Founded originally by Rebecca Locklear as "Central Oregon Homeschool Choir" back in one of the decades ending in "-ies," then expanding into "History Performers," Ovation Performing Arts continues the twenty plus year legacy of serving Christ and families with acting, singing, dance classes, and theatrical productions.
We at OPA love grand spectacles of dry ice and live orchestra, backflips and four-part harmonies as much as anyone, but our greater passion is developing the actor. We never produce a show without tons of ensemble work and principal opportunities. For us, there's no triumph greater than our young actors' triumphs, braving that traumatizing first audition, stepping into self-confidence and stage-command, and one day blowing us away, nailing that callback, and landing that big role. We work hard, laugh harder, handwrite our bios in the margins of a ripped-out page of script during rehearsal the day they're due, lose sleep all tech week, sing showtunes off-stage with our mics still on, sometimes put our costumes back on their hangers, and give really big hugs. Many young actors have called OPA family, made life-long friendships, and come back for more "trauma bonding" year after year.
Traditionally our rehearsals have been during regular school hours so we call ourselves a "homeschool theatre" but we don't turn anyone away.
Ovation Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Jonathan's last appearance onstage was "The Oregon Trail" in the 4th grade. His lines were, "Yeee-haw!" and the lyrics to "Home on the Range." He graduated with a bachelors in music.
For many years a weird adopted uncle of the theatre community by way of music, after ten years of fake-it-till-you-make-it directing and twenty of piano teaching, Jonathan thinks he's mature enough to tell kids and sometimes adults what to do.
A passionate teacher, director, producer, and sometimes playwright/composer, Jonathan has served OPA since 2014 as executive director, director, musical director, and has basically worn all the hats that don't sew or dance.
Vreyah is no stranger to the stage; she’s been involved in theatre for over 25 years. She started at a young age performing in more shows than she can count and then moved on to work as a stage manager, assistant producer, director, assistant director, backstage crew, and even spent a few years writing co-writing shows for one-week drama intensives.
Vreyah’s theatre journey began thanks to her homeschool program, so she’s always had a special love for theatre programs that catered to God and homeschoolers.
Finding OPA has been an absolute God-send! She’s is most thankful to God and Jonathan for giving her the opportunity to do some of her favorite things: working with young people to learn and grow in their theatrical endeavors in a Christ-focused environment.
Andrea Garner is a mother to 5 girls and has been married to her husband since 2000. She has a degree in Early Childhood with an emphasis in Child development. She has worked as a Preschool Teacher, Children's Pastor, and worked alongside her husband as Youth Pastors.
Her journey into the world of theater began when one of her daughters auditioned for her first show 8 years ago. Soon the whole family was hooked! In 2018 she began working For Journey Theater Arts Group , in Vancouver Washington, as a show coordinator. She coordinated 8 shows in her time there. In 2020 Andrea and her family moved to Central Oregon. It took some time for them to find OPA, but they are so glad they did! She is passionate about supporting families and students with the love of Christ and so blessed to be able to do that for families of OPA as the Show Coordinator.
Cece spent about five years in the audience, watching show after show, before the need to be behind the scenes took over. Her joy is to support, watch and dance in the wings as these performers soar.
Cece has been blessed to work with OPA since 2022. She helps cultivate an atmosphere where the actors and actresses feel safe and challenged. She also helps keep the shows realistic when Jonathan and the cast start to dream big! She is always enthusiastic to see each cast come, meet, grow and become family together over the course of a show.
Lisha Fine has always loved playing dress up. She also loves finding old treasures at thrift shops. Costuming for OPA has blended these two passions into a most beautiful occupation of her time. Lisha has found an unexpected home for her creativity in the background of children’s theater. She spent much of her teen years on the stage at her local theater in Zimbabwe, Africa, where she grew up. Being around the songs, laughter and drama of this group of kids makes her want to work hard to make them look as fantastic as possible. This is the seventh production that Lisha has costumed for, and her fourth with OPA.
Teaming up with OPA since winter of 2019, Nathan enjoys photographing the shows for the participant’s fond memories. Nathan has been working with sound for the last 30 years and lights for the last 15 years with training around the country. He's also worked for Bend-La Pine schools and Redmond schools as an auditorium director since 2011.
Brian and Carol Stewart have been helping with the set design, construction, and painting of OPA sets since 2022. They enjoy being parents outside of sets and hope to be able to help OPA more in the future.
