Another night, another practice.
Laughter trails through the rooms of Bas Melech as costumed girls run about touch-up their outfits. We are getting ready for a routine run-through in preparation for our December production of Annie. Aviva Cohen, our director, calls us together, and we begin.
How did I get here? Let me back up.
After leaving Bais Yaakov, I never thought I would find myself in a “production” involving young women of the community. But thanks to RINA, a new organization founded by Rivka Rubenstein and Rochel Ziman, I got my chance. It all started in the summer, when I saw an ad in the WWW about auditions for the play. I wasn’t sure how I felt about trying out. I was nervous, and I had never actually seen Annie (I know, I know). But I heard the buzz in Baltimore, and eventually several people close to me convinced me to go for it.
For the dedicated team behind the show, the process started much earlier. After the smashing success of Newsies in 2015, Rivka and Rochel realized that putting on a play for Baltimore couldn’t be a one-time thing. They formed RINA, partnered with Elite, and set out to continue bringing quality productions to our community.
When I got to the audition I was nervous, reviewed my lines and practiced my inflection, not paying mind to the groups of girls who sat around outside the Bnos classrooms doing the same. I just wanted to get it over with. Yes, I have stage fright. They called me in for my turn, and that was the first time I realized that RINA means business. There was a panel sitting at desks watching me, waiting for me to show them what I’ve got. A few weeks later, I received an email with the casting decision. I received the part of Henry Morgenthau.
While some, like me, found out about the play from one of the many ads in local papers, many others said they were referred by a friend, or they knew about it because of their involvement with the Newsies production.
Adina Kramer (orphan/Bert Healy) was one of the latter. She had a fantastic experience in Newsies, adding, “I knew that if this play was anything like the last one, it would be great and I should definitely join.” Her cast mates in Newsies, Shira Zoimen (Cecile) and Yael Goldstein (Rooster), concurred.
On the other hand, Chana Bernstein (Ms. Hannigan), who also works hard as our props and costumes manager, had missed out on Newsies. “I hoped there would be another play,” the Philly native told me. “I love to act, sing, and dance, and hadn’t had an opportunity to do so in Baltimore until now.”
For others, the play posed an opportunity for a creative outlet and a way to spend time with peers and make new friends. Henny Greenhaus (Tessie) noted, “I wanted an opportunity to get back on stage! I watched my school’s high school production last year,” she added wistfully, “and I was so jealous watching everyone perform.”
Our cast includes a very talented group of ladies, some of whom have had serious professional training, while others, like me, are rank amateurs. Chana Bernstein, for example, has taken private vocal lessons and sings opera, Broadway, and jazz. Nechama Eventsur (Grace Farrel) has trained with Ratzon and with Elana Tal; Adina Kramer performed with Shira Girls Choir. Our star and musical director, Ayala Pheterson (Annie), has taken voice lessons with Mrs. Shazy King and Malky Giniger as well as taught alongside Malky in the Ratzon Music Program in New York. Shira Zoimen was actually Ayala’s student in Ratzon! Musical training isn’t the only professional training that our cast has under its belt. Yaeli Korobkin (July/dancer) did productions with the Dance Academy of Baltimore.
Somehow, despite differences in the level of training and experience, our cast is an illustration of the truism, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” That is the beauty of what RINA has accomplished for our community.
* * *
School and work easily consume much of a young woman’s time. Having a reason to express our creativity, spend time with our peers, and have fun is something that we all need. The social outlet is definitely a plus for the whole cast, but there’s something unique about this group. “You have the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and connect with people you might never know otherwise. These people become your family over these few months,” Shira Zoimen said.
I asked Rochel Ziman how she felt about bringing together our talented assembly. She replied, “We are proud that our cast is so diverse. We have young women of all ages who come from different Orthodox backgrounds working together to put on a fantastic play.”
As members of the cast, we have learned much. Daniella Last, Adina Kramer, and Nechama Eventsur were all surprised and pleased to find that they possess dancing ability. Yaeli Korobkin said that she discovered new ability in her vocal range. And, in addition to revelations about their creative talents, members of the cast grew in understanding about responsibility and organization. ““I never realized just how much hard work goes into a play and making everything run as smoothly as possible,” Yael Goldstein told me. Indeed, much hard work is going into this production. Behind the scenes, Rivka and Rochel spend hours making phone calls, sending emails, and discussing details with Aviva Rockwood, the assistant producer; Dina Wealcatch, the choreographer; Chana Bernstein (props and costumes); and Ayala Pheterson, music producer.
Ayala, along with Chemdi Romer, prerecorded the tracks for each musical number. Most of the recording was done at Sara Strobel’s Wavefront Studio. Ayala has spent hours figuring out the melodies and harmonies to teach to the cast.
Chana spent countless hours scouring thrift shops and tracking down the costumes and props that would fit each character and scene. Dina has done a masterful job of creating each dance number and helping each girl learn the steps. Aviva Cohen attends every run-through and knows how to tweak a scene to bring out its best potential. Rivka, Rochel, and Aviva work tirelessly to make sure everything runs smoothly. They got us two great locations to practice in, Bas Melech and Darchei Noam, and they are making all of this possible.
The proceeds of the play will go to tzedaka organizations in the community. Knowing this gives an even greater purpose to our hard work as we practice and practice to make our play spectacular. It’s been challenging as we need to hone in on all the fine details. We are very grateful to have the support of Elite.
I asked Rochel if she could describe the ways in which she has found this production to be a personally fulfilling experience. She said, “Theater and acting have always been my passion. I feel honored to be using my leadership and organizational skills to bring Baltimore a higher caliber performance. I am excited for the women in our community to see the level of talent our cast has to offer. This will be an event no one will forget! Tickets are selling fast, and I encourage all women and children to purchase tickets as soon as possible.”
When I asked Nechama Eventsur if she’ll be doing this again, and if she would encourage others to do it in the future, she excitedly replied, “Yes, yes, yes! It is an amazing experience!”
For Motzei Shabbos tickets, please call or text Chana at 443-803-5582 and for Sunday tickets, please call or text Rochie at 443-929-1525. For sponsorship or ads in the playbill please email rinatheater@gmail.com.
All about Annie
Another night, another practice.
Laughter trails through the rooms of Bas Melech as costumed girls run about touch-up their outfits. We are getting ready for a routine run-through in preparation for our December production of Annie. Aviva Cohen, our director, calls us together, and we begin.
How did I get here? Let me back up.
After leaving Bais Yaakov, I never thought I would find myself in a “production” involving young women of the community. But thanks to RINA, a new organization founded by Rivka Rubenstein and Rochel Ziman, I got my chance. It all started in the summer, when I saw an ad in the WWW about auditions for the play. I wasn’t sure how I felt about trying out. I was nervous, and I had never actually seen Annie (I know, I know). But I heard the buzz in Baltimore, and eventually several people close to me convinced me to go for it.
For the dedicated team behind the show, the process started much earlier. After the smashing success of Newsies in 2015, Rivka and Rochel realized that putting on a play for Baltimore couldn’t be a one-time thing. They formed RINA, partnered with Elite, and set out to continue bringing quality productions to our community.
When I got to the audition I was nervous, reviewed my lines and practiced my inflection, not paying mind to the groups of girls who sat around outside the Bnos classrooms doing the same. I just wanted to get it over with. Yes, I have stage fright. They called me in for my turn, and that was the first time I realized that RINA means business. There was a panel sitting at desks watching me, waiting for me to show them what I’ve got. A few weeks later, I received an email with the casting decision. I received the part of Henry Morgenthau.
While some, like me, found out about the play from one of the many ads in local papers, many others said they were referred by a friend, or they knew about it because of their involvement with the Newsies production.
Adina Kramer (orphan/Bert Healy) was one of the latter. She had a fantastic experience in Newsies, adding, “I knew that if this play was anything like the last one, it would be great and I should definitely join.” Her cast mates in Newsies, Shira Zoimen (Cecile) and Yael Goldstein (Rooster), concurred.
On the other hand, Chana Bernstein (Ms. Hannigan), who also works hard as our props and costumes manager, had missed out on Newsies. “I hoped there would be another play,” the Philly native told me. “I love to act, sing, and dance, and hadn’t had an opportunity to do so in Baltimore until now.”
For others, the play posed an opportunity for a creative outlet and a way to spend time with peers and make new friends. Henny Greenhaus (Tessie) noted, “I wanted an opportunity to get back on stage! I watched my school’s high school production last year,” she added wistfully, “and I was so jealous watching everyone perform.”
Our cast includes a very talented group of ladies, some of whom have had serious professional training, while others, like me, are rank amateurs. Chana Bernstein, for example, has taken private vocal lessons and sings opera, Broadway, and jazz. Nechama Eventsur (Grace Farrel) has trained with Ratzon and with Elana Tal; Adina Kramer performed with Shira Girls Choir. Our star and musical director, Ayala Pheterson (Annie), has taken voice lessons with Mrs. Shazy King and Malky Giniger as well as taught alongside Malky in the Ratzon Music Program in New York. Shira Zoimen was actually Ayala’s student in Ratzon! Musical training isn’t the only professional training that our cast has under its belt. Yaeli Korobkin (July/dancer) did productions with the Dance Academy of Baltimore.
Somehow, despite differences in the level of training and experience, our cast is an illustration of the truism, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” That is the beauty of what RINA has accomplished for our community.
* * *
School and work easily consume much of a young woman’s time. Having a reason to express our creativity, spend time with our peers, and have fun is something that we all need. The social outlet is definitely a plus for the whole cast, but there’s something unique about this group. “You have the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and connect with people you might never know otherwise. These people become your family over these few months,” Shira Zoimen said.
I asked Rochel Ziman how she felt about bringing together our talented assembly. She replied, “We are proud that our cast is so diverse. We have young women of all ages who come from different Orthodox backgrounds working together to put on a fantastic play.”
As members of the cast, we have learned much. Daniella Last, Adina Kramer, and Nechama Eventsur were all surprised and pleased to find that they possess dancing ability. Yaeli Korobkin said that she discovered new ability in her vocal range. And, in addition to revelations about their creative talents, members of the cast grew in understanding about responsibility and organization. ““I never realized just how much hard work goes into a play and making everything run as smoothly as possible,” Yael Goldstein told me. Indeed, much hard work is going into this production. Behind the scenes, Rivka and Rochel spend hours making phone calls, sending emails, and discussing details with Aviva Rockwood, the assistant producer; Dina Wealcatch, the choreographer; Chana Bernstein (props and costumes); and Ayala Pheterson, music producer.
Ayala, along with Chemdi Romer, prerecorded the tracks for each musical number. Most of the recording was done at Sara Strobel’s Wavefront Studio. Ayala has spent hours figuring out the melodies and harmonies to teach to the cast.
Chana spent countless hours scouring thrift shops and tracking down the costumes and props that would fit each character and scene. Dina has done a masterful job of creating each dance number and helping each girl learn the steps. Aviva Cohen attends every run-through and knows how to tweak a scene to bring out its best potential. Rivka, Rochel, and Aviva work tirelessly to make sure everything runs smoothly. They got us two great locations to practice in, Bas Melech and Darchei Noam, and they are making all of this possible.
The proceeds of the play will go to tzedaka organizations in the community. Knowing this gives an even greater purpose to our hard work as we practice and practice to make our play spectacular. It’s been challenging as we need to hone in on all the fine details. We are very grateful to have the support of Elite.
I asked Rochel if she could describe the ways in which she has found this production to be a personally fulfilling experience. She said, “Theater and acting have always been my passion. I feel honored to be using my leadership and organizational skills to bring Baltimore a higher caliber performance. I am excited for the women in our community to see the level of talent our cast has to offer. This will be an event no one will forget! Tickets are selling fast, and I encourage all women and children to purchase tickets as soon as possible.”
When I asked Nechama Eventsur if she’ll be doing this again, and if she would encourage others to do it in the future, she excitedly replied, “Yes, yes, yes! It is an amazing experience!”
For Motzei Shabbos tickets, please call or text Chana at 443-803-5582 and for Sunday tickets, please call or text Rochie at 443-929-1525. For sponsorship or ads in the playbill please email rinatheater@gmail.com.
