Photo courtesy TOArts’ Creators Conservatory.
Award-winning local author Drew Daywalt joins a roster of industry professionals guiding students as they adapt his bestselling book for the stage
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts invites the community to celebrate the next generation of local artists at the culminating showcase of its Creators Conservatory on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center.
The showcase will feature original adaptations of The Day the Crayons Quit, the bestselling children’s book written by local author Drew Daywalt, alongside musical theatre selections students have developed throughout the program.
Over two and a half weeks, participating high school students have worked together to write, perform, and produce original theatre under the guidance of award-winning writers, directors, performers and designers. The intensive program helps emerging artists develop skills across performance, writing, directing, design and production while experiencing what it takes to bring an original work from concept to the stage.
“Creators Conservatory gives students the opportunity to see themselves not only as performers, but as writers, directors, designers and collaborators, ” said Casey Comstock-Mills, Director of Programs and Development at TOArts. “They are challenged to take creative risks, support one another and discover where their individual talents fit within the larger creative process. The showcase is a celebration of everything they have built together in just two and a half weeks.
”This year, Daywalt joined the program as a guest teaching artist, giving students the opportunity to learn directly from the award-winning local author as they developed original adaptations of his work.
“I have been coming to this performing arts center with my family for more than 20 years, so having the opportunity to work with these local students was especially meaningful, ” said Daywalt.
“It was exciting to see them bring their own ideas, humor and imagination to a story that has been a part of my life for so long, and to watch them make it entirely their own. ”
The collaboration reflects TOArts’ unique ability to connect emerging artists with accomplished creative professionals from the region and beyond. As part of TOArts growing workforce\ development pipeline, Creators Conservatory helps bridge the space between arts education and professional creative careers by providing students with hands-on training, mentorship and access to a professional performance venue.
“The creative industries include far more career paths than many young people realize, ” Comstock-Mills added. “By giving students meaningful experiences across multiple disciplines and connecting them with working professionals, we are helping them imagine, and begin preparing for, a future in the arts. ”
The community is invited to attend the showcase and support these talented young artists as they share the results of their creativity, collaboration, and hard work.
Event Details
TOArts Creators Conservatory Showcase
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Scherr Forum Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, California
Registration is free but RSVP is required to attend. Please RSVP at givebutter.com/TOArtsConservatory.
For more information about TOArts and its initiatives, please visit www.toarts.org
About TOArts
TOArts is the nonprofit fundraising and presenting partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks with a vision to support our community to be a place Where the Arts Thrive for All. TOArts delivers high-quality arts exposure and education to youth and world-class performances to the region, and provides vital support for local artists and nonprofit performing arts groups. For more information, please visit www.toarts.org, and follow TOArts on
Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.