Young talents shine in children's theater on Long Island

Noah Rodriguez, 10, center, as the White Rabbit in the South Shore Theatre children's production of "Alice in Wonderland" in Lindenhurst on May 22. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Jamie Laier may be only 14, but her eyes gleam like two spotlights when asked about what she plans to do when she gets older.
"I really want to make it to Broadway," says the Lindenhurst teen. "I know that’s a rare thing. So if that doesn’t happen, I want to run a theater or be a music teacher or director."
Whether or not she becomes the next Idina Menzel, she's taken the first step, and it's of the dance variety. She's one of many Long Island tots, teens and tweens who've discovered the joy of doing children's theater, most recently as the rebellious Ariel in last month's production of "Footloose" at South Shore Theatre Experience in Lindenhurst.
But doing theater isn't just about getting to Broadway. For many kids, it's all about gaining self-confidence, making friends and expressing themselves by being someone else.
Building confidence and friendships
From left, Violet Schwartz and Charlotte Mador rehearse for South Shore Theatre Experience's "Alice in Wonderland" in Lindenhurst. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
There's nothing as intoxicating as drinking in the applause at the end of a show. Feeling that love from the audience shows the power of performing to help build a child's confidence.
"Doing theater certainly helps with self-esteem, especially after you do the show and the audience says ‘You were so good. You did the character so well,’ " says Dorien Castro, 18, of Lindenhurst, who plays Officer Lockstock in Manes Studio Theatre’s production of "Urinetown" on June 20-22.
For Daniel Bishop, 30, the director of "Urinetown," who was 10 when he did his first show, being onstage helped him when it came to public speaking. "Whether it’s Shakespeare or a musical and just getting to perform in front of an audience of two or 200 or 2,000, theater really helps you gain that confidence to perform to a crowd," he says.

From right, Noah Rodriguez, 10, as the White Rabbit and Alice Price as Alice in the South Shore Theatre children's production of "Alice in Wonderland." Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
For Laier, theater has also been an incentive for bringing home a good report card. "Knowing that there's something that I'm good at and that I love to do has helped motivate me for school," she says. "My mom has always said school comes first, and if you’re not getting good grades, then you can’t do theater. My love for theater has helped me keep those good grades up."
Another perk to being in theater has been spending time with other kids who are equally passionate about the stage. Heather Neumar, who was 7 when she played Cottontail in a production of "Peter Rabbit" for the South Shore Theatre Experience and 13 years later is a children’s theater instructor with the group, owes her social life to theater.
"Almost all of my friends are involved in theater, so I wouldn’t have the friends I do if I didn’t do theater," she says.
Getting unplugged
Getting kids away from their electronic devices and interacting with others as well as their characters is one of the real benefits of doing theater, says RJ Woodward, 20, director of the children’s theater program at the South Shore Theatre Experience.

RJ Woodward, the director of the South Shore Theatre children's program in Lindenhurst. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
"A lot of the time in the theater, we have a no phones policy," he says. "We don’t even let them take pictures or videos during rehearsal. We want to make it so that everyone can feel comfortable in this space and not be concerned that videos people may not want of themselves are being posted online."
Likewise, getting unplugged from electronics allows them to plug into their characters. "No phones means you can focus on what your character is saying or doing at that time rather than what’s happening on my social media, Woodward says.

From left, Lindenhurst residents Riley Buckley, 17, and Denver Rose, 16, practice at Manes Studio Theatre youth program rehearsal in Lindenhurst. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Connecting with those characters is one of the real takeaways for Patrick Ruhle, 17, who plays Bobby Strong in "Urinetown." "I’ve done 24-25 shows and I love being in such a diverse group of people. Having the experience of playing a different character and understanding their circumstances allows me to understand people’s circumstances in real life," he says. "It’s helped me be a better person."
And it's not just the kids who are learning something. Woodward says he gets a thrill watching kids find different aspects of their characters and transform into someone else. "I like seeing that," says Woodward, who also helmed preteens in the theater's recent "Alice in Wonderland." "They get very creative and they’re excited to learn and excited to do what they’re doing. So I’m excited to see that."
A family experience

Julia Rose Albino, left, and Cassidy Rose O’Brien in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson. Credit: Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three P/Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
For many involved in children's theater, they didn't realize they even wanted to perform until they saw a live stage production. Daniel Bishop got the bug at 10 when he saw his sister's friend in a local production of "Oliver!"
"I saw the show and I said, ‘I can do this. I want to give this a try," he says.
Exposing kids to theater also serves as a bonding experience for the entire family, says Colleen Britt, director of children's theatre and educational programs at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson.

From left, Lindenhurst resident Riley Buckley, 17, and Massapequa resident Patrick Ruhle, 17, run lines at Manes Studio Theatre youth program rehearsal in Lindenhurst. Credit: Morgan Campbell
"It’s really different from sitting in front of an iPad or a phone. I think the stimulation aspect of theater is wonderful," says Britt, who regularly takes her daughters, ages 6 and 9, to see the show she works on. "You’ve got music, you’ve got characters onstage, you’ve got movement, you’ve got dances happening in front of them live. They start thinking what was that amazing life experience I just witnessed? I love to see their faces when they’re watching it."

The cast of South Shore Theatre Experience’s “Footloose” rehearses in Lindenhurst. Credit: RJ Woodward/RJ Woodward
Like Theatre Three, The Argyle Theatre in Babylon presents children's shows featuring adult professionals but also runs theater education programs for kids. Dylan Perlman, who co-owns The Argyle Theatre in Babylon with his father, Mark, agrees that it's important to introduce theater to kids at an early age.
"The theater is for everybody and it’s always a pleasure for me when the families come and see what people are doing up on that stage and to really enjoy themselves," he says. "It shows kids that there's another avenue of entertainment up there. It isn't just on the streaming services or at the movies."
Upcoming productions
The Argyle Theatre
34 W. Main St., Babylon
THE SHOWS "Junie B. Jones" (through June 15), "Sleeping Beauty" (July 19-Aug. 31)
MORE INFO $26; 844-631-5483, argyletheatre.com
Theatre Three
412 Main St., Port Jefferson
THE SHOW "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (through June 21)
MORE INFO $12; 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com
Manes Studio Theatre
141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst
THE SHOWS "The Little Mermaid" (June 6-8), "Newsies Jr." (June 13-15) and "Urinetown" (June 20-22)
MORE INFO $15-$20; 631-226-8400, studiotheatrelongisland.com
The Gateway
215 S. Country Rd., Bellport
THE SHOWS "The Lion King Jr." (July 5-6 and 11-13) and "The SpongeBob Musical" (Aug. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30)
MORE INFO $17.59-$27.50; 631-286-1133, thegateway.org
John W. Engeman Theatre
250 Main St., Northport
THE SHOW "Madagascar: A Musical Adventure" (July 19-Aug. 24)
MORE INFO $20; 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com