Since 1994, Boxtales has filled gaps to ensure that populations who are typically excluded from the arts can participate and reap the benefits of performing arts education. Boxtales’ mission is to bring myths and folktales from around the world to young audiences using masks, movement, music, and storytelling. We believe that the deep collective wisdom represented in old stories, particularly multicultural myths and folktales, is an important tool to honor diversity while showing youth that at the core, we have more in common than differences. Our performances help young children (5 – 12 years) inspire creativity, strengthen cultural pride, encourage tolerance, and engage young people in the excitement and immediacy of live performance. We hear from students that stories honoring diverse cultural traditions gives them a greater sense of self-worth, greater empathy for their peers, and helps them find their voice/place in the community. Boxtales programming offers live in-person assemblies, a teen summer camp, virtual assemblies, and arts exposure opportunities with partner organizations.

As a company, Boxtales has created over 20 original theater works based on world mythology and folklore. These original works were devised by Boxtales members trained by master teachers in performance traditions in the cultures from which the stories came and designed and developed to meet California State Arts Standards. Currently, we have 4 original, award-winning, multicultural performances in repertory, one of which is bilingual. Boxtales is Santa Barbara’s only professional touring theatre company, and it averages 90 performances a year throughout Santa Barbara County and the western states. Shirlie Ririe, former head of Young Audiences of America, endorsed Boxtales as “The best youth program in America.” We are honored and humbled to have served 600,000+ children and their families, inspiring imaginations, creativity, compassion, and a love for the arts.