Kevin “Blax” Burroughs is the Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company , shown here on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Kevin “Blax” Burroughs was 10 or 11 years old when he saw “Disney On Ice” at what’s now known as Pechanga Arena in San Diego.
“Representation is the biggest factor of my career. With Oceanside being ethnically diverse, I want to make sure that all of those communities are being heard and respected and have a chance to tell their stories. I want to bring life into Oceanside Theatre Company, but also represent people who actually live in Oceanside,” he said.
In addition to the theatergoers, all but one member of the cast for “Chicken & Biscuits” were performing at OTC for the first time. Next up at OTC this fall is the West Coast premiere of “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical,” which spoofs the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” Burroughs says he discovered that theater was “where it’s at” in 2010 while a student performer at SDSCPA. That year, the school partnered with San Diego Repertory Theatre on a production of the musical “Hairspray.” It was several years later, after he’d graduated, that he returned to SDSCPA to choreograph a production in place of his former dance teacher, who’d been injured.
In his current leadership role, Burroughs is mindful of those he leads, but also of his own personal responsibility.