CAA Kids Visit Royal Albert Hall for Children's Theatre Conference

While the United Nations General Assembly met in New York City this past September, four talented 12-year old youngsters who are members of The Children's Acting Company division of New York's Children's Acting Academy (CAA) - Nicholas Cacciola, Jonathan Rockhill, Bella Scarselli and Brooke Strutin -- traveled to London, England, to represent the United States in the first ever international children's theatre exchange which took place September 17 - 27, 2010. The event was produced by Theatretrain, a nation-wide British performing arts company for children which was established in 1992, and co-presented with the German-based international children's charity Arts by Children.

On their return to New York City, the four youngsters immediately jumped into rehearsals for the Children's Acting Company's next stage production, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, which will be presented for eight performances in January 2011 at The Vital Theatre on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

A total of 101 children from 26 countries participated in the ten-day London symposium, a high-profile event for children studying drama and who could speak English. The culmination of this exciting experience took place on Sunday, September 26, when the international kids were joined by 1,000 multi-talented children from across the UK, and a live band, on stage at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall in a gala musical performance entitled Voices for a Better World.

The American contingent, comprising Brooke Strutin, Nicholas Cacciola, Bella Scarselli and Jonathan Rockhill, were chosen after a nationwide search to be the four United States representatives. All four study at New York's Children's Acting Academy and have performed in shows and showcases in and around NYC.  Jonathan Rockhill attends Fieldston, Bella Scarselli is a student at The Spence School and Nicholas Cacciola attends Isaac Young Middle School in New Rochelle, NY.  Brooke Strutin is an honors student at Thornton Donovan School in Manhattan.

Brooke Strutin recalls, "I had this idea of what the trip would be like, but it was so much better!!!  Everyone there was so nice and I made such great friends.  Market night was really great.  I loved it because it was fun to see what's native to the different countries.  Did you know that America is the only place that has Tootsie Rolls?!!"

"London was the best thing that ever happened to me," says Nicholas Cacciola.  "I met lots of kids from all over the world. The best thing was the market place where we got to trade the things we brought from America with the kids from other countries.   We all worked together as a  team to put on a great show. I am thankful for this opportunity." 

Bella Scarselli adds, "For me, London was a great experience to meet new people, learn different cultures and really be thankful for where I live and what I have. The trip made me realize how big the world is, but if we come together, the world can be changed tremendously. I am really thankful for having had this amazing opportunity."

            "The opportunity to go to London and work with talented kids from so many countries was awesome," says Jonathan Rockhill. "I mostly enjoyed meeting kids from other countries, and learning about their customs. I feel proud that by performing in the amazing show at Royal Albert Hall, I was able to help convey the show's message of peace and equality to the world. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience!"

Leading up to the performance, the young thespians took part in theatrically-oriented workshops and rehearsals of different aspects of the final performance. They participated in groups led by professional directors with experience working with young people.  The social interaction of the children was another important facet of the event; the kids went on supervised sightseeing trips and took part in social activities in the evening. There were also national evenings as well with a 'marketplace' featuring exhibit booths and performances from participating countries. 

The youngsters attended an international conference at London City Hall about the Rights of Children which was presented by arrangement with the Mayor of London. All the kids were hosted at Imperial College (part of London University) for the ten days. Each visiting contingent had to bring an adult with them as a chaperone. Room and board, as well as transport from London airports, was provided by the hosts. The only costs for the groups were their travel to and from the UK and any Visa costs. Ariel Vaagen, a U.S. Cultural Affairs Attaché in London, hosted the U.S. delegates and attended the Royal Albert Hall concert.

Kevin Dowsett, Artistic Director of Theatretrain, was delighted with the results of this first international venture. "We originally had commitments from 32 countries and 130 kids, but outside factors, including budget restrictions for some, caused several of those countries to drop out," he says. "However, we ended up with a tremendous contingent of international performing arts students from 26 nations and they all performed commendably. I was delighted with the group that came from the United States. We conducted lots of research before inviting schools and the Children's Acting Academy in New York proved to be first-rate in every way. I commend Mimi Stuart for operating a successful training school."

The young members of the US contingent are members of the Children's Acting Company division at New York's Children's Acting Academy, a 38-year-old school with branches in New Rochelle and Manhattan that provides children with opportunities to break out of their shell or to break into the business as professional actors. They were chosen to represent the school by Mimi Stuart, Artistic Director and owner, because of their acting experience in professional productions.

 "This was a completely unexpected opportunity that came out of the blue," says Ms. Stuart.  "We had no idea that our school was even being considered for this prestigious honor. Apparently, the organizers had one of their US representatives check out children's theatre schools across America and recommended our school. We were all very excited by being selected and we are extremely proud of the four youngsters we chose to go over to London. They all had wonderful experiences and performed well in the international arena."

According to Mimi, the London experience helped solidify an idea she has been developing for years - to create an international children's acting camp exchange where young boys and girls training for the performing arts can spend their summer vacations at children's acting camps in other countries around the globe.

"I always believed this was a dream that could become reality," she says. "After our kids had this wonderful experience in London, I am more confident than ever that it's an idea than can work. It's good to know that there are kids interested in the performing arts and studying their crafts in other countries across the globe. I have already started contacting the heads of these organizations to determine their interest."

The Children's Acing Academy, founded in 1972, was created for talented youngsters who are interested in learning how to act, sing and dance from industry professionals and who wish to build self confidence in their abilities to succeed in life. 

The academy utilizes the Stanislavski, Strassberg and Meisner methods to teach acting. Students learn to behave logically and naturally. Concentration and relaxation are emphasized through sensory exercises, scene work and improvisation. Proper speech and voice are emphasized during every class session. While acting and singing classes are done in groups, there are opportunities to receive one-on-one instruction.  

Acting classes feature instruction, observation and performance taught by professionals working on Broadway, TV and film. The students also experience the business of show business by meeting with agents and personal managers, touring TV studios and working on auditioning with theatre veterans.

The Children's Acting Company's next stage production --  SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL - will be presented at The Vital Theatre, 2162 Broadway (4th Floor), for eight performances over two weekends in January 2011.  The production will feature two separate casts:

Cast One will be seen in the performances on Friday, January 21, at 7:00 PM; Saturday, January 22, at 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, January 23 at 4:30 PM; Cast Two will be seen on Friday, January 28, at 7:00 PM; Saturday, January 29, at 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM; and Sunday, January 24, at 4:30 PM.

Ticket prices are $15.00 for children and $20.00 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at iseats.net or by calling 212/579-4230. 

Mimi Stuart started teaching and directing at the Academy in 2000 and became its Artistic Director and owner shortly thereafter. She has been acting and entertaining audiences since she was ten years old and professionally since she was 15. Recently featured in a Fuji ---Medical industrial film, she has performed Off Broadway as a lead in The Mandela and Guilty Innocence, and has performed in summer stock as Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker as well as in other leading roles. She has toured the US and Canada in such musicals as My Fair Lady, Godspell, Cinderella and Pajama Game. And has appeared on daytime TV in All My Children and on primetime television as the lead in Ghost Stories. Mimi has appeared in more than 20 feature films and has done voice-overs for numerous commercials and industrial films.

Mimi has much experience working with child actors, having served as Artistic Director at Saginaw Overnight Camp, directing two shows a summer and teaching drama and improv classes. She has taught acting at Kean University and voice and speech at NYU and Weist-Barron. She was the originator of The Children and Teen Musical Theatre, and Voice and Speech Program at HB Studio. For the past three years, she has taught a Directing Children on Film class as part of the MSA film program at Columbia University.

The Children's Acting Academy has two branches, one on the upper West Side of Manhattan at 131 West 72^nd Street and the second in New Rochelle at 529 Main Street (2^nd Floor). For more information about The Children's Acting Academy and its programs, call 212/860-7101, or visit www.childrensactingacademy.com.