About
Riverdale Children’s Theatre offers full scale musical theatre productions along with music and dance programs. The program distributes thousands of dollars in scholarship each year so that any child can have access to its arts program. Riverdale Children’s Theatre has a stated Commitment to Kindness with rules: Be Kind to Ourselves, Be Kind to Each Other, Be Kind to Our Space.
Riverdale Children’s Theatre was founded in 2010 by Derek and Becky Woods and has evolved into a 501(c)3 theatre arts education program. Its mission states that by participating in a full scale theatrical production, children learn the basic elements of theatre, music and dance, while pushing their own creative and physical boundaries. The mission also states that the performing arts stimulate children emotionally and intellectually, raise self esteem, emphasize teamwork, foster a strong sense of community, and enrich families by providing an opportunity for parents to be a part of their children's growth in a fun and creative way.
The program brings together children from various religious and cultural backgrounds to learn about themselves, each other and the joy of performing, and it serves families in the Bronx, Yonkers and beyond. Riverdale Children’s Theatre states that it is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all children, staff, volunteers, and audience members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias. Its programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and Con Edison is a sponsor of the Legacy Robe Celebration 26. Riverdale Children’s Theatre was honored as 2022 Torchbearers by the Sri Chinmoy Peace Run in Queens.
Riverdale Children’s Theatre has been cited in Backstage Magazine as one of the leading children’s theatre companies in the United States and was recognized by Backstage Magazine in November 2014 as one of 12 children’s theatre companies in the country. CNN recognized Riverdale Children’s Theatre in September 2021 as a 2021 Champion for Change, and it has been recognized nationally and internationally as a Champion For Change. Riverdale Children’s Theatre has the distinction of being one of only four official pilot programs in the country recognized by Music Theatre International, helping to workshop new shows and scripts to bring them to new audiences. It is one of the first theatre companies to premiere Junior versions of multiple shows including Disney’s Little Mermaid, Disney’s Finding Nemo, Disney’s Aladdin, Dreamworks Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, Dreamworks Shrek the Musical, Children of Eden, Hairspray, Matilda, Mean Girls, Broadway Junior Revue: Pure Imagination, and Beetlejuice the Musical.
Over 95% of Riverdale Children’s Theatre students are accepted into competitive NYC Performing Arts High Schools, and many students go on to professional careers and attend top performing arts colleges and universities. RCT alumni and “When They See Us” star Jharrel Jerome won an Emmy for Best Actor for Limited Series or Movie.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
Riverdale Children’s Theatre was founded in 2010 by Derek and Becky Woods and has evolved into a 501(c)3 theatre arts education program. Its mission states that by participating in a full scale theatrical production, children learn the basic elements of theatre, music and dance, while pushing their own creative and physical boundaries. The mission also states that the performing arts stimulate children emotionally and intellectually, raise self esteem, emphasize teamwork, foster a strong sense of community, and enrich families by providing an opportunity for parents to be a part of their children's growth in a fun and creative way.
The program brings together children from various religious and cultural backgrounds to learn about themselves, each other and the joy of performing, and it serves families in the Bronx, Yonkers and beyond. Riverdale Children’s Theatre states that it is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all children, staff, volunteers, and audience members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias. Its programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and Con Edison is a sponsor of the Legacy Robe Celebration 26. Riverdale Children’s Theatre was honored as 2022 Torchbearers by the Sri Chinmoy Peace Run in Queens.
Riverdale Children’s Theatre has been cited in Backstage Magazine as one of the leading children’s theatre companies in the United States and was recognized by Backstage Magazine in November 2014 as one of 12 children’s theatre companies in the country. CNN recognized Riverdale Children’s Theatre in September 2021 as a 2021 Champion for Change, and it has been recognized nationally and internationally as a Champion For Change. Riverdale Children’s Theatre has the distinction of being one of only four official pilot programs in the country recognized by Music Theatre International, helping to workshop new shows and scripts to bring them to new audiences. It is one of the first theatre companies to premiere Junior versions of multiple shows including Disney’s Little Mermaid, Disney’s Finding Nemo, Disney’s Aladdin, Dreamworks Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, Dreamworks Shrek the Musical, Children of Eden, Hairspray, Matilda, Mean Girls, Broadway Junior Revue: Pure Imagination, and Beetlejuice the Musical.
Over 95% of Riverdale Children’s Theatre students are accepted into competitive NYC Performing Arts High Schools, and many students go on to professional careers and attend top performing arts colleges and universities. RCT alumni and “When They See Us” star Jharrel Jerome won an Emmy for Best Actor for Limited Series or Movie.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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