Bringing musical theater instruction and performance to children of all backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses is the goal of a new children’s musical theater group just formed in Bayonne.
Van Horn Performance Theater, which serves children ages 7-17 in the Hudson County area, began operation late last year, according to owner/director Erin Van Horn, a teacher.
Van Horn has a love for theater, but has always done it recreationally.
“I wanted this to be fun, not work,” she said. “This was more important to me.”
Van Horn started the Perkel Youth Theater Group at the Bayonne Jewish Community Center in 2011. She was proud to see students from that endeavor apply to theater arts programs at Bayonne High School and High Tech High School in North Bergen.
Now, she has struck out on her own, taking her knowledge of acting, costumes, sound, and set design to others.
“I want them to get the technical aspect of theater, as well as the dancing and acting,” Van Horn said.
In order to do that, she has developed a curriculum that she and others teach while readying program participants for the buildup to an end-of-course production.
“We teach them in a very holistic manner,” she said. This includes every facet of theater arts possible.
Partnering with Jaime Costello of Jaime’s Music of Bayonne, Van Horn feels her program gives aspiring performers a strong base and board structure. In order to facilitate optimal learning, each cast is kept to about 20 children.
“I want them to get the technical aspect of theater, as well as the dancing and acting.” – Erin Van Horn
Children from anywhere can apply to the program. And while there is tuition for the instruction, measures are taken to try to ensure any child seeking the theater education can attain it.
“Applicants include low-income families,” Van Horn said. “We want all families, regardless of their backgrounds, to have their children learn theater.”
Flexible spending plans are available, and fundraisers will be held during the course of each production to help defray costs.
Those involved with the new initiative and the musical itself are excited about bringing this type of instruction and production hybrid to the city.
“Musical theater, and the arts as a whole, is growing rapidly around Hudson County right now,” said music director Jaime Costello. “It is my hope that the VHPT can help more of our local youth become part of this and share in this renaissance.”
The group just held auditions last week for “Little Shop of Horrors Jr.,” which will run as a 16-week workshop with a community performance in early June.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to create and incorporate spirited choreography for this comedy-horror-rock musical, ‘Little Shop of Horrors Jr.,’” said choreographer Meredith McCarthy. “I’m looking forward to working with the performers and putting on a fun show.”
The group’s rehearsal space is uptown on Avenue C in Bayonne and its performances will include sites throughout Bayonne and Jersey City.
For more information about the theater group or “Little Shop of Horrors Jr.,” visit https://www.facebook.com/vanhornperformancetheater.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.