OFT strives to create a brave space for young people to be imaginative, joyful, and confident. Our educational programs facilitate the process of young artists finding, developing and using their unique voices and perspectives.
Using theater, we teach critical life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, integrity, and empathy. Our goal is to facilitate both the individual development and collective growth of all young artists who enter our space.
Olympia Family Theater provides classes for students Kindergarten through 12th grade, and adults. These classes are focused on building theater skills, ensemble and collaboration, and storytelling. Classes culminate in an end of programming showcase for family and friends, but are not full productions with costumes, props, or other tech elements.
FOUNDATIONS classes are structured for our 3rd-5th grade students to enhance their on-stage skills, explore how to create characters and stories, and work with an ensemble.
SPOTLIGHT classes are designed for our 6th-8th grade students. In these classes students will work with published material, devise their own work, and work in a variety of peer group sizes.
OFTeen classes are meant for our 9th-12th grade students who are ready to deep dive into specific theater skills, challenge themselves, and work with elevated material.
OFT is proud to continue our ACCESS FOR ALL pricing initiative for all camps and classes in the 2022-23 school year! Every program will be offered on a sliding scale starting at just $25. If you need additional assistance beyond that please contact our team at
We believe access to art is a human right and no student will be turned away due to financial barriers.
Photo Policy:
Olympia Family Theater has permission to utilize all registered students’ image in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display made of, or at, the class, camp, or workshop in any medium or content for any purposes, including marketing or promotional purposes, without further authorization or compensation. All student names will remain confidential. We will not tag or identify students in any social media posts we make.
Registration Deadlines:
You may register up to the start of class provided there are still spaces available.
Cancellation Policy:
If for any reason you need to cancel your registration please email us at education@olyft,org or call the office at (360)570-1638. If you need to cancel before programming begins, we are able to refund up to 100% of the tuition you paid. Any amount of your unused tuition can be donated to OFT so that we may continue to offer ACCESS FOR ALL pricing.
We strive to make sure all students are satisfied with their experience, but if after completing the first day of class and deciding it’s not for you, please let us know before the start of the second class and we will work with families on a case by case basis. After the second day of class, no refunds or exchanges can be made.
Before programming starts tuition and enrollment can be transferred to another class or camp, or gift card.
OFT reserves the right to cancel programming at any time. In that case, tuition will be refunded in full.
In the case of inclement weather, programming will move to a virtual platform. OFT will work with families on a case by case basis to determine refund and reimbursments if you choose to cancel enrollment.
Drop-Off
- OFT will be ready to receive students ten-minutes prior to the start of programming. Please stay in your car, or outside until OFT staff have opened the doors.
- If a student is going to be absent, or tardy please contact OFT by email at , or call us at 360-570-1638.
- If a student is not present after ten-minutes of class have passed, an OFT staff member will contact parent/guardian via phone number on file.
- On the first day of programming, OFT staff will verify student allergies, emergency contact information, authorized adults who can pick-up students, or if the student is able to self-check out.
- Self-Checkout authorization is only valid until the end of the session of programming, and must be reauthorized each session.
Pick-Up
- Please be on time to pick up your student from programming.
- Students will only be released from the classroom when an authorized adult is present, or a student is allowed to self-checkout.
- OFT reserves the right to charge for late-pick ups.
- On the first offence, the parent/guardian will receive a warning.
- On the second and following offences, OFT will charge $1 for every minute late, after the first 15 minutes of the program ending.
- Payment can be made via cash, check (made out to “Olympia Family Theater”), or credit card- and will be taken at time of pick up.
FAQ's:
Our ACCESS FOR ALL program allows all families to participate in our programs regardless of income constraints. We just want your kiddo here!
Simply enter the amount you wish to pay (in increments of $25) into the code field. The number needs to be entered without a dollar sign, so just the numbers, like “100” for $100. Then they need to hit “apply”.
If you would like to pay an amount outside of a $25 increment or if you need to pay $0, please contact the Education Department and we can sign you up over the phone.
Yes! Students who are signed up for an AM and PM camp can stay for lunch at no extra charge. We will provide a space for them to eat their packed lunch and some items for unstructured play so they can relax a little before their PM class.
No. We do not allow parents to sit in the classroom during classes while their young performer works. All adults must pass a background check processed through OFT to work at OFT; the classroom is a student-centered environment. If your child is experiencing first day jitters, please contact the Education Department to create a game plan to ensure their success!
No. While we pride ourselves on being a community-centered institution, we cannot accept additional students who have not signed up with a parent signed liability waiver to attend a multi-session program.
When you are signing up for Summer Camps, your child is available for camps based on the grade they will be entering in the Fall. Ex: When your child completed the 2nd grade, they are a “rising 3rd grader” for our Summer Program.
In the event of bad weather conditions or staff illness, we may need to cancel an individual class. It is never our first choice, but it happens. If class is canceled due to staff illness, you can request a refund for that single class time which will be a prorated amount based on what you paid originally. We cannot extend a refund for cancellations due to weather. If we have to cancel a showcase day, there will not be a make-up performance.
We follow the Olympia School District with regards to canceling classes due to weather. If school is out of session, we will base our decision with family and staff safety in mind. In the event of a weather related cancellation, Olympia Family Theater staff will notify affected families by email and phone with as much notice as possible. Cancellations will also be announced on social media.
We follow the Olympia School District with regards to canceling classes due to weather. If school is out of session, we will base our decision with family and staff safety in mind. In the event of a weather related cancellation, Olympia Family Theater staff will notify affected families by email and phone with as much notice as possible. Cancellations will also be announced on social media.
When temperatures reach high and/or unsafe levels, OFT will review the possibility of cancelling or adjusting programming.
Between 90-99˚
An informed decision to continue, shorten, or cancel programming will be made by OFT staff (based on variables like air flow, room temperature, access to other spaces, age of participants, etc).
100˚ or Higher
Programming without air-conditioning capabilities will be canceled or rescheduled.
When heat-related cancellations are probable in the weather forecast, OFT staff will notify families of the possibility of cancellation by 6:00 pm the evening before. And we commit to giving as much notice as possible in the event of heat-related cancellations.
Policy decisions reference different air quality levels, which are based on this air quality index from the Washington State Department of Ecology
If a participant is at additional risk due to smoke and needs to stay home, they are encouraged to do so. OFT asks that you give written notice at least one hour prior, when possible, so plans can be adjusted as needed.
SAFETY PLANS BY AIR QUALITY LEVEL:
ORANGE (AQI 101-150)
No major changes. On-site adult (Educator, Staff, Stage Manager, etc.) uses their discretion to close windows and doors if needed, based on real time air quality. Limit outside time when possible.
RED (AQI 151-200)
Doors and windows remain closed for the entirety of the program time. Inside ventilation stays on for air filtration.
PURPLE+ (AQI 201+)
OFT cancels programming, giving at least two hours’ notice (email, website, social media) of a cancellation. If cancellation is probable, we will give you as much notice as possible either in the morning for afternoon/evening programming or the day before for morning programming.
Our HVAC system has been replaced with a brand new system that includes a REME HALO air purification system which uses UV light to disinfect the air as it passes through and is constantly running.
Yes! We will find a suitable place for them to eat with their mask off. Please contact the Education Department to create a game plan!
Core Values:
Equity & Inclusion
Everyone is welcome. We are anti-racist and pro-justice. We acknowledge that not all people benefit from the same privileges, and we work together to center the needs of the most vulnerable in order to ensure equitable access for all. We especially work to prioritize the needs of BIPOC, LGBTQIA, women, gender diverse, disabled, low-income folks, and other community members facing barriers to success.
Youth Are Powerful
We believe that youth are intelligent, capable, and curious. We create programs that honor their intellect, and allow them to be experts of their own lived experiences. We believe that youth are capable storytellers and art-makers.
We Are All Learners
Everyone has room to learn something from one another. We seek to disrupt typical power relationships – positioning all of us as learners within the same community.
Transparent Communication
We believe it is an act of kindness to say what you mean and communicate clearly. We do our best work when we give and receive feedback in a spirit of mutual growth.
