Olympic Theatre Arts has enjoyed a groundswell of community support for the center’s Children’s Theatre Program this year.

Kitsap Bank has been a regular supporter of the youth education program for five years in a row, but decided to double this year’s support for 2018.

“We like to support the Children’s Theatre because we’re kids at heart,” Cindy Bacon of Kitsap Bank said.

“It’s fun to watch the kids perform, and it’s a good thing for them to get out there and to get on stage and get ready for the real world.”

While this fall’s Olympic Theatre Arts Children’s Theatre (OTACT) “Building Character” workshop students were performing at the Grand Olympics Chorus’ Harvest of Harmony in late October, the hat was passed around and collected more than $200 for the kids.

“It was wonderful – it made me cry!” OTACT instructor Sarah Tucker said. “The kids are stunningly bright. Several students have told me that the class is a safe, creative place they like coming to. I love being involved in this.”

The Seattle Foundation awarded Olympic Theatre Arts an $8,000 grant for youth programming in September.

“That award was another affirmation that our youth program is worthy of support,” OTACT founder Bonne Smith said.

“It provides our students with opportunities to experience how to be outstanding in their community. For this we are very grateful and thankful that we live in a community that sees and supports a future for our youth,” she said.

“We have received such tremendous support for our children’s theatre program since its inception in 2014,” OTA Executive Director Carol Willis said.

“With the recent funding we have received we will be able to provide further outreach into the community and build resources to enable these young thespians the opportunity to fully express themselves through this marvelous craft,” she said. “When our children are educated, empowered and collaborative we all benefit.”

OTA’s Children’s Theater program uses entertainment to further education by honing skills and confidence in storytelling, Smith said.

“Audience and actor experience the story together; this builds community,” Smith said.

“For child actors, they witness the audience accept the story, their character, hear their voice. It’s a beautiful affirmation. Behind the curtain, our youth productions and classes have built confidence and fostered growth in skills which we have the privilege of demonstrating through staging plays, showcases, original works and outreach into our community.”