Garden Players Musical Theater For Kids — Local services in New York

The Garden Players is a phenomenal group, led under the visionary direction of Betina Hershey and her equally talented colleagues. Mrs. Hershey is musically prolific and directs the crew of actors for musical theater shows under a focused and attentive eye. She trains the actors in speech, voice, blocking, and background theater such as lights, curtains, spotlight. Her spirit of optimism reflects on the constant tidal wave of success that the actors in her shows demonstrate. I was a member of the Garden Players as a child and have gone on to sing classical music at Carnegie Hall, my plays have been performed off-off and off-Broadway, and my short films have won awards at film festivals nationally and internationally. All of these accomplishments were possible due to the excellent start I got with Betina Hershey and The...

This was my 12 year old daughter’s first big performance and my family’s first experience with Garden Players. We were so impressed with it all! The play, the music, the sets- everything. We attended both shows and what a treat it was.

To see these kids get up there and do it was so amazing. In this day and age where everything is so screen oriented, I feel like kids are losing their abilities to interact in person. I’m So proud of my daughter for getting out of her comfort zone. She was over the moon after, and the whole family has been singing the songs all week!

Betina is a former Broadway performer and brings that experience and professionalism. What she is doing in the community is so valuable and special and I’m glad we have her. I can’t wait to see her band play when they perform locally...

The Garden Players is a true neighbor gem! Betina Hershey is one of a kind—patient, innovative, and talented. My three daughters studied with Betina and each have had such wonderful experiences. The classes are so fun and it’s so great to see the student’s confidence grow with each semester. My one daughter graduated the program in 8th grade and was so committed to Garden’s Players that she stayed with the program throughout high school as an assistant. She learned so much as a student and then really had so much appreciation to see the show come together from start to finish. The program is a great way to meet friends in the neighbor and beyond. Garden Players helps young people to build confidence, express themselves creatively and work together to create a...