'Greenvale on Stage' Preps for March 19 Performance

Next week, Eastchester’s newest performing arts ensemble will usher in a new era of theatrical opportunities for district youngsters, as the elementary school students of Greenvale gear up for a first-of-its-kind theatrical production.

On Wednesday, March 19, “Greenvale on Stage”—a fledgling after-school program that serves students in grades 2-5—will put on its inaugural show, as the budding stars tackle “The Aristocats,” a family-friendly musical based on the 1970 Disney film of the same name.

The group has been working since the beginning of the February to bring the play to life under the guidance of director Lori Mortensen, an Eastchester parent who saw an opportunity to introduce some of the district’s elementary learners to the joy of performing. 

“There are so many skills you can learn through the performing arts that transfer to other areas of your life,” said Mortensen. “And because maybe half the children haven’t had any real experience with theater in the past, I thought it was going to be so fun to work with them with this performance in mind.”

Mortensen said she was inspired to reach out to Greenvale Principal Joanna Sanese about launching an after-school theater club in the beginning of the year after sensing that there was a growing interest among elementary-aged students to learn more about the performing arts. 

“My children had such a great time working with Jennifer Batz, who puts on productions at Waverly, and they went on to participate in the Players Club at the middle and high schools, so I thought it would be nice if there was some sort of bridge between Waverly and the Players Club,” said Mortensen.  

Sanese concurred, noting that she was thrilled to see this new club fill a need for Greenvale students and praised Mortensen for her commitment to the program.

“It’s been great; this is something that is going to help us continue to enhance our performing arts programs here in Eastchester,” said Sanese. “We’ve seen such growth over the last few years, as we have been able to offer more opportunities for children to explore the arts.”

“That’s why I love Eatchester,” Mortensen added. “This idea came up and we got immediate support from Ms. Sanese, we went to the PTA and they were 100 percent behind it too; the feeling was that this was going to be so good for our kids, they were willing to help us with whatever we needed.”

Mortensen said the group’s progress over the last few weeks has been dizzying, and while she has been proud to watch the youngsters grow as performers, she has been even more elated to watch how transformative the experience has been on a deeper level.

“I see theater as a vehicle for children to learn to love who they are, if they love the theater that’s great, but learning who they are, gaining that inner-confidence, that’s the most important part,” she said. “We have one girl in particular who—when we first started our rehearsals—really wouldn’t speak up in the group. But now, she’s completely come out of her shell and I think she’s going to bring the house down!”

Greenvale on Stage’s production of “The Aristocats” will take place at 6:30 PM in the Anne Hutchinson School auditorium. The runtime is approximately 45 minutes.