The Riverdale Children’s Theatre began as a community theatre company for kids in 2010 by Derek and Becky Woods.  Since then, it has evolved into a 501c-3 non-profit Theatre arts education program that serves families in the Bronx, Yonkers and beyond! 

RCT produces full scale musical theatre productions, offers music and dance programs, and distributes thousands of dollars in scholarship each year so that any child can have access to their high quality arts program.

 

Over 95% of their students are accepted into the competitive NYC Performing Arts High Schools, and many of our students are going on to professional careers and attending some of the nations’ top performing arts colleges and universities. 

Riverdale Children's Theatre has been cited in Backstage Magazine and by AmericanTowns Media as one of the leading children’s theatre companies in the United States, and in 2021 were recognized nationally and internationally as a “Champion For Change”

 

Riverdale Children’s Theatre also has the distinction of being one of only four official “pilot” programs in the country recognized by leading theatrical licensing company, Music Theatre International.  We help workshop new shows and scripts that help the authors bring their amazing shows to new audiences!

“The Riverdale Children’s Theatre has demonstrated artistic excellence, along with a commitment to high educational values for their young artists” said John Prignano of Music Theatre International, ”On the heels of their exceptional work on the original pilot of Disney’s Little Mermaid Junior in 2011, we have continued to work with RCT on numerous pilot productions and revues” RCT is proud to have been one of the first theatre companies 

to premiere Junior versions of:

Disney’s Little Mermaid

Disney’s Finding Nemo

Disney’s Aladdin

Dreamworks Madagascar, a Musical Adventure

Dreamworks Shrek the Musical

Children of Eden

Hairspray

Matilda

Mean Girls

Broadway Junior Revue: Pure Imagination

Beetlejuice the Musical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR MISSION:

Riverdale Children’s Theatre is a 501(c)3 non profit educational theatre program that brings together children from 

various religious and cultural backgrounds to learn 

about themselves, each other and the joy of performing.

By participating in a full scale theatrical production, 

children learn the basic elements of theatre, music and dance, 

while pushing their own creative and physical boundaries.  

‍ We believe the performing arts stimulate children emotionally and intellectually, and in the process raises self esteem, emphasizes teamwork and fosters a strong sense of community.  It also helps to enrich families, by providing an opportunity for parents to be a part of their children's growth in a fun and creative way!

 

Our Commitment to Kindness

We want RCT actors, parents, and staff to follow these basic rules:

1.Be Kind to Ourselves

2.Be Kind to Each Other

3. Be Kind to Our Space

We seek to be positive, putdown put-downs, honor our differences, discover our similarities, reject racism and discrimination, heal any hurts, listen to each other, reach high for success and strive for excellence.