Testimonials

June 7, 2007

Hello, Chris.

My name is Tom Deckman. I don't expect you to remember, but I was involved with your summer youth theatre program. I believe it was the very first year of that program. We ended the summer performing 'Which Way to Broadway?' at the school of the arts auditorium. Hi!!!

I'd like to share with you just a little of the success I've had down here in NYC. I'm currently starring in 'Monty Python's Spamalot' on Broadway. It's an absolute blast. I've been fortunate enough to work very steadily for the past 6 years, or so. recently I've been asked a lot about my training and my upbringing and I felt compelled to write you a quick note just to let you know how important that summer program was for me.

I went to high school at McQuaid. I'm sure it won't surprise you when I tell you that they provided absolutely no creative outlet for me whatsoever! It was in that summer class where I began to spread my wings in a truly artistic way. I took so much away with me after. Most importantly, I took a confidence a never had. It sparked a fire in me that kept burning, and continues to burn today. I made wonderful friends there, too, which was also so important for me at that time in my life.

I think back on that time now and smile, knowing that it was so instrumental in turning me into the performer I am today. So really, I thought I'd write just to let you know how grateful I am for that summer program. and I thought you'd like to know how it turned a shy, quiet, introverted high school boy with a strong but secret desire to reach for the stars into a true, professional stage and television actor with network appearances and Broadway shows under his belt!

Thank you so much. I'd love to visit the next time I'm up there! I hope you and the theatre are doing great. Best of luck!

peace and happiness,

Tom Deckman

TOM DECKMAN

August 7, 2008

Linda, I wanted to tell you what a great time both the girls are having with the DCT camp. Both of them just get in the card all bubbly and filled with excitement. They were both running their lines together tonight….it was so special to see them having fun together and Julia as the little Catapillar….was too cute!

Thanks so much and thank you to all of your staff. They are doing a terrific job!

Roz Zatyko

AUGUST 3, 2008

Hi Ann Marie,

Amber was suppose to go see her father and her other grandparents next week, but she asked us if she could go back for the next session and do the trip after. I can't tell you how much she enjoyed the experience. She couldn't wait to get there every morning and hated to leave every afternoon!

She's always been outgoing and friendly with people, but only after she really got to know them well, and they got her engaged in a conversation. Now, she seems so more confident, and walks right up to people and initiates the conversation. Not strangers, mind you. She's still careful about that.

She was so nervous about singing at Frontier field that she wept at our office the day before and said she couldn't do it. She was a wreck. She was so afraid of making a mistake. Milly explained that with so many singing together, no one would even notice if she did miss some words. She finally calmed down and said she'd do it. When we got to the stadium, she walked right up to one of the workers and asked where they were suppose to meet and marched right over there. After it was over, she told us she was glad she did it and it was so much fun, she wished she could go back and sing there again!

After the Saturday performance (yesterday) my wife, who went, I couldn't go, told me Amber overheard one of the older kids, who was going to perform in the afternoon, say she was very nervous. Amber walked right up to her and told her she had nothing to be nervous about, that it was fun and easy. Milly almost died!

Anyway, sorry to go on so long, but this experience has been such a joy for both Amber and her Mom and us, that I wanted you to know. We've seen a positive change in someone who was already a joy to be with. Linda and your staff are doing a wonderful job. Amber is crazy about all of them.

Frank

August 30, 2007

Hi Linda,

Just want to congratulate you on a wonderful job organizing your session #4 showcase shows. Wow, the kids did a great job, and lots of talent there! The choices of songs, dancing, skits, & monologue were so good, you made it interesting with the humor in there too. The kids all looked proud of their performance, we really enjoyed it.

The 2-week camp was so very nice, Brianna loved it so much and wants to come back. A family that came to watch with three girls want to come next year too. You are very organized and it shows. Brianna learned a lot and I was surprised she didn't mind doing that monologue by herself at the show! I like the way you taught them how to use the stage, how to move around and make it look more natural.

I know the summer programs are a lot of work for you in between all your own performing and getting ready for the showcase shows. Job well done, I hope your summer was a good one for you. Hope your new class in Hilton is enjoyable, I'm sure you are a great teacher!

Take care,
Debbie Adams

p.s. thanks again so much for showing us around and seeing us at the beginning of summer, I really appreciated it.

August 20, 2007

Hi Linda,
Just a quick note to tell you how much Hannah enjoyed the summer program. I was very impressed with the quality of the showcase. I've seen many other summer programs' final performances, and this was by far, the best. I was actually sad to see it end and Hannah felt that it was so much more professional than any she had previously participated in (her words :o) ) We look forward to next summer. Hannah asked me to inquire about any other programs open to high school students that are available in the fall/winter. I know there is an improv program and I've encouraged her to consider that. She was wondering about any dancing programs. That was what she felt she was weakest in and would like to enrich that area. Please let us know. Thanks again for being a wonderful addition to our summer.

Kindest Regards,
Mary-Jo Karpenko and Hannah

August 24, 2006

Dear Linda,

I met you recently through the Theater Camp that you offered Aug 14 - Aug 18. My daughter, Nina, was one of the Cabaret Kids. Nina thoroughly enjoyed the week, and it was great fun to watch the performance on the weekend. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Amanda DiLella

August 30, 2006

Greetings Linda St. George!

Thank you for giving two of our youth the opportunity to participate in the DCT Summer Youth Education program.
We were thrilled to be able to attend the performance night and see all of the youth shine---which was outstanding! I have such respect and admiration for the work you and all of the DCT staff did to make it happen.

Again thank you for offering our kids the opportunity, the scholarship that made their summer a special one!

Our best regards,
Linda Hagarty
Monroe County Youth and Family Partnership

12/06

Dear Mrs. St George,

I am writing as a parent of a participant of the Downstairs Cabaret Summer Camp. My daughter, Mya, attended the last week of the program and boy did she wish she had spent all summer there!

The activities of the camp not only progressed her skills and knowledge, but ignited a fire in her to act!!! Her confidence, self esteem, and true love for performance was taken to a new high as a direct result of your program. She has since done auditions with great skill and looks forward to the summer when she can attend the program again.

As a parent, I particularly liked that the program was all day so there was time to work on acting, singing, and dancing with peers. Also, having the performances on the weekend meant there was a full week of practice. Mya has attended other programs, but they do not compare to the depth of teaching your program provided and the level of inspiration it gave to her.

A big thank you and we look forward to the summer.

Sincerely,

Taysie Pennington

Dear Linda,

I loved this program. The kids that were in it were very nice and talented. The instructors were absolutely amazing. From you, I learned so much about acting and became even better. Dancing for me was tough, but the help from Jessie and Danni was great. I actually knew the dances and was not afraid to ask for help. I really enjoyed the performance, especially from “Fools!” The part I got was so much fun to do. I loved the games that we did, too. I really liked the car drive game. I liked how you did a lot of different musicals so we got to learn about them. The singing was very fun, too. I pretty much liked everything about the program and I learned so much. I even learned how to be more comfortable with the other kids through acting. Now, for my play this year, I try to act all the time through my acting, singing, games, and dancing. I learned that from this program; to always be in character. I had so much fun and I can’t wait to come back next year!

From,

Mya Pennington

September 2006

What do former students and their parents have to say about the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre's Summer Education Program?