WHat People Are Saying

A simple thank you does not seem like enough, but thank you.  You have encouraged T and believed in her ability in a way that no other adult has ever done (besides her parents).  I could go on and on, but I know that you have been around T enough to know that like all humans, she is an imperfect person, and she is just looking for her place to feel accepted and to be who she is. (which I think is an energetic, fascinating person)  You have given her that place and I again want to thank you.

We've had some things said about us over the years.

From Brendon Votipka, Playwright and Assistant Director and Coordinator of Plangere Writing Center at Rutgers University. la-de-da alumni.

"It's weird
Being here
Did you picture this that first day?
Did you see yourself this way?
Do you remember what you heard them say?
'Keep your hands to yourself, say please, say thanks
Here's a copy of the handbook, you just fill in the blanks as you go
and you'l know
and you'll learn
you don't want to miss this
keep a sharp number two, answers change, and often do, it's not that strange, 
and so do you.
and so do you'"
lyricist, Nick Turner, from the 2005 original musical "Kiss Chase"

Nick! I had this song stuck in my head today. I'm now a full-time writing professor, something I hadn't dreamed I would be, and I was walking to class- and this song from years ago wouldn't leave my mind. I was thinking of the syllabus and my typical beginning of the semester routine, and the bigness and smallness of it all resonated with me in your song. Thank you for everything you've taught me. Thanks for everything you did that was out of the box. Nick, I am so privileged to have had you as a mentor and inspiration. And Troy Schuh, I wouldn't be the man I am today without you and the La-da-da family you created.

Thanks for all the art you two have created, and shared.

la-de-da is one of a kind.

"I don’t think I’ll ever totally be able to put into words how grateful I am and will always be for my time spent at la-de-da … I've known for a while now that it truly changed my life, but now I see how my experience can help me change the lives of others, even if it is just a small memory of the time they had working on their camp play. Thank you for everything that you chose to share with me. I am sure I remember far more than you do, which is now a good reminder for me in my first steps as a teacher. Our camp director reminds us every week that, even though the kids might not be expressing it in words, the time we spend with the campers is making an impact, an impression, making memories that they will have for a long time to come. I found it hard to believe until I thought back to all the times we had in la-de-da…that I remember perfectly. I still remember the very first la-de-da… class I took. I read “The Secret” with Rachelle, Ashleigh and Emily Baker. And we did the macaroni/rigatoni warm-up – which I just did with a group of campers in one of my classes. I remember Troy showing us the “worst song in the world” video, which we then played on repeat for the better part of an hour. I remember Nick teaching us about Stanislavsky for the first time. I remember every inch of the old la-de-da… building from the height wall to the decrepit crocodile couch. And I remember how much I LOVED getting to go there every week during the school year and for the best two weeks of the summer."

_ Allison Lloyd - former la-de-da student and current diva. 

"When A. was bullied over and over again at school (just before we finally had to pull him out of his school), the only thing that helped him get through his weeks was Nick Turner. I don’t know if he would have survived without Nick in his life at that time. I will always be grateful to Nick and la-de-da. That was the only place he really felt safe and appreciated around kids. Nick makes all kids feel important and special — like they should be. "

- a la-de-da parent

"I personally want to thank you for everything you and Troy did for her. A very smart, very unconventional girl who’s shy doesn't always have an easy time but you both always made her feel welcome and accepted for who she is. I’m glad I’m writing this because if I was speaking to you directly I would probably cry."

- a la-de-da parent

You guys have been such an important part of his growth. He gets really good roles in his musical theater class and many great solos. I will forever give la-de-da so much credit in his growth."

- A la-de-da parent