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Anyone Can Be a Star at Syracuse Children’s Theatre Anyone Can Be a Star at Syracuse Children's Theatre

By Emily Coffey

Syracuse Children's Theatre Building
© 2023 Emily Coffey

ANCHOR: A local theatre company is making an impact.
N-C-C’S Emily Coffey tells us how its work is affecting the local community.

EMILY COFFEY: Syracuse Children’s Theatre is transforming students’ lives. Educational director Babs Rubenstein says the company is one of a kind.

BABS RUBENSTEIN: I think this gives an opportunity for kids to perform other than school. There’s not many companies that do that around here.

EMILY: The company prides itself on being inclusive.
by hiring student success specialists to work with students with differing abilities. Student success specialist Samantha Barton says that parents should know it’s a team effort.

SAMANTHA BARTON: The team that your child is involved with. They are constantly communicating on how can we make this child’s day better or what’s working with them and what’s not working with them?

EMILY: Syracuse Children’s Theatre has been around since 1999 and is not going anywhere. They run camps, productions, and classes all year long. Emily Coffey, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Last summer’s production of Shrek Jr. at Syracuse Children’s Theatre was a showstopper.

A student, who is blind and on the autism spectrum, played the lead role of the Dragon and shined through her performance.

“Seeing her strive in that role and really take that role on was super rewarding to see as an educator,” Samantha Brown, a student success specialist, said.

Syracuse Children’s Theatre has been a part of the Syracuse community since 1999. The organization prides itself on having an inclusive environment, according to the website.

This includes children with differing abilities. Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, hearing and sight impairment, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and emotional disabilities are just some of the differing abilities welcomed by the organization.

The teachers work hard to make theatre not only fun but also educational, Babs Rubenstein, the education director, said. “I believe it’s important for all kids to have a place to be able to be themselves,” Rubenstein said.

Syracuse Children’s Theatre offers camps on school breaks, classes, and productions throughout the year. Sign-ups are found on Syracuse Children’s Theatre website sctkids.com.

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