Broadway in Pleasantville? Local Arts Center Expands

Not long ago, Hollywood arrived in Pleasantville in the form of the . And it won’t be long before Broadway arrives here, as well.

ARC Stages, a theatre arts center and the umbrella organization for several theater groups—including Pleasantville’s Little Village Playhouse (LVP)—is expanding.

LVP, a not for profit organization that has been operating in Pleasantville since 1997, is a youth theatre education program offering  a host of  theatre arts classes—acting techniques, improvisation and choreography, to name a few—and stages several each year.

Jointly run by Executive Director Adam Cohen and Artistic Director Stephanie Kovacs, both graduates of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, the pair possesses extensive experience in the arts and has a passion for their respective crafts that they enthusiastically share with their students.

And there is more to it than experiencing the theatrical production process.

“The classes provide self-confidence and self-esteem, and allow the children to be free to express themselves,” said Kovacs. “It’s a safe place for children…sometimes at school there’s judgment, ridicule and fear.”

But there are rules to abide by. The cardinal rules? Respect for one another, no mocking and a sense of ensemble performing.

Cohen, noting LVP stages a combination of original and less frequently performed works, described their process for selecting and casting shows: “We make sure we don’t do huge cast shows, since the performance is really about the ensemble. Each child gets their moment. No one should ever feel that they don’t matter," she said.

“Everyone is equal in telling the story," explained Cohen.

In fact, LVP implements a rather unique casting process. Unlike major theater performances—where people audition for specific roles—LVP performances are centered on the dynamics of the participants. Shows are often selected after auditions and based on the charactersitics of the students  themselves.

Adults can participate, too.

This fall, LVP will not only be augmenting their program to include adult voice and acting classes but, under the aegis of ARC Stages, will be debuting two new programming efforts. While LVP will remain the education wing, ARC will introduce two new artistic endeavors.

Spark, a union company and small professional theatre, will be showcasing newer and edgier works such as Michael John LaChiusa’s See What I Want to See, whereas Main Stage, the community theater wing, will spotlight more family-oriented works such as Light in the Piazza.

"All the world’s a stage."

While Shakespeare might have penned those words, ARC simply hopes to debut one stage—soon. Performances have typically taken place at various Westchester venues, but ARC plans to unveil a new theater in the near future. Upon the completion of fundraising, building approvals and contract signing, ARC will be converting old warehouse space on Tompkins Avenue into a 150-seat theater with supplementary rehearsal and office areas.  

In the meantime, ARC will be hosting a free event on Saturday, Sept. 10, featuring theater games, improvisation, sock puppets and the like. Adults are invited to attend an upcoming cocktail cabaret to be held this fall on Nov. 12.

Kovacs and Cohen clearly enjoy their professions and reap advantages as well.

“Not only is this a place where adults and children can explore the craft, but it’s a mutually beneficial experience,” Kovacs shared. “We help the students become who they are, and they help us become who we are.”