Casey Comstock-Mills speaks with George Alger about TOArts.
About TOArts
TOArts is the presenting and programming nonprofit partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. In addition to presenting live shows, the organization hosts a wide range of community support initiatives, arts education, and career development programs.
The Arts Workforce Pipeline
TOArts features a “first five to first job” pipeline designed to provide arts exposure, creative interaction, and career development from elementary school all the way through to adult working professionals. Their core programs include:
- Kids in the Arts: Brings over 7,000 elementary students into the theaters for free performances.
- Junior Conservatory: A newly launched summer program for middle schoolers (grades 6–8) to engage creatively with the arts.
- Creators Conservatory: A 2.5-week summer program celebrating its fourth year, where high school students learn theater production and mount their own shows.
- Youth Arts Leadership Academy: A school-year program for high school and college students that culminates in a student-designed event, such as a recent film festival.
- Artist Incubator: A year-long professional development program for adult, working artists to advance their specific creative discipline.
Success Story
To illustrate the pipeline in action, Comstock-Mills shares the story of a student named Chris Coly. He initially entered the Creators Conservatory for acting, but the program’s requirement to learn all elements of production led him to discover a passion for behind-the-scenes work. After participating in the Leadership Academy for two years, he was hired as a stagehand at the Performing Arts Center and joined the inaugural Artist Incubator cohort to jumpstart his professional career.
Eligibility and Inclusivity
The programs are open via an application process to any student with a vested interest in the arts, regardless of prior performing experience. TOArts also offers a wide range of scholarships to ensure financial needs do not act as a barrier to participation.
Developing Multi-Hyphenate Skills
When addressing the economic challenges of pursuing an artistic career, Comstock-Mills emphasizes the value of cultivating “multi-hyphenate” artists. Rather than hyper-fixating on a single skill, students are encouraged to explore multiple facets—such as writing, directing, and design—to expand their employment opportunities.
Furthermore, the program values how arts education translates to other fields. Many students utilize these critical creative skill sets to transition into unrelated majors like pre-med, psychology, or engineering tailored for themed entertainment.
TV broadcast week beginning 05/31/26
Producer: George Alger
Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org
Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com