Know Your Neighbor: John Fanelli, Youth Theater Educator

John Fanelli fell in love with the theater during his senior year in high school. In his baseball cleats, the Dobbs Ferry native auditioned for that year’s senior musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” without a bit of acting experience or training.

It wasn’t that big of a deal at the time, since most of the upperclassmen tried out for a part or were somehow involved in the annual production. It was just a way to have fun.

To Fanelli’s amazement, he snagged the role of Conrad Birdie and his life’s direction would be drastically altered.

“I was like, ‘Really, are you sure?’” Fanelli remembered of his reaction. “And I’ve been in a show or directed a show ever since.”

For the last 25 years, since Fanelli, 47, graduated from UC-San Diego with a degree in theater arts, he has been involved in the performing arts, most of it teaching, directing and inspiring children and teenagers. In 2007, he and his wife, Nannette, opened Lighthouse Youth Theatre, which offers acting classes and works towards full productions for children three to 18 years old.

Most recently, Fanelli last year was named theater manager of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. As part of his mission toward encouraging theater education, this fall three workshops for youngsters will be offered, including a free open house on Saturday, Oct. 6 where parents and children will learn about opportunities at the venue. Fanelli will be bringing in some of his best instructors to lead the workshop.

Two formal two-hour workshops for young theater lovers will take on Oct. 15 and Nov. 26. The first will focus on the show “Wicked,” the second is a technique and audition prep workshop. Both will attract a pair of Broadway actors that Fanelli has developed through his connection to theater through the years, including a former student of his, Derek Klena.

While Fanelli has performed on stage, it’s the educational aspect of theater that kindles his passion.

“What I always say is performing arts education is the most important education you can give your child,” Fanelli said. “I mean that because it’s teaching teamwork, it’s teaching public speaking, it teaches confidence. If you can stand up in front of an audience of 400 to 500 people you can obviously write a book report, you can run for class president. It just gives you the kind of confidence that I have not seen in any other area of education or any other platform.”

Fanelli became increasingly attracted to theater education shortly after college. He worked as assistant director at the Metropolitan Educational Theatre Network, a statewide program in California that established youth theater programs from San Diego to San Francisco.

“As soon as I started teaching I realized this is more important to me than performing,” Fanelli said. “I love to teach.”

Following a decade there, Fanelli returned to New York and started a youth program at Westchester Broadway Theatre, then worked for a Manhattan-based outfit called Times Square Group for about a year, bringing performing arts programs into the New York City schools. However, he wasn’t doing much teaching.

About 12 years ago, he came home from work and told his wife that he needed to start his own company to do what he loves most. In 2007, he opened Lighthouse Youth Theatre in Thornwood where they remained for five years before moving to Armonk, where they now have a 6,000-square-foot space called Standing Ovation Studio.

In keeping with his focus on education, Lighthouse has been able to provide area youngsters with the skills to compete for roles in some of the finest musical theater auditions across the Unites States and to help them get accepted into top-notch performing arts colleges.

But you don’t have to be a budding star or protégé to participate.

“So it’s structured so everyone is welcome,” Fanelli said. “We want everyone to come and try it and find out what kind of talent you do have.”

The venture has also been a way share his passion for theater with his family. His wife runs the business side and their three children have developed a love of the performing arts. Of his two oldest, who are now in college, one is majoring in theater, the other in music.

“My kids have no fear and that’s good,” Fanelli said. “I want them all to be fearless.”

For more information on the upcoming workshops, visit www.chappaquapac.org. To learn more about Lighthouse Youth Theatre, visit www.standingovationstudios.org.