Becky Fisher, Owner/Founder of Little Apple Arts

10/24/2021 6:40 pm

Driving around Maplewood, you may come across an interesting sight: groups of kids singing and dancing on driveways and front lawns. This is the genius of Becky Fisher, who started Little Apple Arts after her day job on Broadway got temporarily shut down due to the pandemic. 

Becky was in the NYC production of Come From Away when everything went into lockdown, but the Tuscan parent says that the spirit of the show, which is about helping others and using kindness, will stay with her forever and got her thinking about what she could do next. 

“It drives me every day to think of what we can do for each other just by being good friends and neighbors,” she says. 

And spread the love she did. Drawing on her own love of musical theatre, coupled with 20 years of experience as a professional actress, she set up Little Apple Arts, a musical theatre program aimed at elementary school-aged children in SOMA. 

At first, she had to get creative with how to set it up. Once it was deemed ok by the CDC to have gatherings of people, maintaining social distancing, and with masks on, she realized that holding the classes outdoors would work just fine. “Once I realized that it would be ok to be outdoors and masked, I thought to myself ‘If we can sing, dance, act and play and do it outdoors, then what a great way to get the kids together outside in the fresh air for some fun.’ I was inspired to spread the love,” she says. 

The vision has been a huge success. Her first session had 90 kids and 17 classes, which she mostly taught herself. Since then, Little Apple Arts has reached over 300 kids, most of whom have stuck with the program since the start. She teamed up with her friend (fellow Broadway actor and NJ mom) Paige Faure who teaches and choreographs, and as SOMA interest expanded, so did the team. Broadway conductor/Music Director Garrett Taylor and other NJ Broadway moms, Kathy Voytko and Megan McGinnis were also brought on board. “It has been such a great way to use our skills and our passion to share what we love while Broadway was shut down,” Becky says. “I am lucky to have a team of such wonderful human beings as well as talented artists.” 

The classes were held on the chilliest of winter days, on the most sweltering summer afternoons, and everything in between. The classes have gained so much popularity within our community that her next session of Backyard Theatre, which launches on November 8, is already sold out. 

She created summer camp sessions, which saw 5-12 year olds create mad lib musicals, sing summer hits and pay tribute to NYC. Her upcoming November camp will focus around The Nightmare Before Christmas – also sold out – and will encourage creativity in the kids who attend through acting and singing, dancing, crafting, and artistic expression. 

Most importantly, fun is at the heart of the purpose of Little Apple Arts.

“These kids have all gone through an extraordinary few years, and they have gained such independence. We want to keep the fun in their lives and encourage them to play and express themselves. ” she says. “This [Little Apple Arts] is fun with a purpose.” 

As we move closer to being indoors together again, Becky has once again adapted her program, and in addition to seeing singing and dancing children on driveways and in front yards, you may stroll past The Woodland and hear renditions of ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ or St George’s Church and notice quite a lot of fun happening in Parish Hall. There is still the option to have outdoor classes, but the transition into indoor spaces means the program can continue to grow and include more kids. “The backyard classes are such a wonderful way to create with friends and I am thankful we can offer a covid-safe way to play. We also want to bring kids together to meet new friends so, with kids back in school, we are slowly transitioning to multiple ways to play!” 

Interested to find out more? You can check out the website: www.littleapplearts.com; follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/littleappleartstheatre; or check out them out on Instagram: www.instagram.com/littleappleartstheatre. 

As for when Becky is going to launch adult classes? She laughs and says that we’ll have to wait for now while our kids have all the fun!

*Photos by Live Love Lens Photography