In addition to staging plays and concerts, The Palace Theater runs educational and cultural programs to engage community in the performing arts. Rebecca Gosselin is 12. She has participated in the Palace’s youth theatre programs for four years.
Rebecca: I’ve been doing a lot of shows, camps, I’ve done some activities there. The directors at the Palace are really supportive, they want to make sure they get the best in everyone, really bring out everyone’s talents, help them see how much fun this can be. I've played: Ariel in the Little Mermaid, the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz, Demeter in Cats. I’d have to say that Bell would definitely be one of my favorites, and also being an Ugly Stepsister, that was really fun, because I got to be so over the top dramatic, and it was such a great role because it’s just a ridiculous character, and way crazy, obnoxious - it’s just really fun.
When I stepped into theater I felt, “this is it, this is what I want to do, this is just me.” It has definitely really helped boost my confidence, it’s made it easier to try new things, it really helps me step out there, and I just feel like it’s a huge self esteem builder and a great thing to do.
