Students from the Orange County Department of Education’s (OCDE) ACCESS and Connections programs recently took the stage at the Samueli Theater, located within the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, for the Summer at the Center 2026 performance. Participants in the two-week program worked with professional artists to learn singing, dancing, and acting, culminating in a live showcase for family, friends, and staff.
The audience witnessed a seamless performance, making it difficult to believe the students had only been rehearsing together for two weeks. This annual initiative, now celebrating its 35th anniversary, is a long-standing partnership between OCDE and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It provides students from OCDE's alternative education programs with a unique opportunity to engage with professional teaching artists.
Dr. Maria Martinez-Poulin, Chief of ACCESS, emphasized the program's impact, stating, "Summer at the Center reminds us that every young person has extraordinary potential." She added that watching students perform with confidence, joy, and pride was especially moving, given that many have overcome significant challenges to reach this point. Through the arts, students discover their voices, build confidence, and envision new possibilities for their futures.
Professional artists lead the program, starting with interviews designed to gauge students' willingness to step outside their comfort zones rather than to assess talent. Over the two weeks, students build confidence to perform for an audience, establish new relationships, and acquire new artistic skills. Lisa Lanier, OCDE’s director of state and federal programs, highlighted the visible transformation. She noted that students often begin the program with varying levels of confidence, but the final performances clearly reflect personal growth, courage, and a sense of belonging that endures long after the show concludes.
The performance featured various musical numbers, and each student introduced themselves to share their future career aspirations, ranging from astronauts to barbers. This segment showcased both the group's diversity and the confidence they had developed. At the show's conclusion, students described their experience using single words such as “pride,” “excited,” and “family,” reflecting the strong community formed during the program. Students also acknowledged those who inspired them, including friends, family members, and staff from ACCESS and Segerstrom. One student conveyed gratitude, saying, “I’m just really happy to be here,” thanking teachers for inspiring commitment to the show.
