FOR DUO, THE PLAY'S THE THING; PAIR POOL SKILLS FOR PRODUCTION.

Byline: Victoria Giraud People and Places

Performing in theater brought Sandy Gaskell-Oei and Jennifer Beall together 12 years ago when they were 16 and 15, respectively.

This month they've combined their talents - Sandy as director, Jennifer as choreographer - for the Young Artists Ensemble's production of ``Once Upon a Mattress,'' playing through May 16.

The enthusiastic twosome have remained good friends over the years, and their synergy tells in the production.

``It's pretty easy for us to get on the same wavelength,'' Beall said. ``We have this understanding for theater. Since we both grew up together in theater, we have the same philosophy.''

Their first show together was the ensemble's production of ``Gypsy'' at Westlake High School. Gaskell-Oei played Mama Rose and Beall was dainty June, ``the bad daughter.''

``We just loved it,'' Beall said about acting. ``Other kids played sports; Sandy and I were doing shows.''

Although both have kept their theater interests, it hasn't led to a professional career.

Gaskell-Oei, a Thousand Oaks native whose parents hail from Liverpool, England, says she wears ``a lot of hats: mom, wife, director and mother to 30 teen-agers when I'm here (at the Conejo Valley Adult School auditorium).''

She balances motherhood - daughter Amy is 10 months old - with creating publicity for the Young Artists Ensemble, working as a youth group director for St. Matthew's Church with her husband, Andre Oei (the music director for the current play), and serving as a temporary employee for her mother at a local law firm.

Beall, who is married to cartoonist Jason Love, whom she's known since their days at Newbury Park High School, is a kindergarten teacher at Brookside Elementary in Oak Park.

``I love teaching,'' she said. ``They're still so honest, so unjaded, and want to learn everything. It's like I have 20 of my own kids.''

Growing up in a ``very fun family,'' Gaskell-Oei didn't think about theater until junior high, when she noticed an audition flier for the Young Artists Ensemble. She tried out for the teen summer musical ``The Music Man'' when she was 13.

``I didn't even know I could sing,'' she said, recalling that they made it simple: ``Can you sing `Happy Birthday?' '' She sang, learned a simple dance and was cast in the chorus.

By age 19, Gaskell-Oei was asked to direct ``Narnia'' for the ensemble, and she kept on directing between stints.

``When I found out what I wanted to do, I was unstoppable,'' she said, laughing.

Local theater audiences have seen Gaskell-Oei as Adelaide in ``Guys and Dolls,'' where she met her husband, Andre (he was conducting the band), as Vera in ``Mame'' and as Shelby in ``Steel Magnolias,'' to name a few. Ironically, the Shelby character's due date for her baby was the same date predicted for Gaskell-Oei's own child.

Beall's theatrical experiences date back to nursery school.

``Mom always played piano. She'd play little songs, and we'd sing together,'' she said. ``I did a talent show at 5. She heard about `Gypsy' (a Showboat Theater production), and I was cast as Baby June. From that point on (age 8), I started doing shows, and Mom started doing them with me.''

Her interest in choreography began in junior high when she was part of the chorus group and her teacher asked for some moves to go with the songs. She continued doing it in high school as part of the Newbury Park High Song and Dance Company, and as a cheerleader.

Last year Beall played the lead role of Laurie in the Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of ``Oklahoma'' at the Civic Arts Plaza. It was challenging for a new teacher.

``I was trying to teach and do a play,'' she said. ``It was pretty rough.''

The experience underlined Beall's desire to continue teaching and not pursue a professional career in entertainment.

``You have to be very, very committed, and it's kind of scary,'' she said. ``It'd nice to be where I'm at.''

Gaskell-Oei agrees with Beall's assessment.

``I like to eat too much and be able to pay my rent,'' she said. ``Would it be as much fun as a career if I had to do it rather than get to do it?''

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) Jennifer Beall, left, and Sandy Gaskell-Oei choreograph and direct plays at the Conejo Valley Adult School.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News