The Wayward Artist was founded in 2017 by Craig Tyrl and Kristin Campbell. Armed with How to Start a Theatre Company by Reginald Nelson, they built the company from the ground up. Much of that year was spent forming the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, raising funds, recruiting a founding ensemble of artists, securing a venue, and establishing the infrastructure needed to produce a full season.

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In 2018, The Wayward Artist launched its first season, Faith, cementing itself as part of the Orange County theatre community. The season opened with a sold-out run of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell. By the year's end, the company had found its niche—to be a steppingstone for emerging artists seeking professional experience at the start of their careers. The Wayward Artist became a space for bold, thought-provoking work, centering BIPOC and LGBTQIA voices, and serving as a refuge for the lost, the naked, and the vulnerable.

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Over the next seven years, The Wayward Artist built a lasting legacy. In 2018, Wayward joined the Orange County Theatre Guild (OCTG), an organization dedicated to improving theatre across the county. The company's success was reflected in nearly 100 OCTG Award nominations over three years. A close partnership with the Orange County Playwrights Alliance emerged, fostering new work. The Wayward Artist also opened its doors to other arts organizations, providing a home for storytelling at Grand Central. Theatre for Young Audiences grew out of the passions of resident artists committed to inspiring the next generation. Most importantly, the company flourished—expanding its audience, resources, and influence.

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In 2024, The Wayward Artist entered a period of transition. Founding Artistic Director Craig Tyrl assumed the role of board president, allowing new leadership to take artistic control. The company maintained its high standard of excellence into its seventh season, but as its lease at Grand Central ended, so too did the certainty of its future. The weight of sustaining the company led to a moment of reflection.

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In 2025, a new chapter began. Craig Tyrl, now affectionately known as Pastor Craig at Irvine United Congregational Church (IUCC), stepped away from daily operations to pursue ordination in the United Church of Christ. His full-time ministry, which began in 2023, was deeply intertwined with The Wayward Artist from the start—IUCC’s unwavering support had always been central to the company’s success. The missions of both organizations are in complete alignment.

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With recent upgrades to IUCC’s lighting and sound systems, the sanctuary became an ideal space for sacred storytelling. Moving The Wayward Artist to IUCC ensured the continuation of its remarkable legacy while giving birth to a full-time theatre ministry. The Wayward Artist remains a home for the lost, the naked, and the vulnerable.

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Though IUCC provides leadership and support, The Wayward Artist is not a Christian nonprofit seeking to proselytize its artists or audiences. Instead, it remains committed to telling stories that uplift the marginalized, the oppressed, and those too often overlooked by society. Throughout its existence, The Wayward Artist has made significant contributions to the local arts scene—providing a platform for diverse voices and fostering a community of artists dedicated to transforming a wayward world. Pastor Craig continues to lead the company into this exciting new future.