Rosie’s Theater Kids

It isn’t the mountain ahead of you that will wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. ~ Muhammad Ali

Rosie’s Theater Kids (RTKids) is an arts education organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts. We serve students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience theater, positively changing the trajectory of their lives by providing comprehensive classes in music, dance and drama; thoughtful mentoring; and structured academic guidance.

TKids was launched in 2003 at PS 51, a Title 1 public school bordering on the theater district where students would walk by Broadway theaters daily, and never have the opportunity to go inside. Rosie noticed this, and thought it was, “…like living in Hawaii, and never having access to the beach.”

Together with Rosie, Artistic and Executive Director Lori Klinger developed PS Broadway – RTKids foundational program. In 2003, all 40 fifth graders at PS 51 participated in 15 weeks of singing and dancing training, and every single fifth grader went to see their first Broadway show – all free of charge.

Over the years since its debut, RTKids has blossomed into much more than simply a song and dance venue. The dedication and inspiration of its expert staff and generosity of its guest Broadway professionals have yielded truly remarkable results. Today, RTKids services include performing arts instruction, life skills development, academic tutoring, and a home-away-from-home environment that is safe and nurturing.

Our goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, build confidence, and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts.WHY ARTS EDUCATION

We’re passionate about growing kids’ skills for a bright future – building self-confidence, discipline, and poise that will serve them well in whatever their chosen careers may be.Valerie Norton, QBE Insurance; Secretary, RTKids Board of Directors

Song and dance are the sparks that light the way, but the lessons we teach go even further. RTKids is about transformation, helping our kids see bigger possibilities for themselves.

For many of our students, RTKids provides their first experience of personal accomplishment. By helping children develop their artistic talents and coaching them to strive for excellence, we teach them how to achieve – in the performing arts, in school, and ultimately in life.

The link between RTKids and New York City public schools is not accidental. We instill in our students the goals of a high school diploma and advanced education. And like a caring “stage mother,” RTKids provides for the whole child – be it subway fare, lunch, an academic tutor, or a standardized test coach.

With the confidence gained from RTKids and a quality education, our kids will be equipped to pursue any career.

Rosie’s Vision ~ A Work of Heart

or six years, Rosie O’Donnell served as host and executive producer of the critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning nationally syndicated talk/variety series The Rosie O’Donnell Show.

In her first season on the air, she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host. She continued her success for five consecutive seasons by winning Daytime Emmy’s for both Outstanding Talk Show Host and Outstanding Talk Show. Rosie was also seen on daytime television as moderator on the tenth season of ABC’s The View, and hosted the satellite radio show, Rosie Radio on SiriusXM. She returned to television hosting in the fall of 2011 with The Rosie Show on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network through spring 2012.

We’re passionate about growing kids’ skills for a bright future – building self-confidence, discipline, and poise that will serve them well in whatever their chosen careers may be.Valerie Norton, Broadridge Financial; Secretary, RTKids Board of Directors

Rosie made her dramatic television debut in CBS’s Hallmark Hall of Fame production, Riding the Bus with My Sister, and has made guest appearances on Will and Grace, All My Children, Suddenly Susan, Spin City, Sesame Street, The Nanny, The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nip/Tuck, Queer as Folk, Happily Divorced, Bomb Girls , and Showtime’s Web Therapy.

O’Donnell has also executive produced and hosted Stand Up Spotlight on VH1, and hosted Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards from 1997–2003. Rosie executive co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the 2009 Lifetime Original Film, America.

Rosie has also been involved in several HBO documentaries. She was the co-executive producer of Rosie’s Family Cruise, A Family Is a Family Is a Family: A Rosie O’Donnell Celebration, and “Don’t Divorce Me.” Learn more & continue reading »»»»»»

WE’VE IMPACTED THE LIVES OF OVER 20,000+ CCHILDREN

NEW MUNNIES ~ original hand-drawn Designs by Rosie

Which Mummy do you Love, SHOP HERE

Rosie O’Donnell was born Roseann O’Donnell in Commack, New York on March 21, 1962. After graduating high school, O’Donnell embarked on a comedy tour, resulting in content successful enough to win the television show, Star Search five times. In 1984, Rosie O’Donnell moved to Los Angeles with the prize money she won from Star Search, and scored her first role as the enigmatic Maggie O’Brien in NBC’s popular sitcom, Gimme a Break.