Applause for Applause

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BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG SMILES

Byline: Kids' theater program builds self-confidence in shy youngsters
Publication: Jewish Times
Date: November, 2004

When they moved from New York City to Atlanta seven years ago to start a support group for local actors, performers Lawrence and Jennifer Salberg noticed there were "very few drama programs" for children, whereas in Manhattan there were several "even for little ones" Jennifer Salberg recalled. So the couple, who trained with Academy Award nominee William H. Macy, decided last year to open their own studio, Applause for Kids. In a 700-square-foot space along Piedmont Road, they started with six pupils, offering dance, voice, improv and acting. The staff is made up of professional thespians. "It's about kids building each other up instead of sizing each other up," Lawrence Salberg told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last year. "It's not about being the best, but about the best you can be," Jennifer Salberg added. "It really frees them." It was a notion that appealed to parents, and Applause for Kids quickly grew, and relocated to bigger digs on Roswell Road, where 300 students now participate in a weekly schedule that includes hip hop, jazz, and fairy tale theater. The performing arts school also has an in-school program, and plans to open a 6,500-square-foot 200-seat theater in December, when it premieres its first production, "Annie," running Dec. 10 to 12. The in-school program caught the attention of Susan Pollock, director of Temple Sinai's preschool, whose daughter attended the Applause for Kids teen summer camp program. Pollock brought a proposal to Sinai preschool parents to invite the Salbergs to create a six-week Friday morning program for the 4-year olds, and they obliged, noting the program's intent to instill in students self-confidence and self-awareness. "When I observe the children, there is a smile on every face," Pollock said. "The children all participate, even the ones who are normally shy." Jennifer Salberg didn't want the 3-year olds at the preschool to feel left out, so she devised a way for them to get involved in the end of the program presentation the older students will perform on Dec. 10. Following a Jewish version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," in which Goldilocks partakes of brisket instead of porridge, the 3-year olds will sing Chanukah songs for the parent audience. "We adapt the program to each school in order to instill in students self-assuredness," said Salberg. "My goal is to get each child to stand in front of an audience with a bold voice and shining, twinkling eyes." Alison Levine, whose daughters attend Applause programs, says she believes the performing arts "help their self-confidence. My kids are a little shy, but with Applause they feel like superstars, no matter how much talent they have." Youngest daughter Alexa, 3, attends Temple Sinai's preschool and wakes up in the morning wanting to know "if it's an Applause day," she added. Similarly Steven and Jamie Kleber, whose daughter Morgan, 5, attends Applause, says getting up on stage week in and week out "gives [kids] self-confidence." Parents credit the Salbergs with guiding their children gently towards the bright lights. "Jennifer is like the Mrs. Doubtfire of Atlanta for our children. She nurtures and takes care of them," said Jay and Stephanie Fisher, who took their daughter Rachel, 5, to Applause to build her self-esteem. "We fell in love with the program--and with her."

By Jan Jaben-Eilon