Brian Stokes Mitchell as Conrad Birdie with other actors on stage in Bye Bye Birdie. Brian 'Stokes' went on to become a Tony award winner, leading man in Broadway theatre in New York. He got his start in Junior Theatre's Bye Bye Birdie at the age of 14. Established in 1948 in Balboa Park, San Diego Junior Theatre is the oldest youth theatre program in the United States, producing shows acted and crewed by children ages 8-18.