Some of the Magic To Do Players enact a scene from Peter Pan.

 Photo, Courtesy, Westco Productions

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westco Productions. (Edited) May 19, 2007: Westco Productions, White Plains’ continuously producing, year-round professional arts organization for 27 years, has received a five-year grant from Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services for $44,850 for its four year-old  Magic To Do Players Creative Theater Workshop Program.

Each Magic To Do Players session serves 20-30 young people who have developmental disabilities such as Autism, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and other disabilities.

The program was created four years ago by "First Lady of White Plains Theater," Westco's founder,  Susan Katz with the goal of offering young people with developmental disabilities the opportunityto participate in a performing arts experience.

The youngsters experience the exciting process of creating a musical production and performing for an audience. The program consists of two 11-week sessions (spring and fall) where the group rehearses on Saturdays , learning songs, dances and dialogue that culminate in a performance at the end of each session.

Parents of children who have participated in the classes have raved about the positive experiences their disabled youngsters have had and the new skills the magic of theatre has brought out in their children that their children  never could do before. The ability  to appear on a stage before an audience  – following directions – singing – working as a team – anyone who saw the troop perform at the Westchester Broadway Theatre last year -- including this cynical, seen-it-all Broadway reporter -- was touched by the potential the Magic To Do Players staff turned into new skills with their “special players.”

Benefits of the program include helping with social skills, developing friendships, building communication and conversation skills, fostering self-confidence and self-discipline, and support of self-expression and cultural enrichment via the theater arts.