Gas Lamp Players presents its ‘Aesop’s Fables’

Michael D’Onofrio, Staff Writer
While many schools sat silent this past winter break, Ridgewood Avenue School remained open for the Gas Lamp Players’ winter workshop. The weeklong workshop introduced kids to performing arts and theater through activities and games, which culminated in a theatrical performance by the children on Saturday.
The Gas Lamp Players have been a member of the Glen Ridge community for more than 20 years. As a not-for-profit, independent arts organization, they are funded by ticket sales, workshops, donations and volunteers. Throughout the years, the Gas Lamp Players have put on numerous plays, such as “Beauty and the Beast,” 2009; “The King and I,” 2008; and “Footloose,” 2007.
In addition to theatrical plays, the organization organizes student workshops during the district’s winter and spring breaks, as well as a five-week course in the summer for grades K through eight. The workshops always conclude with a rehearsed play which is put on by the students. These workshops are the Gas Lamp Players’ educational wing, where the staff introduces students to theater, custom design, and improvisation, among other things. The staff has been organizing student workshops for the last four years.
This winter break, the students rehearsed and presented an interpretation of “Aesop’s Fables.” About 40 students from grades K to five participated in the program. The play also included 12 songs which the students sang.
“It’s been a great program,” said Amy Baldassare, who is currently the vice president of the Gas Lamp Players and who produced the show. “The kids really take care of each other, and its amazing to see the mentoring that goes on between them.”

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