"It Is Not a Dream, It Is Our Reality"

Susan Uberti is currently the director of the Academy of St. Dorothy Drama Club program here on Staten Island. Check out this previous post for more about the program. 
Susan has been my mentor and friend since I was in the fifth grade. I have worked with her as an actress and more recently beside her as a choreographer. She has much experience on both sides of the stage that have helped children all over the island. Anyone who has worked with "Miss Susan" knows that she is not just your director, but someone with a heart of gold who is always willing to help you (personally or to grow as an actor/actress.)

MN: Where were you born and raised?
SU: I was born  in Manhattan but my family moved to Brooklyn when I was a year and a half old. 

MN: Did you always have a passion for theater?
SU: We didn’t  have the financial means to be exposed to Broadway as such, but we did listen to the music and watched all the theatrical events on TV. This began my journey, the passion came later in High School. 

MN: Was there anyone who put you on this path to acting?
SU: Yes, Sr Joseph Ignatius, my very strict Spanish teacher, who was put in charge of the High School play. 

MN: What were some of your best experiences as an actress?
SU: The first time I took a curtain call, I couldn’t believe they were clapping for me. As a matter of fact I actually looked behind me to see who was there. My first standing ovation for my portrayal of Mae Petersen in Bye Bye Birdie. The audience recognition and applause when I returned after a two year absence to play General Matilda B. Cartwright in Guys and Dolls. Last and my very favorite one:  the look on my parent s’ faces when I sang , “Not While I’m Around” directly to them  from the stage at our reunion show in 1991. 
 
MN: If you had to pick your favorite role, which would it be and why?
SU: That’s a hard one, because each of them hold a special place for a different reason. But if I had to choose, it would have to be Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, my debut performance. That began my journey, my passion and my discovery of the real “me”. 

MN: What is your favorite musical and why?
SU: Man of La Mancha. I guess because I too dream the impossible dream and if truth be known, like Don Quijote, it is not a dream, it is our reality! 

MN: Do you feel more comfortable being behind the stage directing or being on the stage performing?
SU: At this point I guess I would say directing for so many reasons. But all in all I would say that I have had equal happiness and satisfaction doing both.
 
MN: How long have you been the director for the Can-Do Kids?
SU: 11 wonderful years. 

MN: What was the first show you worked on with the program?
SU: “I remember Mama” 

MN: Where did the name "Can-Do Kids" originate?
SU: Originally, the children and I got the inspiration from the song in “Guys and Dolls.” From the beginning, “can’t” was a dirty word and “love” was the only way.

MN: I'm sure it is difficult to sometimes get through to the young children you direct, what is the best advice you can give others when instructing children?
SU: Teach and direct as a collaborator and never a dictator. Remember  what it was like to be a kid. Always  come from a stand point of  “Do as I  do” never just “As I say”. Believe in them, see each and everyone of their special talents, and never give up even when they start to. Push them  relentlessly towards excellence and they will never disappoint you. Hold them close and protect their very fragile egos and hearts, you’ll never regret it.  

MN: How do you feel being part of the drama club can help these kids in the long run?
SU: I believe it teaches them many things. It gives them a good sense of themselves as they learn to present themselves in the best possible way. This will be useful not only on a stage, but at a job interview, a business presentation , a college interview etc. It  teaches them the importance of working as a team for a common goal. It gives them a sense of responsiblity and how their actions not only affect them but the group as a whole. It teaches them, discipline and focus. And I guess best of all, It make them feel really good about themselves and perhaps begins their journey of self discovery and passion.
 


I would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to Susan for donating her time and for helping me out once again. 
Don't forget to check out the Academy of St. Dorothy's Drama Club performance next March! 
 

We All Want to be Heard

This year the Academy of St. Dorothy's drama club production of "Oliver" featured live sound production from First Class Sound Productions, under the ownership of Alfred Ragone (former alumni- class of 2002 and a member of four ASD productions as a "Can-Do Kid".)

The sound system was designed to provide excellent live sound to the audience, and allow the actors and actresses to be heard at the furthest point of the auditorium. The design featured the main four characters: (Oliver, the Artful Dodger, Fagan, and Nancy) having live microphones throughout the entire show, being the four characters with the most dialogue. There were also four other headset microphones used that were alternated between various characters throughout the different scenes. A combined 12 different characters shared the other 4 microphones.

The microphones used were SHURE PGX-14 Wireless Headsets that are connected to PGX1 receivers. The 8 microphones were connected (wireless) to 8 receivers that the engineer controlled from the sound booth in the rear of the auditorium. The 8 receivers were then connected to a SoundCraft MFXi sound board. The sound engineer controlled which performers would have their microphones on and also controlled the overall volume balance to make sure the louder actors were lower than the softer volume actors to provide a good balance.

The sound engineer also provided two Audio Technica AT8035 "Shotgun Microphones" that were both angled at 45 degrees to the center of the stage. This would allow the actors and actresses that were not wearing microphones to be heard, and also helped increase the volume of the performers during group musical numbers.

Finally, the SoundCraft sound board was fed via microphone snake to the front of the auditorium to a QSC RMX-2450 Powered Amplifier which powered the two main satellite speakers in the auditorium. The two main speakers were JBL SoundFactor-15 PA Speakers. This system was one that peaks at 2,000 Watts, which was more than sufficient for the amount of people watching the show. The snake also fed a Yamaha STAGEPAS-150M powered mixer, which fed a Yamaha speaker in the dressing room of the theater so the performers could hear the show as it was being performed.

I was fortunate enough to retrieve this information from Mr. Ragone himself. Having started his own DJ company and his own show on WSJU Radio (St. John's University's radio station) "DJ Derf" is available to host any of your parties and use his top notch products to do so. Since I attended St. Dorothy's performance of "Oliver" I am here to tell you that the sound quality that emanated from the microphones were amazing. 

Academy of St. Dorothy's Can-Do Kids "Consider Themselves At Home" On The Stage

The "Can-Do Kids" is the title given to the drama club at the Academy of St. Dorothy that originated back in 2000. Directed and produced by Susan Uberti, the program has progressed greatly over the past ten years. The first play that was ever performed by the group was entitled "I Remember Mama" which included only about 10 eighth graders.  The drama club has been expanded with open arms to students in the fifth through the eighth grade. As the quantity of the group has grown so has the quality. They have graduated to musicals from straight plays. Since 2001, Susan Uberti and Michael Nastacio (musical director and my father) have collaborated with their "kids" to put on: "Guys and Dolls," "Hello Dolly," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Bye Bye Birdie," "The Music Man," "Annie," Footloose," "Oklahoma," and their most recent, "Oliver." With the approval and gracious consent of their principal, Sr. Sharon McCarthy, the Academy of St. Dorothy does something no other elementary school on the island attempts to do: gather groups that have ranged from 40-50 students and place them on one unified stage. Starting in September with auditions, the cast practices once a week, and has an all-day practice once a month on the weekend. Two of the most used phrases for the "Can-Do Kids" are: "There are no small parts, just small actors." and "The world Can't is not in our vocabulary." Not only has this program succeeded with grammar school children, but for two years it was also extended to previous alumni to put on two summer productions. In 2003 and 2004, alumni came back to the stage where they all began to put on "Godspell," and "The School of Thought" (a collaboration of Broadway songs and a script put together by the cast.)

As a proud alumni of the Academy of St. Dorothy and a "Can-Do Kid" I cannot express how much the program as grown and prospered over the years. I had the opportunity to be involved with the drama club since their first musical, "Guys and Dolls" as a sixth grader.  I was a dancer in both "Guys and Dolls," (Hot Box Girl) and "Hello Dolly." (A Waitress) As an eighth grader I obtained the role of "Annie," in "Annie Get Your Gun." Quite apprehensive at first, there were times throughout the six months where I believed I would never be able to pull it off. With the help and encouragement of my directors I gained so much confidence and was proud  and overjoyed of my final accomplishments. I made wonderful memories and walked away from the drama club with such a great experience that I joined my fellow alumni for those two summers to continue our dream. Even now, about six years later, I returned to St. Dorothy to volunteer as the choreographer (with one of my former fellow cast members and friend- Stephanie Vuono) for the "Can-Do Kids." I feel it is my obligation to make sure these children get the same experiences and feel the same way I did those three years on the stage in the auditorium. Unfortunately the summer program is no longer available, but the door is always opened for newcomers no matter what grade.

Michael Nastacio plays the piano as the musical accompaniment for the students. They work diligently with both Miss Susan and Mr. Mike for six months to put on their well-received three day performance in March. With the help of parent volunteers, the practices are always successful. On performance nights as well as dress rehearsal, former "Can-Do Kids" return when available to help out with backstage as well as sound. Specifically, this year, Alfred Ragone (alumni) volunteered to hook up the microphones so the actors and actresses could be heard much better from the stage. Hair and makeup as well as the set designs are also done by parents and alumni- and in some cases alumni parents.

I encourage all students who are not currently enrolled in the program to join. It does not interfere with any sports children are involved in. The directors are willing to work around the children's schedule. It is a very rewarding experience for everyone, whether they are in the fifth or  eighth grade. No matter when you choose to join you will be welcomed at anytime. Finally being on the audience side of the stage, parents will be amazed at what their children can do. Not only is it rewarding for the children, but for the parents as well to see the hard work their children have put in to make this show a success.


This year, eighth graders, John Paul Piccione, Robert Marchiano, Anthony Bentivegna, Mario Papa, and Joseph Roperti, backed up by a strong and amazing cast were able to put on three very entertaining performances on March 25, 26, and 27th. Many of these students go on to join the drama club when they enter high school as well. Speaking from experience, it is a great background to have behind you and is a definite confidence builder. Some of the biggest show-stoppers included "Food Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything," and "As Long As He Needs Me." Some critics might say "Oliver" is somewhat of a darker musical. For instance, the show begins with an orphanage filled with starving children. However, the children managed to put much life into the performance and really brightened up the show.

If you have seen any of the previous nine shows, you will know what to expect. "Oliver" was certainly a crowd pleaser. Even if you are not a fan of musicals themselves, it really is amazing to see a group of 40-50 grammar school students put on such intricate productions. The shows usually run for about two hours with a fifteen minute intermission where refreshments are sold. If you're looking for an early, but entertaining night out don't miss out on the St. Dorothy performances. It only happens once a year! Keep you eyes and ears peeled for the "Can-Do Kid's" performance next year at this time. While the cast is only opened to students in the school, the audience is opened to the public!