New beginnings at local theater arts center

A boost of self-assurance never hurts.

Haddonfield Theater Arts Center, which is now entering its third season in town, aims to do just that for area children.

The center will be hosting an open house weekend on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Those in attendance can meet owners Christa and Scott Laska, transplants of the Manhattan theater hub, hear some live music, have free refreshments and take a tour of the studio.

The kids who utilize the center, many of whom return for multiple seasons, are “wonderfully dramatic,” boasted Christa.

“We just finished our summer camp production,” she said, “which was a lot of fun.”

The production was “Willy Wonka, Jr.”

Opening their doors two years ago, the center quickly grew and relocated to its current Kings Highway East address last November.

The Laskas themselves, graduates of Marymount Manhattan College with bachelor of fine arts degrees, have worked in a variety of theater outlets, such as film, musical productions, television and voice over.

“Now, we have those experiences to share with the kids,” said Christa, who has a young son herself, 3 ½-year-old Jack.

“Almost old enough to be a Broadway baby,” she laughed.

The duo spent their wedding night at the Haddonfield Inn and always had in the back of their minds that they would one day relocate to the borough.

When the pieces of the puzzle fit and the move was possible, the town embraced her family, she said, adding that it is “quite different from New York City, though!”

The open house will introduce families to what the Laskas do.

Many parents, she said, will enroll their children to build confidence at an early age rather than to enter the theater profession.

“It helps them with their public speaking and their confidence,” she said. “With confidence especially, we think that is such a wonderful tool to have no matter what they decide to do with their life.”

Students, acting as a group, build deep friendships with their comrades.

And, the parents have noticed the difference, she said.

“That’s really what it’s about when they’re young,” Christa added.

Mainly, the theater currently instructs children ages four to 17, but also has private instruction for others.

The center is interested in continuing to grow.

“Who knows what’s next on the agenda,” she said.

From a holiday show to an end of the season June production, the Laskas look for ways to bring New York elements to Haddonfield.

They bring in guests from Broadway and television shows for their Master Classes, and in October, Justin Guarini will make a visit.

“Since finishing as the runner up in season 1 of ‘(American) Idol,’ Justin has gone on to appear on Broadway in ‘Women on the Verge’ and ‘American Idiot,’” the owners wrote in a release.

It’s fun for the young actors to receive feedback from the performers, said Christa.

“The students absolutely love it,” she said.

The performances the youngsters produce are written specifically for them. Each gets the chance to be spotlighted in a featured song, monologue or other medium.

“What we’re doing there now is getting ready for our fall season,” she said. “We try very hard to keep our class sizes limited. We don’t like to overcrowd the classes.”

The open house is important, she explained.

“It’s really nice when the kids have the opportunity to come and see the facility,” she said, to better understand the goals of the center.

Registration for the event is available now.

“Whether the child is destined for Broadway or wants to be part of the school activities or just looking to have fun with a group of kids, it’s all positive.” She said. “It’s a great environment.”

For more details

The Haddonfield Theater Arts Center is located at 6 ½ Kings Highway East in Haddonfield. Visit http://haddonfieldtheaterartscenter.com/ or call (856) 229–7838 for additional information.