Meet Our Youth

​Oak 
Found a Second Home

 It is impossible to describe how grateful I am for the opportunities, friendships, and memories The Barn has given me. I remember joking with friends that The Barn was a second home due to the amount of time we would spend there. It's not a joke though, The Barn is and will always be a second home to me because of the community and family it provides. I wouldn't trade the moments I had there for anything.
     The earliest memories of The Barn are of the Daddy Daughter Dances, I remember feeling so magical at those dances. I know it's cheesy to say, but there is a certain magic that seemed to surround it when I was a kid.  I now know that magic is the result of hard work and a team of people who become family. I did my first Barn camp the summer going into 5th grade, it was a theater camp. I was a shy kid who was planning on going into orchestra that fall.  Entering that camp I couldn't have known how influential it would be to the rest of my life. The instructor of that camp gave me the confidence to start acting. I then started joining Barn productions and living there. I have many memories of long nights of rehearsal and eating pizza. I met some of my closest friends in those rehearsals. The team at The Barn was supportive as I transitioned into doing technical theater and less acting. They trusted me and allowed me to grow as I got the opportunity to be a lighting designer and operator.  Without this trust I wouldn't have gotten in my dream school, so thank you.
Oak Walker is currently a freshman at Emerson College and served as the Lighting Designer at The Barn for several years prior to graduation.

Lindsay
A Constant in My Life

     I think The Barn has probably seen more versions of me than any other place. Whether I was a sugar-high sixth grader at one of the iconic middle school dances, a salty high schoolers decked out in zombie-pirate garb as part of a haunted house, recovering from major surgery mid-summer and looking for somewhere air conditioned and safe to see my friends, or a college student home on break and working in the café or at a camp, The Barn has been a constant in my life.
     MadBarn Productions, The Barn’s theater portion, has seen more than enough of my colorful attempts at acting and singing. Although, I’ve never been the most musical person, the atmosphere of respect and teamwork that fills The Barn meant I never felt awkward or uncomfortable, and there was always space for me to participate.
     I’ve always been passionate about reading and writing, and am now working as a literary publicist and freelance writer. Over the years The Barn has been an ideal venue for exploration of these interests both in the more formal settings of its many specialized camps and workshops, and in the space it provided for me to connect with others who shared my interests. Like many kids along the Connecticut shoreline, I benefited immensely from these opportunities, and I know they helped nourish the confidence and skills I have today.
     The Barn has always been focused on creating a safe and welcoming space for all kids, no matter what their interests or family financial situation may be. There are few communities fortunate enough to benefit from the kind of dedication that The Barn’s director and staff show, and I feel so lucky to have had such a space in all the stages of my life.
​Lindsay Wallace is a 2020 graduate from Sarah Lawrence College and is currently a literary publicist and freelance writer.

Sarah​
​Focused on Her Future

     When I was a freshman in high school, all I knew was that I hated math and loved people. Try using that information to form a future career. When I found out that The Barn was creating a kid-run variety TV show called "Unfocused" through my art teacher, I immediately signed up, but thought of it more as a hobby. Little did I know I was learning skills that I now use every day.
      Before joining "Unfocused," I had never seriously considered following my passion for short films. I loved creating sketches and writing stories, but as a job it seemed out of reach. When I was given a leadership role on "Unfocused" as a Marketing Director, my confidence and curiosity grew. With the guidance of our show's supervisors, I was promoted to Director of the show, and learned so much from the experience. I was teaching kids film and how to use audio equipment, helping them write segments, and even editing the episodes using industry grade software. I was also doing much of the work of a producer: logistics, making connections, and building a team. During my year on the program I not only discovered my love of teaching, which I am now considering as a career path, but I also discovered the route I want to take in film: I am minoring in Producing for Film and Media. 
       My work with The Barn is a big part of what empowered me to follow my dream. What once felt unattainable is now the day-to-day of my studies. I will always be grateful to everyone there for allowing me to make mistakes, discoveries, and friends in the nurturing and fun environment that is The Barn.
      Sarah Conroy is a sophomore Film and Television student at the Savannah College of Art and Design who taught film at the Barn in 2020, and hopes to teach more.

Kassidy
A Fun, Happy Judgment Free Space

     The Barn was a second home for me from 2013-2015. My best friend and her family introduced me to The Barn and it is the BEST place on earth.  You find friends who love to do the same things as you, and they become your family. I am almost 21 years old and I will never forget what The Barn provided me - a fun, happy, caring place where judgment was absent and life long friends were made. The Barn will always have a special place in my heart!
​Kassidy Keirstead is currently a Sophomore at the University of Rhode Island.

Parents Love us too!

CONNIE ~Parent and Public School Teacher
     I am writing to share the experience our family has found with the Structured Study Hall program offered by the Madison Arts Barn.  As a teacher, I have been fortunate to have a schedule that has allowed me to use minimal childcare over the years. I never would have expected that I would be scrambling for care as my son began his first year of high school.
     As we both began this school year in hybrid models in different districts, we did the best we could, but it quickly became apparent that holding a new freshman responsible for distance learning without a trusted adult in proximity was not reasonable for our family. I was considering a leave of absence to support my son.  This would have left my students without their teacher and my district in need of a long-term substitute during a pandemic with a severe substitute teacher shortage.
     Our pediatrician mentioned the Arts Barn Program which accepts High School students!  This program has allowed my son to participate in distance learning with supportive adults close by and other students experiencing similar circumstances.  This program has allowed me to continue teaching my students while knowing my own child is in a safe, supportive place.  I have taken minimal leave time, as needed, which was much better for all involved.
     In a time of impossible circumstances, the Study Hall program has provided relief to a very challenging situation, especially when it comes to older students in need of a supportive place during distance learning. This program has greatly reduced the concern I have for my own child distance learning, which frees me to be fully present while teaching my students during those days.  We are so thankful for this program!

​Thank you for providing my child such a positive and creative place to grow and shine. You always go above and beyond to support our youth and community.  ~Vanessa V. (Mom of 5th grade girl -Madison) 
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Joan ~Parent and Volunteer

  I first got involved with the Barn when it was going through a transition.  I decided to join the Board of Directors.  I felt there was a need in the community for children and teens that needed a creative outlet.  Once elected to the Board of Selectmen, I served as a liaison to the Board. I have since become an on-demand volunteer, helping with sets and making milkshakes prior to COVID.  Over the years I have seen the Barn bring out the best in kids involved in their programs. 
     None more so than my youngest, Oak Walker.  Oak found the support and encouragement for their creative talents.  Oak started on stage as a timid actor at one of the Barn’s summer programs.  The acting bug bit for a while as Oak pursued on stage roles at both the Barn and DHHS. But Oak soon realized lighting design was a passion that they wanted to follow.  The Barn encouraged Oak and gave them an opportunity to hone their skills and develop a confidence that eventually lead to going to college for Theatre Arts at Emerson.  I am confident that without the Barn, Oak’s path would have been very different. 
​     This may not be the typical story of kids involved at the Barn – leading to pursuing education and a career in Theatre.  It was typical in that kids are supported to try new things, work as a team with other members of the cast and crew and develop confidence in themselves for a job well done.  It is all done under the guidance and support of caring adults who want to provide a safe environment for kids to explore and encourage their creative side. 
​ The Barn is an invaluable part of our community and I am honored to have been associated with it.

​The Barn giving a scholarship to my son when we didn't have the money changed his entire childhood for the better. ~Alison L. Mom of 9th grade boy - Branford

 "​I am a father of a 9 year old camper who participated in the theatre and art camp this summer.  My daughter is shy but felt welcomed by the staff and other children at this camp.  The program was well suited to my creative child.  There is a good mix of production-based work and fun and games.  She came home happy each day but not too tired to take part in other activities"

"My kiddo attended the Stand Up Comedy Workshop.  He ate it up - really was able to "find the funny" in every day situations as the instructor explained - and made a truly funny stand-up bit.  I'm sure he'll put this new skill into action at school!"  ~ Mom of a budding stand-up comic.  

Amy ~Parent and Program Coordinator

  It seems like just yesterday that I was bringing my then 5th grader into our first meeting about The Barn's annual Haunted House Event. It was then that we discovered something we didn't even know we were looking for. Violet had struggled to find friends who were comfortable with her outgoing personality and love of being under a spotlight, and I needed a creative outlet where I could be myself and not feel judged. Over the years, my participation has increased to becoming the programming director here and after being in almost EVERY production we've had, my daughter has moved onto college, but both of us will always have the time we spent together, the friendships, and the memories that were made. I cannot wait to see what the future brings for all of us here at The Barn and am looking forward to working with all of the kids and their families throughout the years to come!