Garden Players Musical Theater For Kids

Looking for creative original musicals performed by kids? Want to see what our Garden Players musical theater kids have been rehearsing? Curious to see what we’re all about?

Original Music and Theater

High quality, creative original musicals performed by kids!

Our concerts and original musicals, inspired by Garden Players kids and premiered first right here in Forest Hills, have gone on to be published with over 2,000 performances in more than 65 countries. We have live and video on demand performances available, as well as shows that your school or theater group can license and perform.

Our History

For more than 100 years, Garden Players has inspired unforgettable memories in the Forest Hills community. Garden Players has been around since 1916. Since 2002, under the direction of Betina Hershey, children have taken the spotlight with the chance to inspire and participate in the development of original musicals that have gone on to be published with over 2,000 performances in more than 65 countries.

Theater Classes Inspire Confidence and Creativity

Young creatives are guided towards their full potential by the enthusiasm and know-how of professional performers and musicians. Your child can become a skilled and innovative performing artist, a cultured arts lover, learn the benefits of practice, develop a sense of grit, and experience the joy of finding self worth. Don’t leave your creative child to flounder. Say yes to a braver future with fellow artists! No previous acting or singing experience required. Giggling guaranteed!

“Why Theater? Theater arts are vital for self expression, enrichment, and brain development.”

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Clients Testimonial

Bompart Productions

The Garden Players is a phenomenal group, led under the visionary direction of Betina Hershey and her equally talented colleagues. Mrs. Hershey is musically prolific and directs the crew of actors for musical theater shows under a focused and attentive eye. She trains the actors in speech, voice, blocking, and background theater...

Laura W

The team led by Betina Hershey in this fabulous local theater troupe is unflappable. They go above and beyond to make such beautiful shows that the kids are genuinely so happy to be a part of. They really learn what it’s like to act and all the things that go on behind the scenes. The method is very approachable and kind and friendly.

JP Freeley

I'm so happy that Garden Players is coming back to our neighborhood this Fall! Such a wonderful program which encourages kids to dig deep and express their talents, bravery, creativity and to find their voice amongst their peers! Cheers to Betina Hershey for fearlessly leading the way and forging ahead. Betina, the program's.

Alexis Pisciotta

This was my 12 year old daughter’s first big performance and my family’s first experience with Garden Players. We were so impressed with it all! The play, the music, the sets- everything. We attended both shows and what a treat it was. To see these kids get up there and do it was so amazing. In this day and age where everything is so.

Jian Lin

Starting with Garden Players to private lessons for school auditions, my daughter only has good memories of Garden Players and all the theater plays they put on. The environment was so warm and welcoming. She made a lot of friends! The skills she learned from the weekly theater rehearsals still stick with her today....

eileen arabian

The Garden Players is a true neighbor gem! Betina Hershey is one of a kind—patient, innovative, and talented. My three daughters studied with Betina and each have had such wonderful experiences. The classes are so fun and it’s so great to see the student’s confidence grow with each semester My one daughter graduated the program .

Eliana Castro

Love Garden Players Musical Theater!!! Amazing kids and Director/Teacher! Ms. Betina is the BEST!! I wish she would run classes year around with no breaks. My 4 and 10 year old love her way of teaching and they are excited to perform in a musical which is created by the children and director. We are extremely fortunate to have found this .

Lauren Timmons

My daughter began with Garden Players in first grade and in the three years since, I’ve seen her blossom in creativity and confidence! Ms. Bettina is such a warm, encouraging presence, and the kids have a blast. Since the classes went online due to the pandemic, Garden Players has been a lifeline that kept her connected, engaged, and inspired.

LORRAINE VARGAS

Words will never be enough to express the benefits that my daughter Lauren and I reaped from Garden Players Musical Theater for Kids. Betina is loving caring, professional, and most importantly fair. She always made sure to share roles evenly and coach her students to be the absolute best they could be. The final products were always.