North County News - 8/00

"21 Year-Old's Children's Company Movin' On"

BY Brian J. Howard

Six years ago, 15-year-old Anya Wallach wanted to give aspiring young actors like herself an outlet for their talents.  The Chappaqua resident's Random Farms Kids Theater is now in its sixth summer season.  And not only is the company graduating to a grander stage, it is also offering its junior thespians a new angle on children's theater- adults.

"I wanted to give kids the opportunity to be the star of the show in a realistic theater environment," said Wallach, now a senior at NYU, prior to rehearsal last week.  "A place for kids to put on their own show."

This is a transitional year for her theater Wallach explained.  Not only because the performances have been moved from North Castle public library to a professional stage, but also because for the first time Wallach has fully integrated adults into the production. 

All her shows have featured children in the central roles.  Next week's staging of meet me in St Louis at Yorktown stage is a great example of the way Wallach plays up these roles.  That's because this isn't simply children's theater she explains.

"This is an adult theater for kids," she said.

To that end all the adults she casts are expected to share and support her vision of exposing the younger ones to real theater.  Real theater has adult actors and adult parts.  In the past, that aspect wasn't stressed as much, but Wallach felt it was time to make the leap and incorporate the missing ingredient. 

"This way they're also getting the full theater experience," Wallach, a musical education major, pointed out.  "So it works both ways."

Jack Cook, one of the adults Wallach brought on board shares her appreciation for helping to develop the talents of young actors.  A veteran of the Theater at Yorktown Stage through three production companies, (including last year's 1776), Cook plays the role of Mr. Smith, the family father in Meet me in St Louis.

"I love theater, and this is a great experience," Cook said.  "I love to watch developing kids who are interested in theater because it's wonderful to watch them grow."

In his view it's simply amazing that Anya would take on the task of producing a show that features 40 children.  It's about the children, and not simply from a performing standpoint.  It's how they learn values like commitment and discipline. 

"That's part of what's important about this particular production, is to showcase the kids," said Cook.  "It's important.  That's how they becoming future, not only performers, but future citizens."

Its clear from talking to Wallach that she brings an energy and enthusiasm to directing and producing her brood.  It's also clear from talking to the young actors in her charge that they appreciate her commitment to their growth.

Pam Testani is in just her third production.  The 15 year old Walter Panis High School student is appreciative of the opportunity she was given after Wallach had seen her perform only once.

"She's so energetic, its more the way she makes suggestions.  I don't know, she just makes everything easy to understand," Testani said.

Kerry Curran, just 14, is one the young actors with professional experience Wallach brought in.  Locally, she's performed with Spotlight Theater Company at Mohegan Lake. 

The two met when Wallach interned with Curran's agent, the Yorktown resident explained.  These shows are always fun in part because Wallach knows how to work quickly and get things done, Curran noted.

"It's a lot of fun because I make friends here,' said Curran, whose work schedule has included stints on the Late Show with David Letterman and commercials for Three Musketeers and DLJ Direct.  Wallach's theater company is a great resource for young actors, which Curran conceded she would have benefited from.

"I had something similar to it with my theater camp, but this more professional and its great for someone just starting out."

Alexandra Romanoff, 9, plays Tootie.  In the past she performed in productions of Snow White and Yorktown Stage's The Sound Of Music.

Romanoff's favorite part of that production was the attention she got from the rest of the cast being the youngest member.

It was just a bigger stage", she says of the theater in Yorktown, not a bit intimidated by the prospect of audiences that could approach 600.  "I like the part that I got because it's a good part.  It's one of the main parts."

Serena Pomerantz, 11, performs in the ensemble.  Rehearsals can be tiring, she admits, and it doesn't always seem like the show is ever going to come together.  Somehow in the end, it always does though.  For her, the effort is worthwhile because of the final reward. 

"I like the applause the best because the audience liked it," Pomerantz said.  "When someone in the audience comes and they have a down in the dumps mood, by then they have to smile."

Performing at Yorktown Stage is exciting because it provides a truly professional setting, Wallach said.  It also accommodates the productions elaborate scenery- including a trolley car-not to mention more than 400 costumes. 

Wallach gives credit to the assistant Director, 13-year-old Milagros Bernabo-"a class act," she says- and to 14 year old intern Erin Rakow for assisting her in bringing everything together.

Even behind the scenes children make the show happen.

"The number one goal is to create a real production experience for these kids," Wallach said.  "There is so much talent in Westchester County.  There is so much talent that is wasted so much of the time."

Last year Wallach's production of Oliver! Sold out four performances at its library venue.

This year Wallach is thankful for theater manager Barry Liebman for Random Farms Theater Company's first stint at the Yorktown Stage.

"(Liebman) has been very generous and eager to work with us," she said.