The History of On Pitch Performing Arts
“Now hear me out…” — The Sentence That Started It All
OPPA! didn’t begin with a packed house or a Broadway budget.
It started with two people, a dream, and the unwavering belief that theatre could quite literally save lives—because for both Brandon Stauffer and Charlene Adams, it had.
In 2016, with equal parts passion and delusion (the good kind), Brandon and Charlene opened the doors to a 2,000-square-foot warehouse in Layton, Utah. The original plan was modest: offer some theatre education classes, a few private lessons, and maybe toss in a kids' show once in a while under the name Pitched Perfectly.
They built budgets. They dreamed big. They were sure 80 students would come pouring through the doors that first semester.
Instead… they got four.
But those four were enough to start something real. Their first production was performed in the warehouse—hot as an oven, no air conditioning, two tiny offices, and one bathroom for everyone (yes, everyone). But it was magic. It didn’t matter that the audience had to fan themselves with programs or that there was duct tape involved in more places than one might expect. The energy was electric.
That same year, Brandon walked into Charlene’s studio and said five fateful words:
“Now hear me out…”
It was in that moment that On Pitch Performing Arts—OPPA!—was truly born. The name came first, then the abbreviation (because nobody has time to type the full thing 300 times a day). And yes, we do love yelling “OPPA!” whenever someone drops a prop.
At first, the plan was still small. A couple of youth shows. Some classes. But it became immediately clear that the community wanted more. So, they gave more—hosting the first three full productions in that tiny, sweltering warehouse, creating unforgettable experiences on a shoestring budget and a whole lot of sweat equity.
After one particularly steamy summer show, Brandon again appeared in Charlene’s office with another, “Now hear me out…” and the duo found themselves touring a building that would change the trajectory of everything: the former Marinello School of Beauty, built by Fran Brown and owned by Ron Inkley. It had a lobby. Classrooms. A hallway that seemed to go on forever. They weren’t looking to move—but how could they not?
They signed the lease for 17,000 square feet on November 1st.
They moved in on November 15th.
They opened a show—Holiday Follies—on December 1st.
Was everything ready? Of course not. Were the lights fully functional? Sort of. But the show went on.
And from there, OPPA! grew. Quickly.
From Warehouse to Arts Hub
Within a year, OPPA! was welcoming 60–75 students per semester. The costume shop, led by the always-fabulous Amanda Larsen, was overflowing with tulle and dreams. Staff members found themselves turning every square foot of the building into a classroom, a rehearsal room, or a creative workspace. Still, it wasn’t enough.
So… Brandon walked into Charlene’s office again.
“Now hear me out…”
They expanded—again.
First, by adding a second shop space down the street.
Then a rehearsal room upstairs.
Then… another room.
And then another.
Eventually, OPPA! occupied nearly 75% of the building, and in 2023, added another 5,000 square feet in the form of dedicated storage, a new rehearsal hall, and technical shop space, bringing the organization’s footprint to nearly 22,000 square feet.
Today, OPPA! runs 24 productions a year, from mainstage musicals to intimate plays, experimental works on the Creators Stage, and a robust Education Series for young performers. Over 750 students now participate in OPPA!'s weekly classes in acting, voice, dance, technical theatre, piano, and visual arts—including special homeschool and adult programs. The Education Department has its own thriving identity, shaped by community need and artistic integrity.
We’ve welcomed over 20,000 audience members annually, hosted Broadway stars for master classes and concerts, and provided 40,000+ hours of volunteer opportunity every year. From free art galleries to pay-what-you-can ticket nights and discount programs supported by RAMP and Layton City, accessibility and inclusion have remained central to everything we do.
And Still—We Dream Bigger
We’ve come a long way from that one bathroom warehouse.
OPPA! is now a nonprofit certified by GuideStar, supported by foundations, businesses, and the heart of its community. We’ve launched innovative programs like Playwrights and Pages, a free community book and theatre club. We’ve partnered with local organizations, supported local artists in our free Creative Arts Gallery, and developed future-forward plans with developers and arts leaders to build a new, custom-built theatre that meets the demands of the next generation.
From two founders and a handful of students to 18 staff members, hundreds of volunteers, and one very persistent belief—that theatre builds community—OPPA! has always been about more than shows. It’s about creating a home for creativity, connection, and belonging.
So yes, we may be small.
But we do big things.
And it all starts, as it always has, with a simple phrase:
“Now hear me out…”