texas in Stage Management, Costuming, Box Office, and Directing. Tiphani is currently the Director of Untitled Pop Up Theatre, the President of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association, and the owner of Behind the Seams, a local costume shop. Directing Credits include Small Mouth Sounds with UPUT, Legally Blonde: The Musical with RCCT, Back to the 80’s with Duncan Little Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof with Shortgrass Playhouse, Hobart. Costuming credits include a PBS credit for her work on Dido and Aeneas with the University of Oklahoma Opera Company and Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, and Beauty and the Beast with Lyric Theatre, OKC.
Directing for the Stage
Costuming
Mask Making
Scholarship Opportunity
OCTA does offer scholarships for the Youth Conference.
Deadline for scholarship is March 1, 2025
Applicants will need a letter of recommendation from a school/church/organization official.
Scholarship Recipient will be notified by email upon receipt of scholarship.
Hotel Information
Recommended Lodging:
GLō Best Western Enid
123 W Maine St.
Enid, OK 73701
The hotel offers an OCTA group rate which includes a full complimentary breakfast. Book a room by calling the front desk at (580) 540-4172. Or click the Link below. The cut-off date for this rate will be February 20, 2025.
