We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brandon Stauffer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brandon below.

Brandon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

The short answer is yes—but it was a long and winding road to get here.

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to build a life around creativity and the arts. My journey started with degrees in Technical Theatre Management from Utah State University and further studies toward an MFA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I traveled the country working in nearly every aspect of theatre, from Cirque du Soleil to regional theatre, and even immersive productions like The Palm Springs Follies. But as fulfilling as those experiences were, they weren’t necessarily stable.

Like most in the arts, I had to piece things together—freelancing, contract work, side gigs—before I found a way to make it sustainable. The major turning point was founding OPPA! (On Pitch Performing Arts) in 2016. What started in a tiny 2,000-square-foot space in Layton, Utah, with a focus on community theatre education, has now grown into a thriving nonprofit serving over 20,000 audience members annually, employing a staff of 18, and producing 24 annual productions.

Building OPPA! wasn’t an overnight success. It took relentless fundraising, grant writing, strategic partnerships, and a constant balancing act of creative and business leadership. I had to learn how to sell a vision, secure funding, and cultivate community support, all while making sure the artistic work remained the heart of everything.

Could I have sped up the process? Maybe. If I had known earlier just how much of running a theatre (or any creative business) is about business, fundraising, and relationships, I might have focused on those skills sooner. But honestly, every step of the journey—every failure, every hard lesson—was necessary.

Theatre is an ever-evolving business, and making a living in it requires adaptability, passion, and a willingness to learn the non-creative side of the industry. So, while I do make a full-time living from my creative work now, it took years of trial, error, and sheer persistence to get here. And in community theatre, it’s never just about making a living—it’s about making an impact. That, to me, is the real reward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Me & My Creative Work
I’m Brandon Stauffer, and my life has always revolved around the arts. I’m a theatre professional, director, and arts advocate who has worked in nearly every aspect of the industry. My journey started with degrees in Technical Theatre Management from Utah State University and further studies toward an MFA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations like Cirque du Soleil, The Boarshead Theatre, and The Palm Springs Follies, among others, which gave me a deep understanding of the creative, technical, and business aspects of theatre.

But where I truly found my passion—and my purpose—was in community theatre.

How I Got Into My Industry & What I Do Now
In 2016, I co-founded On Pitch Performing Arts (OPPA!) in Layton, Utah, with a vision to build a community theatre that was professional in quality but deeply rooted in inclusivity and education. What started as a small 2,000-square-foot space has since grown into a thriving nonprofit with:

24 annual productions, including Broadway concerts and educational performances.
A vibrant education program serving 750+ students per week with classes in acting, dance, voice, piano, technical theatre, and more.
A dedicated team of 18 staff members and over 40,000 volunteer hours contributed each year.
Over 20,000 audience members annually, proving that live theatre is alive and well in our community.
At OPPA!, we produce community theatre productions, original works, professional Broadway concerts, and educational programming, creating an artistic home where performers of all ages and backgrounds can grow. We’re not just about putting on shows; we’re about changing lives through the arts.

What Problems I Solve & What Sets OPPA! Apart
One of the biggest challenges in community theatre is balancing accessibility, quality, and sustainability. Many theatres struggle to provide opportunities while maintaining high artistic standards. At OPPA!, we’ve built a model that:

Offers affordable arts education to make sure cost is never a barrier to participation.
Gives local talent the chance to work with Broadway professionals, creating a pipeline from community theatre to professional opportunities.
Engages audiences with a diverse lineup of productions, from classic musicals to contemporary plays and experimental works.
Strengthens local businesses and the economy, proving that theatre isn’t just entertainment—it’s a community driver.
What sets OPPA! apart is our focus on people first. We don’t just cast shows; we build community, create memories, and foster a love for the arts that extends beyond the stage.

What I’m Most Proud Of
It’s hard to pick just one thing. I’m incredibly proud of:

The sheer growth of OPPA!—watching a small dream evolve into a full-fledged arts organization that touches thousands of lives.
Our education program, which has given countless kids and adults a place to belong, learn, and grow.
The partnerships and sponsorships we’ve built, proving that community theatre can be taken seriously as an essential part of local culture and business.
The positivity at OPPA!, which is something I actively work to cultivate—our space is one where people feel valued, included, and encouraged to be their best.
What I Want People to Know
If you’re looking for a theatre company that values community as much as creativity, OPPA! is your place. We believe that theatre isn’t just about putting on great productions—it’s about bringing people together, telling important stories, and giving everyone a chance to participate.

And if you’re someone looking to support the arts, know that your involvement—whether as an audience member, a donor, a volunteer, or a performer—truly makes a difference.

At OPPA!, we say it best in our tagline: “Where Community Meets Creativity.” That’s who we are, and that’s what we’ll always strive to be.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The arts are essential to a thriving society, but they don’t exist in a vacuum. While large, fully funded institutions like Broadway, national touring productions, and major museums often dominate the conversation, community-level arts organizations—particularly community theatre—are where the arts truly touch people’s lives in a direct and personal way.

Supporting artists and creatives requires more than just financial backing; it requires a societal shift in how we value, engage with, and invest in local creativity.

The Unique Role of Community Theatre in the Arts Ecosystem
Community theatre isn’t about big budgets, Broadway lights, or professional contracts. It’s about people—neighbors, teachers, students, retirees, and professionals—coming together to create something meaningful.

Unlike fully funded arts organizations with dedicated grants, corporate sponsorships, and large donor networks, community theatre operates with:

Limited funding—often relying on ticket sales, volunteers, and grassroots fundraising.
A mix of experience levels—from seasoned performers to absolute beginners.
A mission of accessibility—anyone, regardless of skill or financial situation, should be able to participate.
A direct impact on local communities—boosting economic activity for nearby businesses, fostering social connection, and providing creative outlets for people of all ages.
But here’s the challenge: Society often undervalues community-level arts because they aren’t seen as “professional” or “high-profile.” Yet, community theatre is where creativity is cultivated, where future professionals get their start, and where the love of storytelling is passed from generation to generation.

How Society Can Better Support Community Theatre & the Arts at a Local Level
1. Recognize That Community Theatre is Essential, Not Just Extra
Theatre is more than entertainment—it’s education, therapy, history, and connection. A thriving community theatre scene:

Fosters local talent and gives emerging artists a space to grow.
Provides affordable cultural experiences for audiences who may not have access to big productions.
Brings communities together by telling stories that matter to the people who live there.
Society needs to shift the mindset from “community theatre is a hobby” to “community theatre is a vital part of cultural and civic life.”

2. Increase Local Arts Funding & Financial Support
Most community theatres, including OPPA!, operate with tight budgets that rely on:

Small grants and individual donations (which fluctuate year to year).
Volunteer work (essential but not always sustainable).
Ticket sales, which alone rarely cover the full cost of productions.
What can be done?
More municipal arts grants—Cities and towns should provide sustainable funding for local theatres, ensuring they can grow instead of just survive.
Tax incentives for local arts donors—Encouraging individuals and businesses to support community theatres.
Stronger corporate partnerships—Businesses benefit from a thriving arts scene (restaurants, shops, and hotels all see increased traffic), so investing in local theatre is an investment in the community economy.
3. Make It Easier for People to Participate
Theatre should be for everyone, not just those with formal training or financial means. To ensure barriers are removed, we need:

Free or low-cost arts education programs to train the next generation of performers, designers, and technicians.
Financial assistance for participation—so no one is excluded due to tuition costs.
Venues that are accessible and affordable, so theatre isn’t limited to elite spaces.
At OPPA!, we’ve worked hard to keep education costs low and create scholarships for students who need them. But we can’t do it alone—continued funding and community support make this possible.

4. Encourage Local Businesses & Government to See the Economic Impact of Community Arts
Theatre drives economic growth. When people attend local productions, they also:

Eat at restaurants.
Shop at local stores.
Book hotels.
Use public transit.
A strong arts scene increases property values, improves tourism, and makes communities more attractive places to live and work. Local governments and businesses should invest in community arts the same way they invest in infrastructure or small business development—because community arts are an economic engine, not just a luxury.

5. Celebrate & Promote Community-Level Artists, Not Just Big Productions
While Broadway and major regional theatres are fantastic, society needs to celebrate and invest in the artists working at the grassroots level. That means:

Giving more press and visibility to community productions.
Encouraging social media engagement with local theatres.
Attending and financially supporting smaller productions, not just big-budget shows.
6. Advocate for the Arts in Policy & Legislation
If we want thriving local arts, we need policies that support them. This means:

Stronger public funding at the city, state, and national levels.
Zoning laws that allow theatres and art spaces to exist and expand.
Better protection and financial support for nonprofit arts organizations.
When arts funding is cut, it’s community-level organizations that suffer first—not the large institutions with endowments and corporate sponsors.

What Happens When Society Supports the Arts at a Community Level?
At OPPA!, we’ve seen firsthand what’s possible when a community invests in its artists:

A small theatre grows from a 2,000-square-foot space into a thriving performing arts center.
Hundreds of students discover their confidence, voice, and passion through theatre education.
Families, friends, and strangers come together through storytelling.
Businesses thrive because the arts “change the clock” of the neighborhood.
This isn’t theoretical—it’s real, tangible proof that supporting the arts strengthens communities.

Final Thought: If You Want a Stronger Society, Support the Arts—Locally.
A society that values, funds, and supports the arts at a community level is one that:
✔️ Is more connected
✔️ Is more economically vibrant
✔️ Is more innovative
✔️ Is more inclusive

If we want to truly support artists and creatives, we must start where art begins—right in our own communities. Community theatre is not just a stepping stone to bigger things—it IS the big thing for so many people. It deserves the same respect, investment, and recognition as any other cultural institution.

At OPPA!, we live by our tagline:
🎭 “Where Community Meets Creativity.” 🎭

It’s not just a slogan—it’s a mission. And if society wants the arts to thrive, it must embrace that same mission at every level.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist and creative isn’t just the work itself—it’s the impact that work has on people. Theatre, especially at the community level, is more than just entertainment; it’s a force for good. It brings people together, tells stories that need to be told, and creates opportunities for personal growth, connection, and transformation.

Changing Lives Through Community Theatre
At On Pitch Performing Arts (OPPA!), I’ve seen firsthand how theatre changes lives—not just for those on stage but for everyone involved:

The shy kid who finds their voice in an acting class.
The teenager who learns discipline and teamwork through rehearsals.
The adult who rediscovers a passion for storytelling after years away.
The family who makes attending local productions a tradition.
The audience member who experiences a story that shifts their perspective or brings them joy at a time when they need it most.
Community theatre is accessible and welcoming, providing a creative home for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Unlike professional theatre, where only a select few make it through auditions or training programs, community theatre invites everyone to participate—whether as a performer, volunteer, crew member, or audience member. That inclusivity is powerful.

Impact on Young People: The Next Generation of Creatives
One of the greatest joys of my work is watching young artists grow. Through OPPA!’s education programs, productions, and master classes with Broadway professionals, I get to see young people discover their confidence, develop their talents, and realize that their voices matter.

They learn discipline, responsibility, and resilience—because theatre isn’t easy, and it requires commitment.
They build lifelong friendships with others who share their passion.
They gain confidence—whether they go on to pursue a career in the arts or apply what they’ve learned to other aspects of life.
They discover the magic of storytelling and the power of using their voice.
There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being part of that journey, about knowing that a young person will carry the lessons of theatre with them for the rest of their life—whether they become an artist, a teacher, a leader, or just someone who deeply values the arts.

Building a Stronger Community Through the Arts
Theatre doesn’t just serve the people in it—it strengthens entire communities. When a town or city has a thriving arts scene:
✔️ Local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic.
✔️ People find connection in shared cultural experiences.
✔️ New voices and perspectives are amplified, sparking dialogue and change.
✔️ Creative outlets help combat stress and isolation, improving mental health.

Theatre changes the energy of a place, and I’ve seen OPPA! do just that in Layton. A once-small theatre is now a major gathering place where people celebrate creativity, support local talent, and feel a sense of belonging. That, to me, is the most rewarding aspect of all.

Final Thought: Why I Do What I Do
At the end of the day, it’s not about the productions, the ticket sales, or even the applause. It’s about the people. It’s about seeing a kid take the stage for the first time with wide eyes and a nervous smile. It’s about hearing an audience member say, “That show made me feel something I didn’t expect.” It’s about creating a space where everyone belongs and everyone has a story to tell.

That’s why I do what I do. That’s why I love this work. And that’s why I will always fight to ensure community theatre thrives.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.onpitchperformingarts.com/home.html
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonstauffer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandonLStauffer