A Special Place: Brooklyn Children’s Theatre is Where Young Voices Take the Stage

By Amanda Moses

For more than two decades, Brooklyn Children’s Theatre (BCT) has fostered a creative space where imagination leads, and young voices are given the spotlight. This spring, that mission took center stage once again.

On April 20, the organization hosted its annual gala at Sony Hall, transforming the Times Square venue into a celebration of creativity, accessibility, and the power of arts education. Titled A Special Place, the evening honored both the group’s longstanding legacy and the students who continue to shape its future.

The program’s impact was evident earlier in the year. On Feb. 11, in partnership with The Opportunity Hub and Abe Stark Primary School 346, students presented a four-part theatrical production titled Home is Where the Heart Is. Organized by classroom, the showcase featured original student works ranging from the whimsical dance piece All Out of Luckville to the high-energy Pixel Panic, the imaginative Monsters in the Forest, and the spirited The Rot Pot.

The performances were more than school plays written by children; they reflected BCT’s guiding philosophy: that theater can serve as a tool for confidence, connection, and self-discovery.

That approach was echoed at the organization’s annual gala, where leaders underscored a continued commitment to accessibility. For over two decades, the theater program has worked to empower Brooklyn students through inclusive, transformative arts education, original plays written by and for young participants, social-emotional learning, and scholarships, enabling 77% of BCT students to attend for free or at a subsidized rate.

The night’s highest honor was awarded to Kecia Lewis, recognized for her 40-year career as a storyteller and performer. Speaking at the event, Lewis reflected on the impact of arts education in her own upbringing and emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation.

“I had a performing arts education as a kid,” she shared. “We were prepared to be excellent, no matter what profession we chose.”

She encouraged young performers to commit fully to their craft and growth.

“If you have a dream and you are working at becoming excellent at it, you are a blessed individual,” she said. “To have instructors who care deeply about you and your future, that’s a gift. Learn everything you can, not just about performing, but about life.”

In a city rich with performance spaces, Brooklyn Children’s Theatre continues to show that impactful artistic experiences often begin well before the stage-in classrooms, communities and in the early development of young voices.

Photos by Amanda Moses