OCTOBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 91
COMMUNITY THEATRE
CULTURAL ARTS PLAYHOUSE:
FOR THE LOVE OF THEATRE
BY RUTH BASHINSKY
“Quiet on the set” is a rare occurrence
for those teaching theatre to
children, but for Bruce Grossman,
founder/president of the Cultural Arts
Playhouse in Syosset, that is par for the
course.
His theater and acting academy
has been training children, teens and
young adults in musical theater, acting,
and dance for the last quarter century.
“We offer a noncompetitive environment
where all of our kids have
the opportunity to shine and participate,”
says Grossman, adding that
the company has a zero tolerance for
bullying.
“Our approach is to develop confidence
and self-esteem centered
around positive reinforcement.”
“Being part of a theater group
teaches acceptance and tolerance and
being patient of others,” he says. “We
have an incredible team of directors,
teachers, music teachers, choreographers,
artists and builders.”
Students at CAP may participate
in a show or take part in the class
curriculum that gives them training
in speech, diction, exercises, dance,
improvisation, monologues, audition
techniques, scene study, and voice.
“We have had thousands of children
of all ages participate in our
classes or our shows,” he says.
Many have landed roles on Broadway,
and in national tours, regional
theater, movies, HBO specials,
commercials, and voice-overs, says
Grossman.
One Long Islander who is a CAP
alumnus is actress Jamie Lynn-Sigler,
who played Meadow Soprano on the
popular HBO drama, The Sopranos.
“Jamie was our first famous student,”
he says. “She was with us since
she was a little girl.”
The spacious state-of-the-art theater
is home to all their mainstage
The Cultural Arts Playhouse performs the production of Hair.
productions. Playing in October
is All Shook Up; November is Next
To Normal and December is The
Nutcracker. The academy also has a
satellite location in Wantagh.
During some productions, it isn’t
unusual to see Grossman onstage and
in character. Earlier this month, he
played the Reverend Shaw Moore in
the academy’s sold-out performance
of Footloose. And in January 2019 he
will return to the stage playing Daddy
Warbucks in the musical Annie.
“I like to set an example for the
kids,” says Grossman. “Our goal is
to entertain Long Island with professional
quality entertainment 52
weeks a year, and we love doing it.”
Cultural Arts Playhouse is located
at 170 Michael Dr. in Syosset. They
can be reached at culturalartsplayhouse.
com or 516-694-3330. Tickets
range from $20-$27. Group rates and
fundraising available.
A dinner dance for Dads, Grandpas
and the little girl in their life.
The 23rd
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Chateau Briand, Carle Place
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
An enchanted gala for girls aged 4-12 and their Dad or Grandpa.
Guests enjoy an elegant evening of dinner and dancing,
a performance of the Nutcracker performed by
Leggz Ltd. Dance Studio of Rockville Centre, a Magic show, a corsage
and gift for each young lady and other fun surprises
Sponsored b y:
To purchase tickets, please
call 516-378-2000 x 651
Cost is $175 per couple ($100 each adult/$75 each child)
All Proceeds Benefit the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County
www.cpnassau.org
/www.cpnassau.org
