Actor Jon Bernthal brings Broadway to Ojai

Actors Marin Ireland and Jon Bernthal rehearse for the upcoming “Ironbound” performances, with Nordhoff students observing. 

Acclaimed Hollywood actor and longtime Ojai resident Jon Bernthal is launching a major cultural and educational initiative aimed at revitalizing the performing arts for local students and the wider Ojai Valley community. Bernthal, known for his roles in “The Punisher,” “King Richard,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” as well as hit series like “The Walking Dead” and “The Bear,” is spearheading the creation of the Ojai Theatre Festival, which will bring Broadway-caliber productions to Ojai while investing directly in the local school district.

The Ojai Theatre Festival will open with “Ironbound” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok, a raw, timely story of a Polish immigrant’s struggle to survive in America. Bernthal will star alongside Tony-nominated actress Marin Ireland, acclaimed for her emotionally powerful work on both stage and screen. 

Performances will take place at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 E. Ojai Ave., over two weekends, May 9 to 11 and May 16 to 18, with preview performances on Wednesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 8. Due to high demand and quick sellouts, the team has added a Saturday matinee on May 17 at 3 p.m. and a final evening show on Sunday, May 18, at 7 p.m. Unlike many celebrity-backed projects, Bernthal is funding every aspect of the production himself. Tickets are $35, with proceeds going directly to support the Nordhoff Theatre Arts Program. 

Speaking about the initiative, Bernthal told me launching this theater festival has been a dream years in the making: “Ever since studying (at the Moscow Art Theatre School) in Russia, I’ve wanted to create a theater focused equally on performance and education, passing knowledge from experienced artists on to younger generations.”

Marin Ireland, Jon Bernthal, Shiloh Fernandez, Michael Govan Hackett rehearsing Ironbound by Martyna Majok

At the heart of the project is the transformation of the former Chaparral Auditorium, a long-unused performance space owned by Ojai Unified School District in downtown Ojai. Bernthal and his producing partners, Josh Bitton and Isidora Goreshter, are converting the site into a fully equipped black box theater designed for both professional productions and use by Nordhoff Junior High and High School.

“We’re building a black box theater within the existing structure,” Bernthal explained. “We’re installing professional-grade lighting and sound systems that will stay permanently for Nordhoff students to use for their own productions.”

According to John Hoj, director of Nordhoff Theatre Arts, Chaparral fills a much-needed gap between the district’s large and small performance spaces. “Chaparral is the sweet spot in size, location, and flexibility,” he said. “It creates a unique theater experience where no one is more than 30 feet from the action.”

Beyond infrastructure, the festival is placing a strong emphasis on educational access. Rehearsals are open to Nordhoff students, who have had the opportunity to observe the process, participate in talkbacks with the cast and crew, and receive mentorship from visiting actors and directors. 

While not open to the public, these sessions offer rare behind-the-scenes access to working professionals. “Students are getting real-time exposure to actors, directors, and technicians,” Hoj said. “The mentorships and learning opportunities are already creating special moments for our theater students.”

Bernthal added: “This is really what the project is about. We’re excited, and I believe audiences are going to really connect with the play.”

Looking ahead, the initiative is designed as a long-term collaboration with the school district, and Bernthal hopes the festival will continue to grow. “Ultimately, we hope to build a program that positions Nordhoff as a leading center for professional-level theater training,” he said. “The focus right now is on delivering world-class productions here in Ojai, at an affordable price, and inspiring young artists the way transformative theater experiences inspired me growing up.”

This story was first published by the Ojai Valley News.