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Founded in 1979 and established as a non-profit organization under the
IRS 501(C)(3) code in 1983, Westco’s mission is to foster and promote
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of live theater for all audiences with
special emphasis on productions for children and families as well as
community-based workshops and hospital tours.
Primary program activities include the presentation of musical adaptations of
children’s classic fairytales, folktales and legends as well as Broadway
musicals, comedies and dramas. Westco presented more than 2,150 performances of
more than 250 fully-staged
productions during its first 25 years, at such venues as the Rochambeau Theatre
and the Westchester County Center in White Plains, the Westchester Broadway
Theatre in Elmsford, the Irvington Town Hall Theatre, The Music Hall in
Tarrytown, the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, and the Antrim Playhouse in
Suffern. Creative theater workshops for children and young adults are
also offered. Westco reached a cumulative audience of more than 537,000 during
its first 25 years, and now serves audiences of 30,000 to 40,000 per year.
THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
This series offers one-hour musical adaptations of children’s classic
literature including fairytales, folktales and legends appropriate for children ages 2 - 8.
Performed by professional actors, the productions introduce young children to
the theater on a level understandable and enjoyable to them. School groups are
encouraged to attend as many of the productions are based on themes and authors
utilized as part of the school curriculum.
Following the performances, the audience members can meet the cast, take
pictures, get autographs and, for some productions, a question & answer period is
offered. Productions are held at the Rochambeau Theater in White Plains, the
Irvington Town Hall Theatre, the Antrim Playhouse in Suffern, and the
Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford.
CREATIVE THEATER WORKSHOPS
Westco offers musical theater workshops for children ages five through young adult,
introducing them to the performing arts. These workshops help to develop
self-esteem and camaraderie and brings out the full potential in the youngsters
that participate. All workshop sessions culminate in a performance for family,
friends and the general public.
* Broadway Babes - This workshop is for children ages 5-13 and is a
fun and exciting way to introduce children to the performing arts. Four
different 8-week sessions are offered throughout the year. Visit our web page
“WORKSHOPS” for details.
* Magic To Do Players - This workshop is for children ages nine through young adult
who have developmental disabilities. It is a full theater arts program offering
instruction in dancing, singing, improvisation, speaking and acting skills as
well as the design/building/painting of props and scenery. The program is
presented in partnership with Westchester ARC and the Parents Assistance
Committee on Down Syndrome. There are two sessions each lasting 12 weeks in both
the fall and spring.
Visit our web page “SPECIAL WORKSHOPS” for details.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS
* Tickets For Tots - Tickets For Tots was established in 2000. This
program makes it possible for young children from low-income households to
attend a series of musical theater productions at no charge. Our target audience
consists of children ages 3-5 enrolled in Head Start programs in more than a
dozen child care agencies in Westchester. This population is diverse,
with children of all ethnic backgrounds participating in this arts program.
Since its inception, this program has continued to grow, and currently serves more than 2,500
children each year.
* Slater Center Musical Theater/Literacy Assistance Program - This
after-school workshop is offered to children ages 7-14 from low-income
families in the White Plains community. Besides introducing them to the
performing arts and providing a cultural experience for them by rehearsing to
put on a show, the children use the scripts as vehicles to improve their
literacy skills and reading abilities. There are two 10-week sessions both in
the fall and spring. Westco collaborates with the Thomas H. Slater Center in
White Plains.
* Bedside Buddies - This program brings costumed storybook characters to
bedridden terminally-ill, critically-ill and chronically-ill children in hospitals, as
well as children with physical and mental disabilities attending specialized
schools. Westco visits more than 7,500 children in 30 different facilities in
the New York metropolitan region throughout the year.
* Healing Walls - This is the newest of Westco’s outreach programs. Our
muralist creates amazing scenes on the walls of patient rooms, playrooms and
other areas to create a peaceful, calming, healing atmosphere in hospitals and
critical care facilities. The donor’s name is painted on the wall as part of the
scene.
* Seymour
"Sonny" Katz Scholarship Fund - Established in honor of founding
Westco Board member Seymour Katz, this fund provides financial assistance to
selected graduating high school students from White Plains (Westco's base of
operations) and Port Chester (Mr. Katz's birthplace) who wish to major in
college in the performing arts. |
