1995 Was A Big Year...

Storytelling is the most powerful, subversive,

rebellion tool humans have.

-- Noa Baum, Storyteller

Performances To Grow On was created in 1995 in response to the significant arts funding cuts in schools nationally in the mid 80 through the 90's.

I was in fourth grade in 1995, at Meiner's Oaks Elementary, in Ojai CA. To my 10 year old memory, it happened swiftly. One year, I was playing clarinet (terribly) in band, learning how sketch light creating shadow from the rolling meadows near the school (less terribly), and learning monologues to perform at assemblies. The next year, band was after school for a fee, art class was one hour a week for "Fun-Friday" if we had done all of our homework (I hadn't), not missed a day, and been on time all week. Theater instruction was gone all together.

By the time I'd graduated high school, the PTA, community members, and nonprofits like PTGO had begun fundraising, volunteering, and fighting for arts to be back in schools. To this day we have to WORK to keep the arts in our schools because our future depends on it.

So, I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to continue what Brian Bemel started in 1995. I will support Kara Lakes, our current Creative Director (and my dear friend), and we will carry on.

Read the NEA's statement and have your mind BLOWN by the Executive Order prompting these guideline changes--> https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Final.Notice.Implementation.EO14168.pdf

Please support storytelling!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/its-our-30th-birthday

Cassandra Cotham,

Assistant Director,

Ojai Storytelling Festival & Performances To Grow On