South Shore Theatre Experience
Deborah Cascio Plezia ~ Artistic Director
South Shore Theatre Experience
Deborah Cascio Plezia ~ Artistic Director
Mission Statement
Founded in 2009 to fill a void in children’s theatre workshop programs,
South Shore Theatre Experience is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to bring the joy and love of theatre to everyone through theatre classes & workshops, magic shows and our professional adult theatre company. We perform Broadway & Off-Broadway classics, as well as original works from local writers, for the community, both young and old. We are ardent in our desire to develop and foster learning workshops for children. We are committed to helping charities and organizations in our community with our programs, as our organization believes in "Paying it Forward". We try to do that in everything we do.
Life is Good!
~Debbie & Ted Plezia
Board of Directors
Deborah Cascio Plezia ~ Artistic Director
Ted Plezia ~ Executive Producer
Leslie Ippolito ~ Resident Musical Director
Martin Knapp ~ Associate Director
Christopher Hackert ~ Playwright in Residence
William Cherno ~ Barrister
Thaddeus C. Plezia ~ Theatre Coordinator
Deborah Cascio Plezia - Artistic Director
Deborah has been involved in theatre for over 45 years. She has designed, painted and built sets, run lighting & sound boards, managed props, stage managed, written for theatre, produced, directed, acted and has costumed at most theatres on Long Island. She has performed regionally and Off-Broadway and has starred in the world premieres of many shows as well as the Long Island premieres of such shows as "Breaking Legs" (Angie), "Spiked Heels" (Georgie), "Catholic School Girls" (Maria Theresa), "The Convertible Girl" (Christine), "Four Dogs and a Bone" (Brenda), "Love, Loss & What I Wore". "Wicked Sisters" (Meridee) and "Sylvia" in the title role to name a few. Favorite roles include "It Had to Be You" (Theda), "I Ought To Be in Pictures" (Steffie) and "The Pavilion" (Keri) (l with her husband, Ted), Born Yesterday (Billie) and "Steel Magnolias" (M'Lynn) ... She has also worked in TV, commercial print ads and narrated the Channel 21 Emmy award winning documentary "Let's Talk About Sex" hosted Gabrielle Cartaris. Besides teaching classes here at SSTE, she has worked as drama advisor/ director/ costumer in many area schools and was the Drama Advisor for West Babylon Junior High School and East Islip Middle School. She also started and ran a 5th grade theatre program within the school district that raised money for Senior Scholarships for over 8 years. Deborah also volunteered for many years with the Scholarship Committee for a local community theatre group and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as a counselor/ mentor. Deborah has studied acting with HB Studios, Stella Adler and Suffolk Community College. She also studied at The School of Visual Arts, NYC; Phil Black Dance, NYC; and Eglevsky Ballet. Deborah resides in West Babylon with her husband and has three grown children. On a personal note, over the years she and her husband have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting, learning and experiencing theatre from some of the best actors in NYC and on Long Island...In their 'Pay it Forward' attitude, they hope to provide low cost benefit performances and theatre experiences for children and adults...It is this passion that they hope to take into every show they do. Exciting the children into performing their best or doing a show for adults and bringing them into another world for just a little while. This is what gives them their greatest joy.... and they hope to share that with you....
Life is good! <3
Ted Plezia - Executive Producer
Ted has been involved in magic and theatre for over 40 years. He, also, has stage managed, designed sets, has written and produced for Long Island Theatre. He has starred in the Long Island premieres of "Greetings" (Mickey) and "Ragtime" (Willy Conklin) as well as world premiere plays such as Cruise to Switzerland. His "Storytime Magic" and "The Magic of Thaddeus" has been featured in Fios 1 , LI Parenting and Good Times magazines and he builds many of the illusions you see in his shows. He has performed to sell out crowds for years at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center with his family oriented original magic shows. He was a founding member of The Parlor of Mystery, Long Island's ONLY ongoing magic show for adults that new shows every month and performed with them regularly. He recently finished a very successful run of his new parlour show, Life's Little Mysteries. With Deborah, they operated "Partners in Crime", their own murder mystery company for private events and restaurants in the tri-state area and still offer this service to fundraising for local organizations. Email us for info on all magic parties or murder mysteries.
Leslie Ippolito - Resident Musical Director/ Vocal Instructor
For the past 25 years, Leslie has been teaching private vocal and piano lessons to children and adults of all ages. Her style is a laid back one focusing on the needs and personal style of the student. Leslie has prepared many of her students for all levels of NYSSMA, auditions that they may have, helps them prepare for their parts in any performances that they may be in, and accompanies them for open mic performances if that's what they like to do. She was the children's musical director for the past 7 years and is musical director for our adult productions.
Martin Knapp - Associate Director
Martin is graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC '95) A trained stage actor who seamlessly worked his way into directing. Some of his directing credits here at SSTE are 'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress' , 'Walter's Wish', 'Dog Sees God' ,'Charming, Darling, Deadly'and most recently 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago'. A few of his favorite roles on stage have been Jake - A Lie of the Mind, Jake - Jake's Women, Scrooge - Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge , himself in 'Completely Hollywood' and Cal Porter - 'Mothers and Sons'. Martin also teaches Acting for Adults.
Christopher Hackert - Playwright in Residence
Chris has been a part of the Long Island theater scene for more than a dozen years. He began his theater career as a contributing playwright for Middle Class American Productions. After having several of his one act comedies produced by MCAP, Chris was offered an acting role by the troupe's leader John Blenn. Chris accepted the role and has been hooked on acting ever since. He went on to appear in many MCAP productions and continued writing for the troupe's American Dating Catastrophes series for many years. Chris' MCAP experiences opened the door for him to write and act in other venues as well. He later joined the SEE Saw Comedy Improv troupe and quickly became a featured actor and head writer for the company, appearing all over Long Island and New York City. Chris continued to write, act, and direct in several Long Island play festivals and took home best actor, best director, and funniest play awards in two Northport based One Act Play Festivals. Chris currently works with the Northport based Bare Bones Theater Company where he attended several acting classes and workshops. He appeared in the lead role in two of Bare Bones shows, The Pavilion and Scapino! and received great praise for his work in each of those. Most recently, Chris' one act play., "Don't Forget to Write" was accepted for production and Chris was asked to direct the 30 minute comedy as well. Chris is also thrilled to call South Shore Theater Experience his other home, having worked with Deb and Ted Plezia at MCAP. Chris has appeared in many SSTE plays, including the hilarious Completely Hollywood. His full length play "Til My Dying Day" was staged by SSTE in March 2013 as well as numerous one act plays over the years. Hiw play Walter's Wish (which world premiered here) won Best Play for BroadwayWorld.com. Chris is the owner of the East Meadow Florist in East Meadow. He is also an active volunteer in the East Meadow community having served as President of both the East Meadow Kiwanis Club and the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce.
William (Bill) Cherno - Barrister
Bill has been an attorney since being admitted in 1980. He graduated Hofstra University School of Law in 1979 after having received a BA in Political Science from The American University in Washington, DC. Bill started his career as a litigator and spent 10 years in house with Chase Manhattan Bank and then turned to Real Estate Law. As all attorney’s he is a frustrated actor. He started in grade school and has continued since that time. In the past few years he has performed in many shows; comedies, dramas and musicals (including his new favorite-Silence, The Musical-a musical parody of Silence of the Lambs as told by the lambs). He continues to practice Law, has become a Licensed Real Estate Broker and acts here at SSTE and elsewhere on Long Island.
Thaddeus C. Plezia - Theatre Coordinator
Thaddeus C. Plezia has been studying Shakespeare for the last 6 years. Credits: Jacques (As You Like It), Brutus (The Tragedy of Julius Caesar), Valentine (Two Gentlemen of Verona), Chiron (Titus Andronicus), and Sganarelle (The Forced Marriage by Molière). Directorial credits: The Tempest, Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Follow him on Twitch: ChiefThad, and Socials: Twitter (@ChiefThad) Instagram (chief_thad)
Matthew Lightsey Inspire Me Scholarship Recipient 2023:
RJ Woodward
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2023:
Ronan Flynn
Heather Neumar
Lana Smith
RJ Woodward
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2022:
Madelyn DeScalzo
Kameron Karim
Ryan Rodriguez
Meredith Schrader
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2021:
Isabel Camacho
Ryan Lewis
James Rossomangno
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2020:
Jenna Halvorsen
Darren DelOrfano
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2019:
Aaron Liebowitz
Monika Orzelowski
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2018:
Danielle DelOrfano
Mackenzie Grimes
Sara Halvorsen
Lauren Prendergast
Megan Reis
Amanda Riche'
High School Senior Scholarship Recipients 2017:
Megan Burke
Robert Gianferrara
Michael McAlvin
Annarose Vallone
Emily Welliver
West Babylon HS Senior Scholarship Recipients 2016:
Paige Leddy
Samantha LoBasso
Angeline Meller
Thaddeus Plezia
Callie Seward
West Babylon HS Senior Scholarship Recipients 2015:
Cassidy Lilly
Alexa Lucchesse
Joseph Valenti
What People are Saying:
What People are Saying:
Major kudos to South Shore Theatre Experience, director Marian Torre Waller, and the cast of the Wolves. This play was funny, sad, and incredibly moving, and the cast of young women was quite impressive. I know a few adult actors who could learn a thing or two about ensemble acting from this production. There are only two more performances remaining this weekend. Do not miss it. ~ Patrick F.
The opportunity to see “The Wolves” at The South Shore Theater is one that shouldn’t be missed. The theater is cozy and inviting and everyone involved made the experience a pleasure. The performance was excellent. My emotions ranged from laughter to tears and everywhere in between. There is a chemistry within the cast that cannot be fabricated and truly adds to the performance. I would highly recommend making an effort to see this show. ~ Scott M.
Saw "Wolves" Fri nite and it was "Howling; Meaning to me, Extraordinary, Superb, Thought-provoking, On-the-edge, Heart-wrenching, down-right Funny and completely Heart-Warming. Each, very professional actor, with their very distinct personalities, projected their feelings, completely and honestly, successfully. Very talented cast! I loved it so much! ❤. 5 ⭐ performances for sure! ~ Jane T.
The Wolves – a dramatic comedy written by Sarah Delappe and directed by Marian Waller opened last night at South Shore Theatre Experience in Lindenhurst to rave reviews and thunderous applause. The award winning play focuses on the internal struggles high school girls face growing up in suburbia today. Presented through weekly indoor soccer tournament warm ups, the ensemble cast shines individually with strong performances given by all.
The players are #00 Sam Everett, #2 Samantha Lobasso, #7 Emily Vaeth, #8 Sammy Hmelovsky, #11 Jes Almeida, #13 Rosie Collette, #14 Cassidy King, #25 Dana Tortora, #46 Heather Neumar and soccer mom played deftly by Meredith Spencer.
Production and Staging- Stage manager/ lights/ sound – Leslie Ippolito, Sets/ Props- Ted Plezia, and costumes by Deborah Cascio Plezia & RJ Woodward -let's not forget these folks- the ones behind the scenes.
This is another fine production by SSTE. Originally written and staged three times from 2016 to 2018 off Broadway it's received both critical and audience acclaim. Delappeholds a mirror to the team concept and the politics within. The undertones and overtures unravel as the team dissects social issues at practice. They challenge stereotypes and hypocrisy, reflecting on our myopic vision of the gold standard through the pursuit of perfection.
This is a dramatic comedy. It is not short on either, great teamwork by all. The Wolves score early and often in this cutting edge look at youth sports and culture today. Catch it now. There is a lot of talent and the pace is quick. The comedy, often pointed and poignant, will make you think. It will make you question. Often, as moving works do, the Wolves strips us back to our basal form, as it begs the question, “Are we wo(man) or are we beast and what's the difference? ~ Vincent C.
So as you may have seen, I’ve been talking up South Shore Theater’s newest show “The Wolves”. I’ve been saying how great it’s going to be. I attended opening night and I have to tell you I was wrong. It was so, so, so, much better than great. I have been sincerely underselling this show. The writing, the directing are incredible, but it’s acting is what sets this show apart. It is beyond reproach.
An ensemble cast of 10, without a weak spot. I said over and over last night (to anyone who would listen!)that I’ve never seen a show before anywhere, much less local theater, without at least one actor that missed the mark. But last night that happened. Every woman in this cast who graces the stage is performing at such a high level. While leading you on that roller coaster of emotions from edgy interactions, to hilarious back and forths, to gut wrenching, soul crushing moments, each woman is more than up to the task.
To say “I laughed, I cried” would be incredibly cliche, but incredibly true all the same. So I implore you, come see this show. It’s not to be missed. ~ Sean K.
Saw The Wolves today. What a phenomenal, outstanding cast. Their chemistry, amazing. Didn't know whether to laugh or cry: I did both. If you haven't seen it yet, go and you won't be disappointed. Bring tissues!!! ~ Carol O.
Go see this play! Some of the best ensemble acting and direction I’ve seen in ages.Ten distinct characters make you laugh, cry and wish there was an Act ll. ~ Jill L.
WE LOVED THE SHOW... ~ Paul H.
Loved, loved, loved it! ~ Louise M.
The show was great ! We really enjoyed it! ~Michelle D.
"All Shook Up" - Completely/totally enjoyable, entertaining evening. Casting superb. Acting Phenomenal. What can I say............Great Job/Success once again, Deb! ~Jane T.
Great show, everyone should get their tickets to see this-a talented cast of young people. ~Bill C.
Love it!!! ~ Fran L.
OMG. This was an incredibly brilliant and funny show! ~ Alan S.
Great show! We didn't stop laughing all night... Angela H.
Four words... MUST SEE THIS SHOW! ~ Matt H.
Just hysterical! Great job! ~ Nancy R.
It was sooooo much fun!!!...Rambie! lol!...congrats on another great show ~Katie S.
I thought it was really funny! ~ Gail S.
Ephrons' poignant tales of obsession
Originally published: October 25, 2012 12:08 PM Updated: October 25, 2012 12:22 PM
By STEVE PARKS steve.parks@newsday.com
Photo credit: Ted Plezia | Starring in "Love, Loss and What I Wore," are, from left, Patricia Consalazio, Deborah Cascio, Harriet Baker, Mary Ann Cafiero and Sylvia Walsh
The show runs through Oct. 27, 2012, at South Shore Theatre in Lindenhurst.
All three essentials in "Love, Loss, and What I Wore," which won a 2010 Drama Desk award, figure prominently in the 28 vignettes by Nora and Delia Ephron. The experience -- it would be misleading to call it a play -- makes its post-Off-Broadway Long Island premiere, performed, aptly enough, by the South Shore Theatre Experience. Superficially, the stories, inspired by Ilene Beckerman's book of the same name, are about clothes and accessories. But the five women confessing to fashion obsessions are really talking about what animates their desire to wear something that makes them feel thinner, smarter, happier, hipper and, of course, sexier. Especially for special occasions: weddings, yes, but also the first time she tells her boyfriend that she'll spend the night, or when she's mortified by an "outfit" her mother bought her when everybody else is dressing like hippies.
Gingy, nominally the narrator, played with coy restraint by Trish Consalazio, traces her fashion history with cute drawings: from her Brownie uniform to closet artifacts with which her granddaughters delight in playing dress-up. In between, are three marriages, motherhood and the loss of a child. The other ladies play multiple roles of women we've met or, for the opposite gender, may have been at times. Harriet Baker, Mary Ann Cafiero, Sylvia Walsh and Deborah Cascio Plezia range in age and body type. The casting by director Martin Knapp reflects that of the original Off-Broadway lineup led by Tyne Daly and Rosie O'Donnell.
Players rotated frequently Off-Broadway, which is why the show is essentially a staged reading, though it seems unnecessary here. (The first reading was at East Hampton's Guild Hall in 2008.) Each woman, dressed in black, has a bar-stool-type chair and a sheet-music stand for the script, sparingly referred to on opening night. Each also has a purse (or substitute) that accessorizes one of the funnier discourses. A story about breast cancer, delivered by Walsh, is hilarious, shocking and moving. She wants a tattoo on her reconstructed breast rather than a nipple.
Loss comes in several forms in the Ephron sisters' script, but none sadder than one that's never mentioned. The show closed Off-Broadway on March 27, after 1,013 performances. Nora Ephron died June 26 of leukemia. She was 71.
WHAT "Love, Loss and What I Wore"
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts, 149 N. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst
TICKETS $15; southshoretheatre.com, 631-669-0506
Debbie and I would like to thank you so very much for the generous donation made to Strength for Life in memory of Evelyn Knapp. We are always thrilled to learn about the talents that Julia, Natalie, Isabella and Martin Knapp share in this arena, and I trust “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” was another huge success. Strength for Life is our answer to Evelyn’s vision, to help others living with cancer live their optimal life and we are honored that you chose our charity to benefit from this show and help keep Evelyn’s memory in the forefront.
~Jacqueline Errico, Strength for Life
The World of Wonder
Deb's Web - The LI Theater Buddy Newsletter 2/3/2011
ed. at Dix Hills Performing Arts Center
We had no idea that Ted Plezia is a magician. AND not only a magician but one of the top magicians on LI. We know Ted as Debbie Cascio's husband and a local actor. We've been to their home on many occasions. AND we know Debbie as a LI Performer/Director and costumer (she costumes all my shows at Longwood). As THADDEUS, Ted, a past president of the Suffolk Co Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a highly decorated Nassau Co Police Officer, medic and helicopter pilot, delighted his sold out crowd. It was a one-night only event, but I'm sure he'll be back again next year and you shouldn't miss your opportunity to see an entertaining actor/magician at work. Thaddeus draws the audience in by using a story-telling approach and by inviting many volunteers onto the stage to "help." The squeals and laughter from the audience were non-stop throughout. Of all the illusions he performed, I was at a loss to figure all but one of them out and I've seen lots of magicians perform. As a fellow audience member commented, "I come back every year with the kids - it's always different. He always adds something new." It was a fun-filled afternoon and one I would highly recommend.
Want to see more of Thaddeus?