Spectacular Fall Lineup Announced for Performing Arts Companies

Captivating performances are once again making their way to the Bank of America Performing Arts Center this fall. From the sci-fi musical charm of “Little Shop of Horrors”, presented by 5-Star Theatricals, to the timeless elegance of classical ballet from Pacific Festival Ballet, and the Los Angeles magic of accomplished composer Derrick Skye for New West Symphony and more. TOArts, a local nonprofit organization that is the fundraising and presenting partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, is playing a crucial role by developing the Audience Development Initiative for the last three years, nurturing the resident companies, and enhancing the community’s artistic landscape, driving world-class performances and bringing the joy of performing arts to all in Ventura County.

5-Star Theatricals

For its fall show, 5-Star Theatricals anticipates attracting over 300+ auditionees from Los Angeles, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara, bringing a wealth of talent and a boost to the local economy. Running from October 4th to the 20th, 5-Star Theatricals will present the delectable sci-fi horror musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” performed in the intimate Scherr Forum theatre. With an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score, this production tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a meek floral shop assistant who discovers a strange plant he names “Audrey II.” Little does Seymour know, Audrey II will develop a soulful R&B voice and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. A delightful blend of Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi, “Little Shop of Horrors” has captivated theatergoers for over three decades. Created by the brilliant Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, famed for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin,” it has become one of the most beloved shows worldwide and is one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows.

New West Symphony

You won’t want to miss the dynamic and engaging performances at the New West Symphony! Coming up on October 5th is the world premiere of a New West Symphony commissioned work by Los Angeles-based composer Derrick Skye, continuing the Symphony’s commissioning program. Familiar favorites include works by Brahms and Mendelssohn. New West Symphony concertmaster Alyssa Park makes her Symphony solo debut with Maurice Ravel’s brilliant Tzigane and the world premiere of Derrick Skye’s atmospheric Amalgamation. Brahms’ Hungarian Dances provide an ideal collaboration with Pacific Festival Ballet.

Also making her New West Symphony main stage debut on November 2nd is pianist Lara Downes playing Jessie Montgomery’s 2024 Grammy-winning Rounds and two Rags for Piano and Orchestra by Scott Joplin. The program also includes Dvorák’s "New World” Symphony, accompanied by stunning images from photo historian Joseph Sohm.

Winter Spectacular: Holidays of Light on December 7th features symphonic masterworks, holiday carols, the Los Robles Children’s Choir, vocal soloists and a performance of Howard Blake’s The Snowman, accompanied by an award-winning animated short film, making this a must-see event for the entire family.

Pacific Festival Ballet

There’s nothing like a classic and timeless ballet to end the 2024 performances. Pacific Festival Ballet celebrates their 30th anniversary Nutcracker season with guest artists from New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia. A principal ballerina with New York City Ballet since 2009, Ms. Peck has performed and choreographed internationally and boasts impressive Broadway, TV, and film credits along with appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Dancing with the Stars for three seasons. Mejia began studying ballet at the age of three with his mother and father. He was featured in Dance Magazine as one of their “25 to Watch” in 2019 and is now a principal dancer for New York City Ballet. Pacific Festival Ballet will bring the holiday spirit to the stage on December 21st and 22nd and claims there will be 100% chance of snowfall on the audience! This engaging story and breathtaking choreography are a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends.

Tickets for these exceptional performances are available for purchase through the respective venues and online platforms. Secure your seats early to ensure you don't miss out on the spectacular local live performances that the Pacific Festival Ballet, New West Symphony, and 5-Star Theatricals are sure to deliver this fall.

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ABOUT NEW WEST SYMPHONY

Founded in 1995, the New West Symphony is a professional orchestra that draws its players from the rich talent pool of professional Los Angeles-area musicians. With artistic direction led by GRAMMY® winner Maestro Michael Christie, appointed as music director in December 2018, the Symphony is the resident company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and performs at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo. It presents six Masterpiece Series concerts annually, performing major works from the symphonic repertoire with internationally acclaimed artists as guest soloists. The Symphony also provides quality outreach and educational opportunities for the communities it serves through its annual Symphonic Adventures concert programs for youth, its traveling Music Van, and the Laby Harmony Project, a year-round music and leadership program for underserved students.

The New West Symphony Association is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the New West Symphony Association are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The New West Symphony Association’s tax identification number is 77-0406042.

ABOUT PACIFIC FESTIVAL BALLET

Pacific Festival Ballet is a not-for-profit institution with a rich history of presenting performance art to the Greater Conejo Valley for the past 30 years. Artistic Director, Kim Maselli, ballet dancer/choreographer from stage and screens- strives to cultivate tomorrow’s stars of the dance world while bringing world- class talent from across the globe to our community. Their partnership with the City of Thousand Oaks and the Bank of America Performing Arts Plaza provides a forum for creative expression from a strong network of company dancers, professional alumni, and guest artists. PFB features three major productions each season, preserving the tradition of classical ballet while creating new and innovative full-length ballets that explore the ever-changing facets of dance. Since its inception in 1994, Pacific Festival Ballet has worked to create a strong tradition of civic support through public performances, local outreach, and children’s educational programs. In obtaining their appointment as resident ballet company in 2001, PFB accommodated an expanding audience, making dance accessible to a wider range of people in our community. Today, PFB continues to give aspiring dancers trained at its official school, California Dance Theatre, an opportunity to perform on stage with seasoned professionals while entertaining audiences of all ages throughout the year.

ABOUT 5-STAR THEATRICALS

For more than three decades, 5-Star Theatricals has been enriching the cultural life of Ventura and Los Angeles counties and the surrounding areas by providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live, Broadway-quality productions of musical theatre.

It is 5-Star Theatricals’ mission to provide the highest-quality theatre experience, to foster educational opportunities, and to promote cultural and artistic enrichment to enhance the quality of life in Southern California. By creating opportunities for up-and-coming performers and artists, 5-Star Theatricals has launched hundreds of people to success in theatre, movies, television and music, including Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee and Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block. In addition, 5-Star Theatricals goes “Beyond the Footlights” with outreach programs to give back to the community and to provide enhanced theatre experiences for all audiences. Since the inception of “Beyond the Footlights,” more than 45,000 underserved children, in-need seniors and active military have enjoyed 5-Star Theatricals productions at no charge. In addition, 5-Star Theatricals provides ASL-signed performances of every production, talkbacks with the cast and staff, and beyond.

ABOUT TOARTS

TOArts is the nonprofit fundraising and presenting partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Its mission is to enrich lives and strengthen the fabric of the community through arts education, and the presentation and support of visual and performing arts at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center and beyond. Its guiding vision is to support a community Where the Arts Thrive for All. For more information, please visit www.toarts.org

TOArts Audience Development Initiative, now in its 2nd year, was created to build awareness and audience growth for the Resident Companies at Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.