Fostering a continual stream of community theater performers is only a small part of the Whidbey Playhouse’s youth drama program.

Stan Thomas, the program’s director, said the underlying messages and life skills being taught during the sessions are far more important, and to him, much more gratifying.

“Theater is important for kids,” Thomas said. “We teach reading, writing and arithmetic in school. You might use those things when you grow older, but what theater training does, it teaches kids how to stand up and present themselves in front of a group of people. That’s something they can use no matter what they decide to do.

“How to speak loudly, clearly, distinctly, how to get their ideas across, these are all things we teach them.”

The after-school program, titled the “Would Be Players,” continues to grow in popularity since Thomas introduced it in Oak Harbor four years ago.

He remembers 12 kids signing up during the program’s first session in March, 2012. That number has nearly tripled, with 32 kids participating in the most recent session over the winter.

The spring workshops begin the week of March 7. The program is designed for students ages 6 to 18 and is broken into three different levels based on age and experience.

There is a “Novice” class for those ages 6 to 11 and new to the stage. They will meet from 3:45-5:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

An “Entertainer” class for ages 11 to 14 meets from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

A “Thespian” class for ages 13 to 18 is designed for more experienced students. It meets from 3:30-5:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and is taught by Thomas.

The cost for the eight-week program is $75 per student with a limit of 20 students per class. Students are asked to pre-register by Feb. 29. Forms are available at the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Boulevard, in Oak Harbor.

The spring session culminates with live performances April 26-28 open to families of the actors.

Thomas, vice president of the Playhouse board, has been involved with community theater since 1990 when he was living in Illinois and continues to direct and act in plays in Oak Harbor. In Illinois, he helped run a summer theater program for kids and wanted to continue those teachings with youth on Whidbey Island.

He said he believes the program is important because it teaches social skills and teamwork and builds confidence, self-esteem and comaraderie.

The actors learn they must work together and depend on each other for success, he said.

“I refer to theater as a team sport,” Thomas said. “Everybody has to do their own part in order to make the production work. Getting up on stage to perform can be nervewracking. It helps take a shy child out of his or her shell. It teaches kids discipline. They have to learn their lines.”

“And it’s being part of a team. In rehearsals, you are actually practicing how you are going to perform it. That’s the same as practicing football or baseball. You are trying to hone skills,” he said. “If you don’t learn those things, you let your teammates down. It’s the same in theater.”

Chris Scoggin, a Playhouse volunteer who helps with lighting and sound, said he’s watched youth take big steps in personal growth and maturity in the “Would Be Players” program. His son, Mason, a freshman at Oak Harbor High School, has participated for two years.

“This is much more built around the idea of risk taking without the fear of failure because you will fail,” Chris Scoggin said. “Don’t be afraid of failing because it will happen. That’s part of the deal, so move on.”

Getting back up and continuing is part of the growth.

“I’ve watched some kids come in super shy,” Scoggin said. “By the end of a couple sessions, they are tearing the place up.”

The students’ growth has been pleasing to Thomas, a former special education teacher in Illinois and Texas.

Some of his advanced pupils have graduated to the Playhouse’s big stage. Kaitlin Barrailler, 14, is part of the cast of “Moon Over Buffalo,” which played this month at the Playhouse and concluded over the weekend. Barrailler played the part of a woman in her early 20s.

She was one of a handful of teens from the program who performed onstage during the Playhouse’s 50th anniversary season. Kyle Caporgno performed in “The Lion in Winter.” Tatyana Moore and Trianna Kobelin had roles in “Godspell.”

Brenden Darnell recently earned a part while auditioning for the upcoming play, “Lost in Yonkers.”

Wollie Fowkes, who played the lead role in “Godspell,” took some of Thomas’ classes in the past.

“I have a core group that has been with me for four years,” Thomas said.

“These kids are all best friends. They hang around as a group. They all love each other. It’s a cool thing to see that happening. They’re making friendships that last a lifetime.”

As a teacher, Thomas said he felt a responsibility to help develop good citizens. He said exposure to theater also plays a role in that area.

“Plays always teach a message,” Thomas said. “I think the messages we put in plays and do in skits get the message across to kids on how they have to live their lives in order to get along with others.

“Besides,” Thomas added, “This is taking kids away from computers and phones and giving them social skills.”

Cell phones are placed on a table just before the start of classes.

“It’s not too hard,” Mason Scoggin said. “His classes always have something for us to do. There’s not much down time.”