The theater has always been a space for the expression of ideas and emotions, and its stage has served as a safe place for marginalized people to freely express themselves. Rockaway Theatre Company offers low-cost, high-quality productions, allowing people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to enjoy art. Learn more information at queens-trend.
LOCATED IN THE FORMER ARMY THEATER
Rockaway Theatre Company was founded in 1997. The troupe performed several plays at the Park Place Seaport Theatre on Rockaway Beach, but in September this venue suddenly closed. Losing the stage could mean the end of the young business, but not for the Rockaway Theatre Company. The troupe’s Board of Directors contacted the administration of the former Fort Tilden with a request to use the space with a stage. The place became the crew’s new home.
The space previously hosted the Post Theatre located at Fort Tilden Army Base. The stage has not been utilized in quite some time since the Fort was closed. Gradually, the damaged seats were removed, the stage was expanded, a curtain was installed, an advanced stage was installed, lighting was added, the dressing room and bathrooms were completely renovated and so on.
All this work was carried out again in 2012 when the structure was damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Strong winds and flooding have killed at least 16 people in the northeastern United States and Canada. Strong winds tore down trees and power lines. The renovation was made possible thanks to ticket sales, donations and grants. A great deal of the labor was done by volunteers, which saved the theater some money.
It is worth noting that the reconstruction process was not completed until the first screening of a play. The very first production was presented here in June 1998. At the time, there was no running water, operational bathrooms, heating or air conditioning. During the first two seasons, viewers could not fully enjoy the art due to not very comfortable conditions.
CREATED TO PROMOTE RACIAL DIVERSITY
Rockaway Theatre Company has earned a reputation for producing high-quality art. The troupe takes pride in its history of drawing performers who have appeared on Broadway, television and in opera houses. Dedicated visitors come here from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Long Island, Connecticut and other regions to view the performances.
The Rockaway Theatre Company’s shows include artists of all ages and races. The ensemble encourages black students and minorities to work together to demonstrate the multi-racial nature of the city. Rockaway Theatre Company has always respected and valued its black members. The troupe supports African-American communities in various parts of the United States in their fight for justice. Rockaway Theatre Company does not tolerate inequality, racism or hate in its art.
The majority of Rockaway Theatre Company’s producers and actors are local community volunteers. They oversee every aspect of theatrical production, including construction and stage management, music management, sound design, set design and so on.
For many actors, the Rockaway Theatre Company scene marked the beginning of something bigger. For example, some people went on to work on Broadway. Broadway theater is a distinct kind of commercial theater art that originated in Manhattan. Manhattan’s theater district features dozens of major Broadway theaters. Since there is no government program to support theaters in the United States, Broadway plays draw audiences with their frivolous and entertaining performances.
CREATING A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The theater crew has created a first-class educational program that offers a varied range of master classes in all aspects of the performing arts. Young people can participate in a 5-month workshop called Young People’s Theatre Workshop, following which amateur performers present a musical in the style of Broadway. These classes are open to students aged 8 to 18.
In addition, it provides a variety of adult lectures on art, performance and technical aspects of theatre art. In addition to acting, students learn dancing (step, jazz and ballroom), Zumba (a fitness program that combines cardio training and Latin American dances), vocals, stage management, costume design, scenery creation, sound design, listening techniques, photography, watercolors and yoga.
All master classes and seminars are taught by licensed instructors with years of expertise. Some of them are college professors, well-known local actors who have appeared on television and performed on the major stage both on and off Broadway and professional opera and musical performers.
Virtual seminars, which the troupe initiated during the COVID-19 epidemic, are also available. Thanks to the Zoom program, anyone may acquire a basic theater education from the comfort of their own home. Broadway-related classes are among the most popular. They are free thanks to seminars.
The Rockaway Theatre Company team is working relentlessly toward the long-term goal of establishing a year-round theater season, extending the diversity of educational programs and increasing the number of patrons.
