Founded in 1979 and established as a non-profit organization under the IRS 501(C)(3) code in 1983, Westco’s mission is to provide a full range of performing arts activities/programs including, but not limited to, theatrical and musical presentations, workshops, and outreach programs.

Primary program activities include the presentation of musical adaptations of children’s classic fairytales, folktales, legends and curriculum-based productions as well as Broadway musicals, comedies, dramas and a Gold Star Concert Series featuring world renowned artists. Westco presented its shows at venues such as the Rochambeau Theater in White Plains, the Westchester County Center in White Plains, the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford, the Irvington Town Hall Theater, The Music Hall in Tarrytown, the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, and the Antrim Playhouse in Suffern. Creative theater workshops for children and young adults are also offered. Westco reached a cumulative audience of more than 725,000 during its first 32 years, and serves audiences of 30,000 to 40,000 per year.

This series offers one-hour musical adaptations of children’s classic literature including fairytales, folktales and legends as well as original curriculum-based productions appropriate for children ages 3 - 8. Performed by professional actors, the productions introduce young children to the theater on a level understandable and enjoyable to them. School groups are encouraged to attend as many of the productions are based on themes and authors utilized as part of the school curriculum.

Following the performances, the audience members can meet the cast, take pictures, get autographs and, for some productions, a question & answer period is offered. Productions are held at the Rochambeau Theater in White Plains, the Irvington Town Hall Theater, and the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford.

GOLD STAR CONCERTS

Westco's concert series features artists whose talents are well known to the public. Performers have included Judy Collins, Livingston Taylor, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, Gary Puckett, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Association, Jefferson Starship, Vanilla Fudge, The New Christy Minstrels,

The Kingston Trio, The Fifth Dimension, The Grass Roots, The Lettermen, Tom Constanten of

The Grateful Dead, The Turtles with Flo & Eddie, and Felix Cavaliere's New Rascals.   

CREATIVE THEATER WORKSHOPS

Westco has offered musical theater workshops for children ages six through young adult, introducing them to the performing arts. These workshops help to develop self-esteem and camaraderie and brings out the full potential in the youngsters that participate. All workshop sessions culminated in a performance for family, friends and the general public.

* Magic To Do Players - This workshop is for children ages nine through young adult who have developmental disabilities. It is a full theater arts program offering instruction in dancing, singing, improvisation, speaking and acting skills. There are two sessions each lasting 12 weeks in both the fall and spring. Visit our web page “SPECIAL WORKSHOPS” for details.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

* Tickets For Tots - Tickets For Tots was established in 2000. This program makes it possible for young children from low-income households to attend our productions at no charge. Our target audience consists of children ages 3-8 enrolled in Head Start programs in more than a dozen child care agencies in Westchester as well as children in public schools which are under the Federal government's Title I program. Since its inception, this program has continued to grow, and currently serves more than 2,500 children each year.

* Page To Stage Musical Theater/Literacy Assistance Program - This after-school workshop is offered to children ages 7-14 from low-income families in the White Plains community. Besides introducing them to the performing arts and providing a cultural experience for them by rehearsing to put on a show, the children use the scripts as vehicles to improve their literacy skills and reading abilities. The workshop is held in early Spring and lasts for 10 weeks.

* Bedside Buddies - This program brings costumed storybook characters to bedridden terminally-ill, critically-ill and chronically-ill children in hospitals, as well as children with physical and mental disabilities attending specialized schools. Westco visits more than 7,500 children in 15 different facilities in the New York metropolitan region throughout the year.

* Healing Walls - A muralist creates amazing scenes on the walls of patient rooms, playrooms and other areas to create a peaceful, calming, healing atmosphere in hospitals and critical care facilities. The donor’s name is painted on the wall as part of the scene.

* Seymour "Sonny" Katz Scholarship Fund -  Established in honor of founding Westco Board member Seymour Katz, this fund provides financial assistance to selected graduating high school students from White Plains (Westco's base of operations) and Port Chester (Mr. Katz's birthplace) who wish to major in college in the performing arts.