Cameron Ridgely, 9, may be a kid, but he has big dreams. Ridgely, of Marblehead, has performed in 19 — that’s right, 19 — productions with North Shore Children’s Theater.
Right now, he’s rehearsing for his roles as Zeke and a flying monkey in “The Wizard of Oz.”
“I like singing and dancing and my goal is to grow up and be a Broadway star,” Ridgely said. “I’d like to play Aaron Burr in ‘Hamilton.’”
NSCT, based at 19 Prospect St. in Marblehead, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The troupe puts on 15 shows a year, including plays and musicals for Marblehead’s Village, Veterans and Charter schools. It has served more than 1,000 kids ages 4 to 18.
“I’ve gotten to see so many kids grow up in this theater and learn public speaking and teamwork,” said Kim Piver of Marblehead who leads the NSCT board of directors. Her two children, now in college, participated in NSCT for years.
“When kids don’t necessarily know where they fit in, this can be it,” Piver said. “My kids got here and never left. And once they have that self-confidence, once they feel like they have a place, they just start to blossom.”
Ayla Fox, of Marblehead, said she tried a bunch of different activities before discovering that performing was her passion. At age 11, she has already been in 16 NSCT shows and is currently rehearsing for her role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and Fork in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Fox, who wants to be a movie star when she grows up, says NSCT has taught her about persistence.
“When I started doing theater here, I had stage fright, but now I love being on stage,” she said. “So you just have to keep trying.”
NSCT is looking for a permanent home where it can stage productions. Right now, the troupe rents auditoriums across the North Shore, which can make it challenging for young actors to get to rehearsals and shows.
“Our main goal is to raise enough money to be able to purchase a home, so we can have a place where we can perform, rehearse, do everything,” said NSCT Founder and Director Nicole Poirier. “Right now, we’re just like a traveling circus.”
Upcoming NSCT performances include the following:
“Wizard of Oz” (NSCT, ages 4-14)
Show Date: Nov. 21-23
Where: Collins Middle School, Salem
“Little Women” musical (NSCT, high school students)
Show Date: Dec. 19-21
Where: Peabody Black Box Theatre (22 Foster St.)
“Beauty and the Beast” (Vets Middle School show)
When: Dec. 12, 14
Where: PAC at Marblehead Veterans School
“Matilda” (Village School show)
When: March 5-7
Where: Village School, Marblehead
Learn more about the North Shore Children’s Theater at nsctheatre.org.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
