There’s More to Theatre Than the Spotlight.
At Outside the Box Theatre, we believe every student has a place in theatre.
Maybe that place is center stage. Maybe it’s behind a lighting console, on headset calling a show, building scenery, designing costumes, running sound, or helping lead a production. Maybe students come to OTB knowing exactly what they want to do—or maybe they discover something they never knew they loved.
That’s what OTB is all about.
We give students the opportunity to explore the entire world of theatre through hands-on experiences, real production responsibilities, and a community that encourages them to try something new.
What Is OTB?
Outside the Box Theatre is a youth theatre education organization serving students through hands-on performance and technical theatre training. Our programs give students the opportunity to explore acting, directing, design, construction, stage management, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and more.
Students don’t just watch theatre. They make it.
ONSTAGE
ONSTAGE
Step into the spotlight and bring stories to life.
Develop your skills as a performer while learning what it takes to create a character, tell a story, and work as part of an ensemble.
Explore:
Acting • Musical Theatre • Dance • Character Development • Audition Skills
TECHNICAL THEATRE
TECHNICAL THEATRE
Learn the skills that make every production possible.
Theatre doesn’t happen without the people behind the scenes. OTB students get hands-on experience with the technology and skills that bring a production to life.
Explore:
Lighting • Sound • Stage Management • Props • Costumes • Projection & Medials.
LEAD
LEADERSHIP
Grow your confidence. Lead a team. Make an impact.
As students gain experience, they can take on greater responsibility within OTB. From crew leadership to stage management and our CIT program, students have opportunities to learn how to lead others.
Explore:
Crew Leaders •Student Leadership •Stage Managers • CIT Program • Teaching Opportunities
BEHIND THE BUILD
Build it. Design it. Create it.
Every production needs people who can turn ideas into something real. Students can learn the hands-on skills involved in creating the physical world of a production.
Explore:
Scenic Construction • Props Building • Costume Construction • Painting & Crafting • Set Decoration
MORE THAN ONE SIDE OF THE CURTAIN
At OTB, students aren’t required to choose between being a performer and being a technician.
An actor can learn lighting.
A stage manager can learn to perform.
A technician can discover a passion for design.
A student who has never been onstage can become an essential part of the production.
We believe understanding the whole theatre makes students better artists, better teammates, and better leaders.
LEARN BY DOING
The best way to learn theatre is to actually make theatre.
Our students don’t just sit in classrooms learning about production. They put their skills to work.
They rehearse.
They build.
They design.
They operate equipment.
They solve problems.
They collaborate.
They perform.
They lead.
And sometimes, they make mistakes.
That’s okay.
Theatre is a collaborative art form, and learning how to adapt, communicate, and solve problems is just as important as learning the technical skills themselves.
THE OTB STUDENT JOURNEY
EXPLORE
Try something new.
Students are encouraged to experience different areas of theatre and discover where their interests take them.
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LEARN
Build real skills.
Students receive hands-on instruction from theatre professionals and experienced educators.
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CREATE
Put those skills to work.
Students become part of real productions and gain experience creating theatre together.
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LEAD
Take responsibility.
As students gain experience, they can step into leadership positions and help guide other students.
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GIVE BACK
Teach the next generation.
Experienced OTB students have the opportunity to become mentors, CITs, and eventually members of the OTB production team.
THE TECH MASTERY PROGRAM
Earn Your Stripes.
Technical theatre is a huge part of the OTB experience.
Through our Tech Mastery Program, students can explore different backstage disciplines and work toward demonstrating proficiency in each area.
From lighting and sound to stage management, scenery, props, costumes, and more, students aren’t simply told how something works.
They learn how to do it.
As students develop their skills, they earn recognition for the areas they’ve mastered—building confidence, experience, and a foundation they can carry into future productions.