Sparkle lights up the Mile

Passion for the arts doesn’t always pay, but for Robyn Workman, her daughter Stefanie, and their supporters, passion has finally paid off. 

For years, they have discussed their dream of a permanent home for Sparkle on Stage, Inc., the youth theater group founded by Freeport native Workman years ago. In May, they moved into 195 Woodcleft Avenue and fixed it up to have an internal theater with dressing rooms and rehearsal space. 

In fact, the space will be more than just a home for Sparkle. On July 6, friends and local officials gathered at the official ribbon-cutting to christen the space the Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center. 

“Everybody came,” said Robyn, the organization’s founder and director. “We had a nice spread for breakfast. Everybody presented us with a citation or had something really lovely to say. Mr. Al Grover Sr. was here with his wife, Arti.”

The Grovers, who founded Al Grover’s High and Dry Marina 70 years ago, when Al Sr. was 26 years old, are the owners of 195 Woodcleft Avenue and other locations on the Nautical Mile. 

“The entire Grover family has been so supportive,” Robyn Workman said. “I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive landlord.”

The Workmans moved into their new business space with a schedule and a plan. 

“We’ve got something for everyone,” said Robyn, “programs for adults, for kids, classes, activities. We’re usually here from noon to 7 p.m., seven days a week. For event times or class times, people should go to the website (SparkleOnStage.org). Jazz night is every Wednesday. We have story time this Sunday.”

Chuk Fowler, a jazz musician renowned on Long Island, will appear with his Chuk Fowler Trio on Wednesdays throughout the summer. He provided background music during breakfast prior to the ribbon cutting while attendees munched mini-muffins and bagels from Mannino’s.

The ribbon-cutting itself gave the mother-daughter Workman team a condensed, encouraging summary of how strong their community support is. 

“Vicki [Dinielli] talked about how passionate I am, and if passion means success, then we will be very successful here. That was a lovely thing to say,” remembered Robyn in a post-ribbon-cutting interview. “We got certificates of recognition from Kevan Abrahams, from Judy Griffin, a citation from Debbie Mulé, a beautiful proclamation from Sen. John E. Brooks. We got a citation from Steve Rhoads, one from the Chamber of Commerce, a certificate of recognition from the entire Town of Hempstead Supervisor’s office, and then a giant, beautiful citation from the mayor.”

Robyn added, “I want to thank Monica Bennett from the Chamber of Commerce because she’s the one who really put out the information that we were having the ribbon-cutting.”

Stefanie Workman, 23, has big plans for the space, herself. 

“I have an LLC called Don’t Tell Amy productions,” she said. “We have a short play festival coming up. It’s about giving artists an outlet to tell stories creatively. We’re callin it the Draft One New Works Festival, focusing on short original plays.”

Stefanie knows her field. She has engaged a dramaturge to take part in the New Works Festival.

“The dramaturge on a production is someone who helps develop the piece, or provides historical and cultural background information on a piece and whatever affects it,” said Stefani. “They keep us on the right path when developing works. Theyu are the unsung heroes of new plays.”

Stefanie and her participants are pinning down the exact dates of the festival, which will occur near the end of August. 

“It will be done on the Jewel Box Stage in the Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center,” said Stefanie. “We’re going to have vendors in between the ten-minute plays, talkbacks — we want to give everyone a voice.”

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said at the ribbon-cutting, “I love that Sparkle on Stage is a mother-daughter partnership that welcomes people of all ages with exciting programs and classes. What a wonderful addition to the community!”

“Sparkle on Stage offers an array of wonderful opportunities for community members of all ages to nurture their talents, pursue their passions and immerse themselves in the creative arts,” Legislator Debra Mulé said. “I was delighted to be on hand to wish Robyn and Stephanie all the best as they embark upon their new venture.”