Shining Studios, a theatre school and community theatre here in Port Washington, will be celebrating its first-year anniversary with two new performances on the horizon and a full summer camp experience this summer as well. Shining Studios students are currently rehearsing for the musical productions of The Wizard of Oz and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Jr. 
The studio is filled with young artists exercising their vocal and acting skills under the tutelage of their gifted mentor and founder and director of Shining Studios, Kyle Savage.
Eleven-year-old Christopher Williams said, “I wanted to act and my mother found Shining Studios. It’s a lot of fun. It all comes down to a fun show and having a good experience.”
Eleven-year-old Amelie Weinstein said, “I wasn’t used to a large crowd, but I have gained confidence through Shining Studios, I love it!”
Christina Aiello, who is 10 years old, said, “I started one year ago
and met very kind and loving people. Kyle took me under his wing and when I got on stage I felt it was natural, we are one big family.”
Eleven-year-old Emily Baxter said, “When I first walked in the door I said, oh yeah, I belong here.”
Gaia Dash, who is 10 years old, said, “The way we do things here gives us a sense of what real theater is like. I love it here because we are treated like real actors. We learn and get experience on stage. We have grown to be more than friends, we are like family.”
Savage has an inspirational history in the field of performing arts that began at the age of five. Throughout high school he participated in many vocal ensembles, drama club performances and musical productions. He graduated from Adelphi University with a BA in English and theatre and has an MA in education.
Savage shares his vision and love for performing arts on a daily basis. He said, “When I opened Shining Studios almost a year ago, I never thought that it would have exploded the way that it did in this community. We currently have approximately 100 students involved in classes and productions and only plan on continuing to expand. What I find most outstanding is how our students, parents, families and staff have all become one big family inside and out of the studio.”
Shine with Us, Shining Studios’ summer camp, is from Monday, July 11, through Friday, Aug. 5, for children ages 6 to 12 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Port Washington.
All campers will receive daily instruction in acting, singing and dance as well as camp Olympics special guests and a trip to a Broadway show. They will be a part of a full-scale musical production that will be held at the Landmark on Main Street on Friday, Aug. 5.
Shining Studios will present The Wizard of Oz on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, at the Polish American Hall in Port Washington and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Jr. on June 23 and 24 at the Landmark on Main Street.
For more information about Shining Studios or to register, visit their website at www.shiningstudios.org or call 631-334-9611.
