Testimonials
All we can say is we fell in love with PV last summer during Hairspray and fell in love all over again this summer with The Drowsy Chaperone!!
Luciano( Aldolpho) made sure not to miss one Rehearsal all of July. He would update me every night on the 15 min drive home. He has not had one bad thing to say about anyone or anything. He just loves your summer program so much. He says all the staff is so dedicated and professional and wish he can have more of that passion at his own High School. So Looch is a fan for life and always recommends it to his friends that love theatre as much as him. Thank you for sparking the fire for him to continue on this Theatre Journey starting Junior year. He walked away again learning and growing as a performer and will use all these skills moving forward. Most of all the PV kids are all so welcoming and kind and for that he is very grateful.
Thank you again for a fun and memorable summer!
Andrea Guidetti and Family
My daughter is a three-year veteran with PVST Jr., and year after year, the middle a school production blows me away! Mike & Catherine DeLuccia are dedicated to this company of young thespians, and it shows! These kids work so hard for weeks, and the end result is always a top-notch musical!
Closing night is always accompanied by tears because my daughter doesn’t want to say goodbye to her cast mates.
PVST doesn’t just foster a love of the arts for young performers in our community; it fosters a community among young lovers of the arts!
-Michelle Parkerton
Our daughter Natalie has been involved with the Passaic Valley Summer Theater Program since 2019. Her first summer with PVST really sparked her love for musical theater. That first year with PVST also solidified her decision to attend Passaic Valley High School to take part in their tremendous performing arts programs.Through PVST she has made many meaningful connections and friends with children from all over Northern NJ who share the same love for the performing arts.The PVST directors and staff truly care about the program and inspire the kids to perform their best. The productions are top notch and always leave us in awe. Friends and family who have attended PVST shows over the years have commented on how professional the productions are and how great the kids are during the performances.Being a part of the PVST program has been a blessing for Natalie and we are excited that our daughter Sarah began participating with PVST this summer!Keep up the great work.-Leonard and Christina Santiago
PVST Has been my family since day one it has shown me that I want to take my acting to the next level to experience the main stage shows the future And all the memories I create with others It's a lovely experience to others especially me being a part of the Drowsy chaperone And Hairspray I thank The directors and the producer for this amazing production- Alejandro
I wanted to express my gratitude for the wonderful experience my daughter, Paige, and I had in the PV junior summer theatre program. The DeLuccias & Ms Shue did an amazing job. Their passion is evident in their thoughtful planning, communication and commitment to this gem of a program available to the future hornets of Passaic Valley. Paige grew so much this summer because she was provided a safe, creative environment to thrive. As a rising 5th grader, this is her first of hopefully many more shows to come.
With great appreciation,
Caitlyn Giannino
PVST is an amazing program that brings together teens who share a love performing arts. They not only put on an incredible show, but they build long lasting friendships. I think it’s really important for teens to find a group of peers who are likeminded. It gives them a safe space to feel comfortable and confident in being themselves. They have many opportunities to work with Broadway choreographers and actors who help them prepare for their show. They also gave the insight and guidance from a professional standpoint.
From my own experience, this is my son’s second year in this program. Last year, PVST casted him as one of the lead roles in Hairspray. Although he’s been singing and performing from a young age, this was only his second time in a musical. That experience really ignited a new passion in him. He stepped outside his comfort zone and really excelled in that role. He was challenged and encouraged, and that’s what helped him bring that character to life in his own way. This year, he also got a big role where he not only had to sing and act, but he also had to tap dance. Before that, he had never taken dance lessons or even worn tap shoes. In just over a month, he learned a choreographed number that he confidently performed. Seeing him on stage, singing, acting, and tap dancing, left me in tears. I was so impressed with his newfound talent. PVST believed in him, and that made him believe in himself.
They’re also very willing to help in any way they can to make sure the student can participate. For example, we live pretty far from Passaic, and my work schedule didn’t always align with the practice schedule. My son was called for an early afternoon rehearsal, and I had no way of getting him there. Without hesitation, one of the staff members went out of their way to pick him up to make sure he made it. That alone is a testament to this program and how much the people who run it care about their students.
I’m so grateful for PVST and everything it’s brought out of my son.
I had the opportunity to experience Passaic Valley Summer Theater my junior year, a true glimpse of Broadway in my eyes. Never did I imagine I’d get to work with incredible actors like Jelani Remy, Jess LeProtto, and Matt Wiercinski. Even the alumni were truly talented people.
The environment, productions, and support for the youth here are truly remarkable. I honestly wish I could do Hairspray with them all over again.
No matter your experience level in theater, PVHS has a program of gold. It has set my standards for production and for what an artist’s space should be. I may not know exactly what my future holds, but I know that whatever I accomplish will be built upon the foundation PV Summer Theater gave me.
To the choreographers, music directors, makeup artists, live band, stage crew, and my castmates — thank you wholeheartedly
“PVST not only educated us on how to tell the story, they taught us how to take a story and learn through our characters. They reminded our cast to measure our lives in love. They put on a beautiful show and created a family in the process. They are an amazing group of people and gave me a summer I will never forget” -- Sara B.