Oxnard, Calif. – In a memorable classroom experience, Driffill Elementary students watched a live rendition of the classic Gilbert & Sullivan operetta H.M.S. Pinafore on Thursday. The performance was presented by the Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company, which is currently staging the show at Theatre on the Hill in Thousand Oaks.
Teacher‑leader brings the arts to her students
Dr. Kimberley Dufau, a teacher at Driffill and a member of the repertory company, organized the event to give her pupils a first‑hand look at opera. “I love my students, I love their families, and I wanted them to see what we have been working on,” Dr. Dufau said after the performance. “We have been working really hard, and it is great for everyone to be a part of the arts and especially opera.”
Mayor joins the audience
Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur attended the performance alongside the children. Like many of the students, the mayor noted it was his first time seeing a live opera, and he praised the experience as a valuable cultural lesson for the community.
Students respond to the story
Fifth‑grader Diego Valero followed the plot easily, explaining, “It is about a girl who wanted to marry a poor boy, but then her dad wanted her to marry a rich boy… they solved it at the end and she married the poor boy.” Fellow fifth‑grader Sofia Avila added, “I think it is a very nice way for kids to learn.” Fourth‑grader Guadalupe Damian described the show as “really good, sort of funny.”
Professional singer hopes to inspire
Bass‑baritone Patrick Blackwell, who also sings with L.A. Opera, performed with the company and expressed hope that the experience would encourage students to pursue the arts. “Love music and be part of it, if you want to, it is a great art form—opera, operetta, musical theater—it is all a wonderful art form,” Blackwell said. “Pursue your dreams if this is what you want to do.”
Community discounts and future shows
Dr. Dufau announced a special discount night for “starving artists” who wish to attend future performances. The production of H.M.S. Pinafore runs through October 18 at Theatre on the Hill. More information, including ticket pricing and the discount night, is available at hillcrestarts.com.
The visit underscores Driffill Elementary’s commitment to integrating arts education into the curriculum and highlights the value of local cultural partnerships in enriching students’ lives.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
