Event Reviews
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Sarah Salerno Thomas has performed for events ranging from the Putnam Investments holiday party at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston to the Harvard Club of Boston's Sunday afternoon family series (at which a retired Harvard professor stepped onto the stage and wowed the audience with his performance as a Spanish nobleman, then later confessed he'd always wanted to be an actor) to an autumn festival at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA and a summer evening series at a city park in Cambridge, MA. In May of 2008, she had the joy of working with her first cast comprised wholly of adults including staff and one resident of the Radius HealthCare Center in Plymouth, MA.


"Every year I try to bring in a new activity for the children, and this year they had so much fun that I am going to try to make this an annual event. It was great to see all the little hands reach up in the air to participate - not to mention the adult hands! From the princess to the fox, each actor received recognition and felt as if they had the most important role in the play. You charmed the audience and our members so much that they have called and asked when you will be returning and want to sign up today for your next visit."
Katherine P. Bailey, former Activities Director
Harvard Club of Boston
Boston, MA

"In particular I was very pleased with the high level of audience participation in The Singing, Ringing Tree in that it effectively maintained the focus and attention of the entire audience for 50+ minutes. This can be a very challenging task when performing in an informal environment for more than 100 young children and their families!...Comments from the audience were extremely positive..."
Erica Ligeski, Outreach & Arts Education Coordinator
Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

"Sarah Salerno Thomas offers a wonderful, interactive performance that inspires the imagination of children of all ages. What an accomplishment in times when people have 'seen everything'!"
Alix Turner, Special Events Coordinator
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, MA

"What particularly caught my attention was your inviting some of our more unruly guests up to be in the play. These are children that typically come to our park without an adult and are very disruptive to our programming. You just didn't blink, included them in and they were marvelous."
Diane Chambers, A Lark in the Park Event Coordinator
Holyoke Heritage State Park
Holyoke, MA


"The event (Summer in the City) was a success thanks to your talented performance and unflappable ability to bring out the shining star in each of the children who participated in the tale. You are, indeed, a gifted performer and educator who delivered exactly what you promised."
Mary Ann Cicala, former Community Arts Administrator
Cambridge Arts Council
Cambridge, MA

"The show was a great kick-off to our Family Performing Arts Series this summer in celebration of our 75th anniversary year. It was a treat to see the children and their giant masks on our Woodland Stage under our towering oaks and pines, which you cleverly wove into the story. You have a wonderful talent for weaving fantasy, imagination, and natural history with the budding acting talents of young children. It all made for a great show."
Bonnie Drexler, Program Manager
New England Wild Flower Society
Framingham, MA

"There were giggles, gasps, guffaws and gesturing going on! The hidden talents of residents and staff were suddenly making the show! Sarah was playful and accommodating as she led the makeshift crew through the adventures of The Singing, Ringing Tree, allowing the story to develop and unfold through the imaginations and creativity of her volunteer players."
Sandra Birdsall, Activity Director
Radius HealthCare Center at Plymouth
Plymouth, MA

"Everyone present was encouraged by Sarah to let their creative side out and as a result had a wonderful time with this performance. Being able to get youth excited and active comes very naturally to her, and the beautiful masks add a beautiful touch to this interactive performance."
Beth S. Phelps, Neponset River Greenway Festival Coordinator
Boston Natural Areas Network
Boston, MA


"It is very unusual to find a performer that can involve the children so completely in the performance, especially with such excellent props! We sincerely hope to see you again next year!"
Maria Beiter-Tucker, Charles River Reservation Ranger
MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
Boston, MA

"It was refreshing to watch a story whose message was so full of "love," particularly during these times when we seem surrounded by so much hate in the world. Stories like this give us all hope for the future. There are many who could learn a lesson or two from the "princess."
Debbie Kurinsky, former Program Coordinator
MetroWest Jewish Community Center
Framingham, MA

"Our audience for First Night, both young and old, was charmed to see the children play such active roles in the production. The lively, interactive performance you choreographed was the perfect tale of enchantment for the Library's Hall of Ideas. The high energy opportunity for individual creativity, and the unique participatory nature of The Singing, Ringing Tree made the experience an absolute delight for everyone!"
Ryan J. Woods, former Educational Programs Coodinator
The Mary Baker Eddy Library
Boston, MA

"Your production was a true highlight for the children during their time with us!... We so enjoyed working with you... For future events, you will be one of the first resources we consider to provide high quality educational entertainment for the children."
Valerie Unger, Annual Meeting and Conference Childcare Coordinator
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Boston, MA