The Ojai Art Center is a community hub for the arts, with a Theater Branch that has yearly theatrical seasons and several one-of-a-kind events, celebrations, readings, and more. Come see a show, lend a hand backstage, or shine on stage in one of our productions!
OACT Show Archive
OACT Slade Library
Our 2026 Theatrical Season:
Presenting stories rooted in growth, challenges, and all of life’s journeys.
Learn more below!
Presented as a Branch of the Ojai Art Center
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The Cemetery Club
By Ivan Menchell
Directed by Sindy McKay
Running Weekends, March 27th – April 19th!
Reserve Your Seats Online Now:
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COMPANY
A Musical Comedy by Stephen Sondheim & George Furth
Directed by David Henderson
AUDITION INFO AND DATES ARE HERE!
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SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL: JUNIOR
by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Gai Jones
AUDITION INFO AND DATES AVAILABLE NOW!
Sign up for Youth Audition Alerts to get more information to your inbox!
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The Ojai Art Center:
Remembering Cecil Sutton – March 22nd at 4:00 PM
Cecil Sutton — Actor, Director, and Visual Artist
The Ojai and Ventura communities mourn the passing of Cecil Sutton, a longtime member of the Ojai Art Center Theater, who died on December 9th, 2025.
A memorial celebration of Cecil’s life will be held Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 PM at the Ojai Art Center.
Details on parking and other such information will be available soon.
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Cecil was born June 11th, 1958, in Gallup, New Mexico, to Katie and Jesse Sutton. He was one of seven children: Jesse (Gerald), Judy, Leonard, Ruth, Cecil, Melissa, and Roger.
The family later settled in Ventura, California, where Cecil discovered his love for drawing and painting. An avid collector of model kits and comic books — especially the Doc Savage stories and the works of Edgar Allan Poe — Cecil enjoyed sculpting and creating models of the monsters and characters he loved. That same imagination and attention to detail later defined his theatrical work. He graduated from Ventura High School and attended Ventura College. During these years he discovered his passion for the theater, which remained a central part of his life.
For more than forty years, Cecil was a vibrant presence in community theater. He performed, directed, produced, and designed special effects for numerous productions in local theaters including the Ojai Art Center Theater. Known for his focus, discipline, and professionalism, he was respected by fellow artists and audiences alike for his thoughtful preparation, strong craft, and generosity as a collaborator. He was particularly devoted to Shakespeare and was active in the Ojai Shakespeare Festival and Shakespeare in the Park. Throughout all of this, Cecil also maintained a dedicated career with the United States Postal Service, where he worked as a rural carrier for over 35 years.
Beyond the stage, Cecil also contributed his visual artistry to the theater, hand-drawing posters and artwork for productions including A Streetcar Named Desire, Rough Crossings, and Private Lives. It was during Private Lives — in which Cecil and Tracey Williams played Elyot and Amanda — that their relationship began. They met at the Art Center and were married within the year, a story commemorated by a plaque on a theater chair they purchased together that reads, “Our journey together began here.”
Ojai audiences remember him in many roles, including Jacques in As You Like It, Jack in Dancing at Lughnasa, Marley in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Buffalo Bill in Annie Get Your Gun, Harpagon in Molière’s The Miser, and the Emcee in Cabaret. One of Cecil’s most cherished performances was in 33 Variations with his wife, Tracey Williams Sutton, where he portrayed Beethoven, bringing extraordinary sensitivity and depth to the role. Cecil often said he had two goals whenever he performed: to entertain the audience and to impress his lovely and talented wife — a goal he achieved throughout his career.
Cecil received numerous awards and recognitions over the years for his acting, directing, special effects, graphic artistry, and producing. These honors reflected not only his range of talents but his deep dedication to the craft of theater.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey Williams Sutton; his sisters, Melissa Sutton and Ruth Pelham; his brother, Roger Sutton; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved Shih Tzus, Nikki and Kyle. He is deeply missed.
“Give it over to God. Have faith. Good things will come to pass. It’s in God’s hands, but do what you can.” – Cecil Sutton
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The Cemetery Club
By Ivan Menchell
Directed by Sindy McKay
Art and Design by Haley Culliton
Weekends, March 27th – April 19th, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM
Three lifelong friends have regular visits with one another at their late husbands’ graves, sharing tea with a side of humor and honesty. When one woman considers opening her heart to someone new, their usual routine gets shaken up and forces one another to confront tucked-away grief. What does it truly mean to be loyal? The Cemetery Club is a heartwarming portrayal of second chances, demonstrating the bonds of friendship and dealing with change.
SPECIAL INFORMATION REGARDING SATURDAY EVENING SHOWS:
In an effort to make theatrical experiences more accessible, all Saturday evening shows will have a “Pay What You Can” deal at the door! Payment for this deal must be made in cash and in person the night of the show. We’ll see you there!
Tickets are available now! They can be purchased online, at the door, over the phone at 805-640-8797, or by emailing Herb@ojaiact.org to make reservations. Doors open at 6:45 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings, and 1:15 PM on Sunday matinees.
For information such as special pricing, parking, accessibility and more, please read our FAQ by clicking here.
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Presenting Our 2026 Theatrical Season
We have finalized our 2026 Theatrical Season! We have a lineup of shows whose stories are rooted in the growth, challenges, and journeys life will take us on.
Our Full 2026 Season:
Art and Designs by Haley Culliton
EDUCATING RITA
by Willy Russell
Directed by Steve Grumette
January 23rd – February 15th
🌟THE CEMETERY CLUB🌟
by Ivan Menchell
Directed by Sindy McKay
March 27th – April 19th
“The Cemetery Club” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
COMPANY
by Stephen Sondheim & George Furth
Directed by David Henderson
June 12th – July 12th
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL: JUNIOR
by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Gai Jones
July 31st – August 9
OUR TOWN
by Thornton Wilder
Directed by evan austin
September 25th – October 18th
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL
by Jahanna Beecham & Malcolm Hillgartner
Directed by Hayley Beth Silvers
December 4th – December 20th
Season ticket are available now- see all of our shows in 2026 for one bundled price!
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
Our weekly theater updates are the best way to stay informed on our current and future seasons,
show dates, tickets, season tickets, behind-the-curtains photos, theater events, and more –
Subscribe to our OACT Newsletter
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AUDITION ALERTS:
Be the first to know when we have auditions notices go up!
We alert these lists before any notices go public, so you can get in the extra prep time.
We have both general and youth-exclusive lists –
Subscribe to OACT Audition Alerts
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Want to work with the theater off stage and beyond? Sign up to volunteer for us!
Know when we need help with shows, events, fundraisers, receptions, and more –
Subscribe to OACT Volunteers
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OJAI ART CENTER MEMBERSHIP:
Get perks across the entirety of the Ojai Art Center!
Get theater and sponsored event discounts, voting rights, and much more –
Learn more about OAC Membership
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DONATIONS:
Embrace the arts and help us continue to provide a haven for creativity, expression, and cultural enrichment.
Make a tax-deductible donation, make a difference in your community –
Donate to the Ojai Art Center
For more information about our wonderful Ojai Art Center
as a whole and its many artistic facilities and offerings
for the community, please click the image below:
113 S. Montgomery Street
Ojai, CA 93023
United States