Sparking lifelong appreciation for the arts with classes in dance, singing, and acting, Rosie’s Theater Kids — created by actor-comedian Rosie O’Donnell — provides city youngsters with creative opportunities. Its fun, triple-threat approach to learning has shaped the lives of 60,000 boys and girls since the organization’s start back in 2003. And now, two childhood friends from Hell’s Kitchen are celebrating the scholarships recently awarded to them by Rosie’s Theater Kids, which has given them thousands more reasons to sing and dance for joy.
The color yellow
At one time, funny, big-hearted O’Donnell was considered brash and controversial. But since she left her talk show, she has been leading a quieter life and doing “ordinary” things, like raising her children and posting family stuff on her Facebook page. And her two loves — kids and theater — seem to be keeping the busy mom out of trouble.
Every kid has a dream, and parents like O’Donnell understand that if that dream isn’t channeled properly, and if it isn’t nurtured and celebrated, chances are, it will eventually fade to gray.
So, when she launched Rosie’s Theater Kids, offering performing-arts classes as well as free Broadway shows to fourth graders attending PS 51 — located near the city’s theater district and filled with many students whose families can’t afford tickets to the shows, the kids’ lives were changed forever. O’Donnell realized the irony in the situation and said it was, “Like living in Hawaii, and never having access to the beach.”
The comedian’s favorite color is sunshine yellow, which she prefers to the limelight. In her book, “Celebrity Detox,” she writes, “Fame stole my yellow. Yellow is the color you get when you’re real and brutally honest. Yellow is with my kids … The bundle of bright yellow warming my core, formerly frozen and uninhabitable … They got yellow from me, and I felt yellow giving it to them, and it was all good … So, why am I leaving my show? It took my yellow. I wanted it back. Without it, I can’t live. The gray kills me.”
So, when she dreamt up the coolest kids’ theater program in town while sitting at her kitchen table, you can bet she had probably imagined a warm yellow. Sharing Broadway and the performing arts with local kids became her calling. Like many of her program’s students, O’Donnell came from humble beginnings and knew what it was like to have that burning-in-your-belly desire to become something more. Her mother, who died when O’Donnell was 10, introduced her to the theater. And her beloved former teacher, Pat Maravel, helped her heal and find her voice, so O’Donnell named the program’s home on Manhattan’s West 45th Street the Maravel Arts Center in her memory.
Well-rounded kids rule
In the old days, to get into show biz you had to know how to carry a tune, dance (and tap dance) your heart out, take elocution lessons, and learn how to project your voice to the audience. But most of all, you had to have personality and a winning smile.
All of the above still holds true today. Tomorrow’s rising stars are expected to train hard and aim high for their personal best and to strive for excellence, especially if they’re chosen as Rosie’s Theater Kids, where the code word is achievement — not only in the performing arts, but in school as well.
The staff and industry professionals are there to help students develop and hone their creative talents, but the programs take learning a step further, with life-prepping guidance along the way.
After all, the road to stardom can get rocky, and finding your inner Hamilton or Nicki Minaj doesn’t come easy for anyone.
In a challenging, sometimes cut-throat world, a hefty dose of self-esteem and confidence-boosting makes all the difference, and all kids and teens benefit from knowing that the people around them believe in them and support their chosen path.
That’s especially true for Rosie’s Theater Kids, who deal with difficult challenges. Some have grown up in the housing developments or have families impacted by crime.
A triple threat
Rosie’s one-of-a-kind programs focus on academics, nutrition, and art, and the staff works hard to provide an exciting, well-rounded theater education.
Last year, Rosie’s Theater Kids’ ACTE II Program received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities youth programs. Performing to loud applause for First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, 12 students accepted this honor.
In 2014, the program was awarded a $500,000 grant to establish the SAM Scholarship for Scholastic and Artistic Merit, an ongoing scholarship program that provides graduates with full scholarships of gap funding (the amount of money that is owed once scholarships, grants, and parent contributions are accounted for) to the college of their choice. Whatever is left (generally loan amounts) need not be taken, and the scholarship will pay for that. The funds will be used to cover tuition, room and board, books, and other necessary items that come with the cost of higher education.
Kathy and Karen win big
For the first time in Rosie’s Theater Kids’ history, two city students were selected to receive this scholarship. When Katarzyna (Kathy) Gaweda, 16, garnered a much-deserved $100,000 scholarship from Rosie’s Theater Kids, she said she couldn’t imagine a greater feeling — until her best friend, Karen Herrera, also 16, was called up moments later to accept a $50,000 scholarship at the annual spring benefit.
Both girls are former PS 51 students. Kathy and Karen were introduced to the program during a school visit in the fourth grade.
“I was so incredibly excited. I started crying out of happiness, and when Karen’s name was announced, the tears just kept coming,” said Kathy, the daughter of Polish immigrants. “We’ve shared experiences since first grade and to be able to share such a life-changing experience is something I will never forget. When I got home and told my mom, she was super excited as well. We cried happy tears together.”
Kathy, who attends the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan, as a musical theater major, said she is looking at small liberal arts colleges not too far from New York so she can stay close to her parents. Her top choices are probably Brown and Vassar.
“We’re going to start applying in the fall, so we can get teacher recommendations and write our essays. Rosie’s helps the seniors so much with the college application process, which is a huge comfort to us and to our parents,” she said.
Thanks to Rosie’s Theater Kids and their scholarships, both girls have applied to colleges they would never have even dreamed of applying to before.
“Rosie’s is one of the most accepting and loving communities I’ve ever been a part of. Every member of the staff genuinely cares so much for each student and the students are always there for each other. As the students get older, they became caring for and helping the youngest students,” Kathy said. “During my first gala with Rosie’s, I realized that I had so much fun when I was performing that from then on it held a special place in my heart.”
Although her interests include photography, writing, humanities, and women’s studies, Kathy plans on entering freshman year with an open mind, taking whatever classes interest her, then choosing an academic path later on.
Like many New Yorkers, she needs her culture fix every now and then.
“I recently saw ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at Second Stage Theatre and it was absolutely incredible! I loved the music and the story so much, and since it’s moving to Broadway, I’m hoping to see it again. I’m also desperate to see ‘Hamilton’ (but who isn’t?), as well as ‘Waitress’ and ‘The Color Purple,’ ” she said.
As the daughter of two Mexican immigrants, Karen also grew up in modest circumstances. She attributes her strong work ethic to her mother, a home keeper, and her father, a bike messenger. And she credits her sister Kiara, who is deaf, as one of the reasons she has such appreciation for musical theater.
“I honestly had no idea I was going to win. It’s not that I doubted my abilities to win it, but it’s because everyone in my class is so deserving,” said Karen. “It’s truly an honor to win such an amazing scholarship.”
Karen said her mom was waiting by the door when she told her she had won $50,000. They hugged and started tearing up. She then told her dad, and they both hugged her.
“My younger sister started yelling in excitement,” she recalled. “I had never seen my family so happy, but something that I will never forget from that night is when my dad told me, ‘Karen, this is the best gift I have ever received in my 46 years of life.’ ”
Karen has been looking at New York colleges, like State University of New York Purchase and others. She hasn’t started applying yet, because she just finished her junior year at Talent Unlimited High School, but may major in communications or look into bachelor of fine arts programs in acting.
Karen enjoys the theater scene and said she recently saw the plays “The Humans” and “The Father” on Broadway, and performances by the Jessica Lang Dance Company and SteeleDance Company.
“I’ve really been wanting to see ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ ‘The Color Purple,’ and of course, ‘Hamilton,’ which is on everyone’s must-see list.”
Earlier this year, she saw Deaf West’s production of “Spring Awakening,” and recalled being brought to tears as the songs came to life through American Sign Language.
Her fave theater actors, singers, and dancers include Jonathan Groff, Frank Langella, Misty Copeland, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Beth Malone, Audra McDonald, and so many others.
Rosie’s Theater Kids has lifted the curtain on an exciting world of possibilities for Karen.
“[It] has changed my life completely,” she said. “Without this program, I would have no idea what I would be doing now. I am truly grateful for the investments made in me and will forever be thankful to be a part of such an amazing program that gives children the opportunities to succeed and excel in life.”
For more, visit www.rosiestheaterkids.org.
Tammy Scileppi is a Queens-based freelance writer and journalist, parent, and regular contributor to New York Parenting.
