Celebrating Six Years of Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers

By: Kytriena Payseno-Saidman (Creator)

Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers' Creator Kytriena Payseno-Saidman | Photo Credits Osk Ingadottir

As I look ahead to our 6th anniversary of Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. What began as a dream—to keep the arts alive and accessible in our communities—has grown into something larger than I ever imagined.

Over the past six years, we have connected thousands of professional artists with youth, seniors, and families nationwide. Together, we have kept creativity thriving in schools, homeschool networks, community centers, and senior spaces. Each workshop, class, session, rehearsal, and performance reminds me why the arts are essential—not as a luxury, but as a foundation for connection, growth, and joy.

My journey as an artist and educator spans more than 30 years, beginning with my own first experiences in after-school arts enrichment programs. Since then, I have worn many hats—actor, director, choreographer, producer, educator, and arts advocate—and each has shaped how I approach this work. Through Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers, I’ve had the privilege of forming partnerships with schools and organizations across the country, reaching thousands in our communities. What makes this work most meaningful is seeing our participants light up when they create something new—whether it’s performing a monologue, painting a canvas, or choreographing their first dance.

Beyond Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers, I also serve as the Artistic Director of Lyons Community Theatre, where I continue to create spaces for storytelling and collaboration. I’ve also been blessed to help build arts programs through organizations like Theatre 150/Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, SpeakEZ, Glass Moon Theatre Company, Creative Dance Kids, Rocky Mountain Theatre of the Arts, KidSkits, The E-Project and Ojai Arts Conservatory. At the same time, I am deeply proud of the roles I hold offstage: I am a wife to my supportive husband, Michael Saidman, and a mother to a beautiful daughter, Sadie Saidman, that grounds and inspires me every day. I often describe myself as a lover, mother, daughter, sister, biz owner, actor, director, producer, designer, choreographer, and dreamer—and each of those roles carries its own story and meaning.

As we step into our seventh year, my vision remains clear: to continue expanding access to the arts, fostering creative growth, and inspiring the next generation of dreamers. The arts are not just performances or programs—they are lifelines of community and imagination. Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers exists because so many believe, as I do, that creativity should be nurtured at every age. Together, we will keep planting seeds of growth, and together, we will keep the arts alive.

With love and gratitude,

Kytriena Payseno Founder & Creator, Future Hearts, Minds & Dreamers

Artistic Director, Lyons Community Theatre

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination."

-Albert Einstein