
Young performers get to share their razzle dazzle thanks to Sharon Playhouse education programs. Photo Submitted
Professional summer theater productions at the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, Conn., lure audiences to the area and have been doing so for years. The advantages to Northwest Corner towns are many.
Now sharing space with that professional theater is an upgraded and enhanced educational program that includes intensive training in the theater arts. For teens, it may be the Youth Theater program. The program’s classes and activities can also accommodate the very young whose artistic leanings are exuberantly unfettered, and the older kids refining their performing skills in acting, voice or movement. Teens continue their progression. There are additional offerings for adults who just plain enjoy a common interest in theater.
Regardless of level — beginning or advanced — each student of any age is discovering theater arts in the playhouse’s education program, buoyed by the instruction of Associate Artistic Director Michael Baldwin, teamed with the dance and acting classes of Education Associate and Company Manager Sarah Cuoco. Additional teachers from Broadway and beyond offer their credentials and talents in voice and acting.
“We’re incredibly proud,” both Baldwin and Cuoco agreed during an interview on Wednesday, June 22, as this summer’s program was getting underway.
The last week of June would bring teens to rehearse the Youth Theater stage production of Jane Austen’s enduring 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice,” arranged for a modern stage production by Kate Hamill. With just two weeks of rehearsal, the show would open in July. The rehearsal atmosphere during a second visit on Wednesday, June 29, was appropriately intense and positive.
Shows are selected a year in advance.
“The key is to discover what the kids are talking about,” Baldwin said, as an aid to choosing shows. “Pride and Prejudice” promised a good fit.
The play’s message being conveyed by this cast to their 21st-century theater audience is one of timeless social commentary in which the characters deal with rigid personal and societal bias wrapped in a period-costumed story of romance. It’s about discovery and finding humanity waiting beyond the confines of ingrained bias.
“Having a director of education has made a huge difference,” Baldwin said, noting the rapid growth of the program. In light of the success, the theater’s Board of Directors is committed to investing in the program’s expansion. Included is the prospect of the educational program going year-round, adding fall and spring, Baldwin said.
The program has already expanded into offering theater arts education in local schools. Baldwin said that the arts education program is in its second year at Indian Mountain School in Salisbury, Conn., and as an arts residency at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, Conn. In the coming year, the youth arts program will be introduced at Sharon Center School.
“He’s a really good director,” cast member Rory Marquis of Millbrook, N.Y., said of Baldwin. “He’s good at giving instruction and he makes it fun.” Members of the cast who were not needed in a rehearsal scene were learning their lines outdoors in the sunshine, eager to speak of their experience in the program.
“It feels more like a camp in the summer,” said Olivia Brooks of Lakeville, Conn. “It also brings us close to the company.” Coming from throughout the region and from New York City, the teens spoke of the value of socializing and getting to know each other. And, that the audition experience had not been pressured.
“We are both of the community,” Baldwin said of himself and Cuoco. “We grew up in Lakeville.
“We have a vested interest in sustaining the opportunities we had as youth,” he added. “Growing up with the Sharon Playhouse was incredible.” At age 10 Baldwin first appeared on the Sharon Playhouse stage.
In his teens he began helping at the box office. From that vantage point, he foresaw expanding the education program to bring young people a deeper connection with the playhouse.
“We see change at every level,” Baldwin said of the instruction and its effectiveness as students display growing confidence. “It’s the most rewarding thing that we do,” he added.
Across all age groups taking the classes, Baldwin said, whether young people or adults, they leave the Sharon Playhouse a fuller version of themselves.
“They discover themselves,” Cuoco agreed.
“When I was 17,” Baldwin recalled, “I played Humpty Dumpty for a Sharon Youth Theater production. I was on the wall, then I was off the wall. The Sharon Playhouse was the safest, most inclusive place to discover and then to express my true self.”
Cuoco picked up the conversation. “Just being in this environment at the Sharon Playhouse,” she said, “I have met some of my favorite people.”
“Dancers are actors,” she explained, “just as much as actors are actors. You can teach someone a step, but they bring themselves to create a dance.”
Speaking of steps, admitting to stepping onto his imaginary soap box, Baldwin said, “There is no better way to teach collaboration or empathy. People have to work together as an ensemble, to step into someone else’s shoes and life experiences.”
What’s next?
This summer’s production schedule is packed with opportunities for young talent. Upcoming youth productions include “Winnie the Pooh Kids,” “Sharon Playhouse Stars” and “Shrek Jr.”
Future planning includes possible field trips, where groups could be bused to Sharon Playhouse to attend youth performances.
Baldwin also looks ahead to writing original shows for young people and having actors go on tour to area schools.
For more information about the education program and upcoming productions, and to acquire tickets that are going fast, go to: www.sharonplayhouse.org.
Sharon Playouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Baldwin gets young imaginations growling and growing. Photo Submitted
Sharon Playouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Baldwin gets young imaginations growling and growing. Photo Submitted
Cornwall Consolidated School seventh graders Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willow Berry, Claire Barbosa, Willa Lesch, Vivianne DiRocco and Franco Aburto presented a group research project on the life of Naomi Freeman Wednesday, April 23. In attendance were U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., John Mills, president of Alex Breanne Corporation, Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Cornwall Selectman Jennifer Markow and CCS social studies teacher Will Vincent.
CORNWALL — “In Cornwall you have made the decision that everyone here matters and everyone’s story is important,” said U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, to the seventh grade class at Cornwall Consolidated School April 23.
Hayes was in attendance to celebrate history on Wednesday as the CCS students presented their group research project on the life of Naomi Cain Freeman, the first Black female landowner in Cornwall.
To memorialize Freeman, the seventh graders petitioned the town selectmen to rename Great Hollow Road where the Freemans once lived. New street signs for Naomi Freeman Historic Road were created with some help from the town highway department.
“No one in this community, or the state for that matter, will ever forget that this happened here,” said Hayes.
Cornwall Highway Department helped the students create new signs to install on Great Hollow Road.Photo by Riley Klein
Per Cornwall Historical Society records, Freeman’s story began in 1794 when she was born in Vermont. John Sedgwick and his wife Abigail, of Cornwall, adopted her in 1801: an act that protected her from slavery, which was still legal in Connecticut at the time.
Sedgwick included Naomi in his will and she received a dowry after his death in 1820.
Naomi later married Obadiah “Obed” Freeman, a man who had been enslaved in Cornwall. She purchased an acre in Cornwall, becoming the town’s first African American woman to own land, and the two settled on Great Hollow Road in 1828.
Nearly 200 years later, the street itself bears her name.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done and that Naomi Freeman will continue to be an impactful presence in our town,” said CCS student Vivianne DiRocco.
DiRocco and her classmates Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willa Lesch, Willow Berry, and Claire Barbosa discovered Freeman’s story earlier this year while conducting research into important women in Cornwall’s history. The full project will be presented at Troutbeck Symposium May 1.
“One of the archaeologists who excavated the Freemans’ home told us about a gap in Connecticut’s history concerning the everyday life for free African Americans. We hope that we filled that gap a little bit,” said Lesch.
There are no known photographs or portraits of Freeman. The students utilized artificial intelligence to create images of what she might have looked like during her life in Cornwall.
The students created artwork to show what Naomi Freeman, her husband Obed and daughter Sarah might have looked like living in Cornwall.Photo by Riley Klein
“What an incredible example of what happens when young people are given the tools, the encouragement and the space to lead,” said CCS Principal Leanne Maguire. “Thank you for showing us what is possible when curiosity meets courage.”
John Mills, president of the Alex Breanne Corporation in West Hartford, was consulted by the students to help unearth census data and track down living descendants of Freeman. His company researches formerly enslaved people and brings their stories to light.
Mills said he was surprised to see the extensive research that was conducted by the students by the time he was contacted. His company sometimes helps render images for individuals lost to history, but the students had even taken that on themselves.
“I’m incredibly impressed with what you’ve done here,” said Mills to the students. “Now you’re a part of the celebration and civic engagement.”
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.