March 29, 2024

Spotlight On RENT: Our Newest RRS Cast Members

We have 6 new teens who joined our program and will make their RRS debut in   our upcoming production of RENTHere they are…

New RRS cast members

 How did you make your way to RRS?

Danikha: My good friend Tati has been a part of RRS for a few years and introduced me to the program. I was excited to join since I had previously decided not to do the musical production at my school and even more so after hearing that RRS was doing one of my favorite musicals.

Casey: My boyfriend, Julian Bar-Illan, had been in All Shook Up and he said I should join, since he knows I love the arts and I am so glad I did!

Gabby: When I moved to Riverdale earlier this year, my family friend Lindsey Crowe, suggested that I join. She said that it is so much fun and the people that we meet here are incredibly friendly and talented in the production.

Gedalia: My sisters, Nava and Michal Schorsch, have been doing RRS for years, and I had wanted to join but I never had the nerve. It was only until this year that I mustered up the courage to go to auditions and try out.

Shua: My aunt’s niece is in the junior program.

Tyler: Julian introduced me into this program and I became very interested to join a show. Also, Lindsey and Rachel made a little impact for me to join the show. I’m glad I chose to do this.

John: My friend Lindsey Crowe had invited me to come see All Shook Up but I couldn’t. A couple days later we were in Starbucks talking about how she had just come from a voice lesson. Somehow that led her telling me about RRS and how they were going to be doing the show RENT. She told me to come audition and that “RENT NEED GUYS!”; and now – I’m Angel.

How do you feel about being in your first RRS show?

Danikha: It’s definitely different! I had never ventured from TADA!, a musical theater program in the city, or the shows at my high school so RRS has been a totally new experience. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many incredibly talented people and being part of a production that has matured me both mentally and in life.

Casey: It is very different from my school theater program, which is where I started. Rent is also very different from the other plays I have been in.

Gabby: I’ve been in one other play before, a long, long time ago. I am excited to get back into musical theater and I am enjoying the experience of meeting new friends and getting into the gist of showbiz.

Gedalia: I am definitely nervous but I am super excited to be doing my very first show. I have been watching these shows for years, and now I am a part of it. There is no greater feeling than trying something new, and absolutely loving it. I love RRS and I look forward to doing more shows.

Shua: it’s a new experience for me, but an enjoyable experience.

Tyler: I’ve been in other shows, but I have never been in a show that had a really, great cast, director and people to surround me with, so it’s a great experience for me. I love it!

John: I’ve done musical theatre a couple times before so RRS isn’t a completely new experience to me. However, RRS  moves a bit faster than the musical theatre program I was in before. I also like that RRS is a very progressive program. The pace of RENT is a minor adjustment; but a REALLY FUN experience nonetheless.

What other shows have you been in?

Danikha: I’ve done Grease at my school, productions in SING a student-produced program and shows at TADA!.

Casey: I have been in Gypsy; as Baby June, Little Shop of Horrors; as Chiffon, World Affairs; as Liz, One Way or Another; as Jane, Oliver; as Nancy, Rhinoceros; as Daisy, and I will be appearing in Guys and Dolls in May as Sarah Brown at my school theater program.

Gabby: I have been in all shook up when I was younger.

Gedalia: I have never been in any show, ever. This is my first show ever.

Shua: None!

Tyler: I have been in a show on 42nd street and in my school and other places. This is my first show in RRS, so I am very excited for what the results are and how the crowd reacts.

John: HONK! (ensemble + minor part ) , The Wiz ( Scarecrow ) , and small plays at churches when I was younger.

Laurie About Laurie

Laurie Walton is the Founder and Creator of Riverdale Rising Stars Performing Arts Programming, which is now in it's 12th season. In addition to serving the community in Riverdale, Laurie also played a big part in the Broadway community: as an actress and talent agent, having started the distinguished East Coast office of SCAW Inc.

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