OPA has been a great place for my daughter to call "home". My daughter gets to be a part of dance and theater with this organization. DANCE: My daughter is a part OPA's Disney Dance Team. This is a team of dancers that range in ability from beginner to expert and they get to travel to Disney with their friends and teammates and receive training at a Disney facility with a Broadway Director. Just like other dance teams, school organizations, bands, etc, our girls get to perform at Disney for not only their parents and team families but for anyone there! We are all excited about this upcoming trip to spend time with our team families, our own families, enjoy all the treats that a Disney vacation can offer and just have a lot of fun. This trip combines family time, organized group and team activities, training, performance and Disney. In addition to the Disney Dance Team, my daughter gets to be on the Winter Dance Team, this team is for experienced dancers and is most definitely NOT a competition team. For this I am extremely thankful. When I watch my daughter perform with her team for any group no matter how large or small - sometimes it is just us parents and fans, sometimes it is a group of children who are very poor and wouldn't normally get to see performances like this (they think our girls are celebrities - and ask for autographs), or older audiences, community members or maybe a thank you show at a local establishment that has helped OPA through out the years, I see a joy radiate from not only my daughter but from so many of these very talented children and young adults. This is very moving and touching. I have a very hard time not tearing up. Watching these kids create and interpret their art and their passion is incredible. OPA is a troop of performers and this is where they are strongest, in performing. OPA doesn't compete, no "dance mom" type situation here. Thank goodness! My daughter is also a dance student at OPA and having been to other studios I can attest that the instruction is really wonderful and I have seen not only improvement in her skill level but also passion and love for this art form. This is from the excellent quality of instruction. THEATER: My daughter gets to act in musicals and plays at OPA. She has enjoyed ensemble roles as well as a couple of principle roles. OPA teaches children how to audition properly with a theatrical resume, a song to sing, they are taught a dance and are given sides to prepare. Auditions are tough, and nerve wracking and when my child did not get the role she wanted she was very sad. This I found to be an excellent lesson for my daughter, if you want something badly enough you must learn what to do and work for it. She approached her director and took the advice and worked diligently - this was not easy many days. She practiced, sang, danced practiced, practiced and also practiced. She was completely prepared at her next audition and this was noticed. Just like any sport or anything in life some people come by acting, singing and dancing naturally or maybe they are strong in a couple of areas but not all. The good thing about OPA is that you have the opportunity to learn here as well. I have seen kids come in off the street and get principle roles, I have seen some of the same very talented, very experienced kids get principle roles and I have sat in the audience and enjoyed watching them on stage. The one thing ALL OPA productions have in common is quality. The quality of acting, singing, dancing, costumes, set design all of what one expects to see on stage is there in abundance at OPA. VOLUNTEERING: OPA is a non profit and as such there are many opportunities for adults to get involved. Shows are expensive to produce and a few people can not do this alone. OPA relies on parent volunteers to help run and bring services to our kids. I like to choose the few things I can do and help when I can. IT is fun to hang out a little bit back stage with my girl and her friends. We have lots of laughs along the way. I like to help and give back to this wonderful non-profit that has helped my daughter learn and grow along the way. I am proud to volunteer to this non-profit but I sure can't give everything so I only choose those things I love to do and I do them on my schedule. I know OPA has had some growing pains in the past 2 years. They grew quick, bought a huge beautiful building, changed computer systems to try to keep up,, added huge new programs so of course there have been a few glitches along the way.. I have to say a great big thank you to Jessica in the OPA office who has been so helpful when I call with crazy questions also Tessa. Sometimes there is summer help in the office to help and sometimes there are instructors who pitch in, if they can't help me they let me know what I can do to get help. I have enjoyed our time with OPA and truly believe they are building character onstage and off. read more

My husband and I love theater, and we have owned "Broadway Series" packages in every city we've inhabited. We first came to OPA as audience members - a means to introduce theater to our very young children. We were blown away by the professionalism of this local community theater. The sets, the costumes, and, most importantly, the cast were top-notch. In fact, I had to remind myself that we were seeing *children* perform! The years passed, and my three children have now been students at OPA for many years. They have very different personalities and different strengths and weaknesses, yet all have found a home there. OPA offers a huge variety of classes in dance, voice, acting, gymnastics, art, piano, and guitar, as well as a bevy of "triple-threat" classes, such as Actor's Toolbox, Show Choir, and Glee. The quality of the instruction is excellent, with emphasis on technique, instead of the 'teaching-for-the-recital' that we have encountered at other studios. The OPA staff members have impressive resumes, and they bring their professional experiences into their classrooms. The staff is warm and wonderful -- my children love their instructors as much as they love their classes! My children have also had the privilege of participating in three OPA productions. My observations? I have observed teenagers going out of their way to relax, encourage, and support young children. I have observed tweens root for each other, despite the pursuit of the same role. I have received congratulatory emails from kids and parents within minutes of a posted cast list. I cannot be more impressed with the supportive, encouraging environment. And what of the show preparation? My children are not just learning lines and dance moves. The directors take the time to teach audition skills, acting, character development, theater terminology, and voice training through a variety of games, assignments, and activities. The rehearsals are lively and fun. My kids have had the time of their lives while developing confidence, stage presence, presentation skills, and lasting friendships - things they will take with them long after they leave childhood behind. Finally, as a parent, I can say that I most appreciate OPA for the qualities modeled outside of the stage and classroom. Angela Boehm and her staff emphasize personal character development just as much as they emphasize performing arts skills. Modesty is required, foul language is prohibited, cliques are outlawed. My favorite rule - a "Diva Claus" is reviewed at the beginning of each show- any behavior suggesting superiority or narcissism is grounds for expulsion. The result is a true family environment, a warm, friendly, supportive, atmosphere where all children can thrive. I highly recommend OPA to any parent whose children show an interest in the performing arts. In fact, I have brought many of my friends into the organization. My husband and I feel fortunate to have such an excellent opportunity for our children so close by. read more

We've seen many shows in many local venues both professional and amateur. We recently saw a show here because my daughter's friend was in it and it was one of the worst I've ever seen. It was horribly miscast. Some of the ensemble seemed much stronger than the leads. The venue is nice and the seats comfortable but from what I've heard OPA will have limited use of the main stage now that a church bought the venue. I have many suggestions for local amateur theater including many of the community theaters, Beck Center, Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy or if you want to see almost professional theater go to Baldwin Wallace. To be clear my review is not of the classes offered there or of their dance company. This is a review of their theater production. read more

Thanks to OPA, my child has vastly improved in her personal skills and abilities. She has begun to come out of her shell is no longer the shy little girl. My son is a handful on a good day, but the coaches are so patient and understanding with him and have helped him learn to listen to directions and be patient. Their productions are top notch in quality as are their actors. Furthermore, I have found their staff to be extreme helpful and considerate. When we first came to OPA, we did not know anybody but wanted to see what classes they had to offer. We found the staff extremely warm and welcoming. They have a "no diva" and "no clique" policy which makes the place feel very inviting. My family cannot thank OPA enough for all they have given us! read more

Olmsted Performing Arts is a great place. The staff are welcoming, the shows are amazing and it's overall just a fantastic learning experience. Both of my kids enjoy being in the theater productions as well as classes, which are improving their skills tremendously. The actors at OPA are friendly and try their best to make everyone feel included. Everyone shares one true passion in acting, which OPA lets them discover. Like the motto says, EVERYONE builds character onstage and off. read more

My daughter has been taking acting and dance lessons at BWCAS this past year and absolutely loves every minute of it! She is part of the Dance Company and is learning and growing so much! It provides a professional and positive environment and feels like a second family. We attended her first dance performance last weekend and it was amazing! We are so thankful we found BWCAS! read more

Poor taste to have students perform anything that would encourage assassinating any one let alone a sitting president. How sad such people would have influence over young minds. read more