Musical Theatre Academy Of Orange County

The mission of Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County is to develop every child's talent, confidence, and potential through year-round, inclusive, professional training and performance in musical theater arts.

Once Upon A Time In 1984 … The Musical Theatre Academy’s origin began in 1984 in Irvine, California. The foundation for what was to become MTAOC started as a children’s choral program known as the Rainbow Singers under the direction of MTAOC’s founding Board Member, Margie King. As part of the Yamaha Music Education Center, the group was a valued part of the community dedicated to developing every child’s talent, confidence, and potential through performing arts exposure. Over the next ten years, the group expanded from just providing a choral curriculum into teaching and producing full-scale musical-theatre productions. In 1993 the Yamaha Music Education Center sold the franchise and the group was faced with a decision; continue on its own, or let the program go. The decision was simple. With no financial backing, a group of committed parents with Margie at the forefront secured MTAOC as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and proceeded to make history. Since then, MTAOC has provided life-skill development training through the musical theatre arts to well over 3000 children and young people ages four to eighteen throughout the Orange County and Southern California region. MTAOC has inspired its students to challenge their fears, and develop their natural talent by experiencing the known benefits of exposure to a performing arts education. With the addition of MTAOC’s Artistic Director Jimmy Hippenstiel in 2001 and through the continued efforts of both a highly dedicated staff and volunteers, MTAOC has created what is clearly a unique and very valuable asset to its students, their families, and the world community at large. By providing a tuition-based program supported by private and public donations, MTAOC has helped shape the future of not only their students but everyone whose lives they touch as they continue onto their individual paths. Many of MTAOC’s students have used the skills that they have acquired at the academy to advance both their professional and personal lives. Whether they have gone on to further a career in the performing arts or ventured into other professional fields, all have benefited from their MTAOC experience.

Our work will lead to self-confidence and teamwork in the lives of the children and youth that we mentor. We accept students who live throughout Orange County, our Broadway-style musicals are presented at venues such as the Rose Center Theater in Westminster or the Hunting Beach Library Theater. Through our 35+ years of existence, more than 3,200 boys and girls, ages 4 to 18, have benefited from our program. In offering our youth a special opportunity to explore and enjoy the arts through live theater performances, MTAOC is helping them to develop the imagination, confidence, and important life skills they will need in order to better understand themselves and the world around them. Everyone deserves the chance to grow into the spotlight of their potential and at MTAOC our students get that chance.

Early exposure to performing arts education has been proven to provide a major stimulus for developing important higher brain processes like innovation, creativity, and imagination. In addition, arts education is fundamental to core educational disciplines such as history, language, reading, and math. Through performing arts studies, children learn a variety of skill sets that are crucial to their future success. Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, enhanced communication abilities, leadership, and teamwork are all enriched by a performing arts education. It is also through the Arts that society passes on our culture, values, and stories that give our children the important foundational tools and ideals from which they can grow. (See the Top 10 Reasons for Supporting the Arts in 2023 from the National Arts Publication Database at https://ww2.americansforthearts.org/publications/top-10-reasons-support-arts-2023#:~:text=1%20Arts%20unify%20communities.%202%20Arts%20improve%20individual,social%20impact.%208%20Arts%20improve%20healthcare.%20More%20items)

Social Isolation resulting from the pandemic can be eliminated through theater arts participation. “The arts can connect students to a world—past, present and future—full of history, innovation, expression, beauty, power and inspiration. All of these things have always been important for educating the whole person, but through the pandemic, it seems that it is much more important to find ways to truly engage with students and make them feel connected to something outside themselves.” (Chad Jones, executive director San Francisco Arts Education Project.) "10. Arts Strengthen Mental Health. The arts are an effective resource in reducing depression and anxiety and increasing life satisfaction. Just 30 minutes of active arts activities daily can combat the ill effects of isolation and loneliness associated with COVID-19." Retrieved from California Center for the Arts, Escondido https://artcenter.org/blog/top-10-reasons-to-support-the-arts/

Combined together, the rewards that a child gains by participating in a performing arts program can make all the difference when it comes to their ability to succeed in school, career, and personal goals.

Orange County, California

"I am very passionate about my work here at MTAOC. I have the privilege of inspiring the performer within each student with results both onstage and offstage that are always amazing to see. Thank you for supporting the Musical Theater Live Programs for our students!"