Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Cherlin Baird.
Hi Becky Cherlin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first fell in love with musical theatre as an audience member at San Diego Junior Theatre. I saw Snow White and knew right then, that theatre was where I wanted to be. I spent my life as a musical theatre performer in San Diego, competitive dancer and musician. As I grew up I found my love not only for performing but for directing & choreographing kids. I started the JCC Summer Theatre Camps in La Jolla and upon graduating the University of Arizona with a BFA Musical Theatre, I founded The JCompany Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla, CA along with Melissa Garfield Bartell. Together, we built a youth theatre program for the entire community of San Diego to participate in and call home. After marrying my husband Daniel and having my two amazing kids Noah & Talia we found ourselves living in New York City for a few years. I worked on Broadway in shows including The King & I (Lincoln Center) & Fiddler on the Room (The Broadway Theatre) as part of the local Guardian Union, worked on Food Network’s Chopped Junior and coached private students around the city.
When we got back to San Diego I started my current company Kids On Stage Productions and Sand Castle Entertainment LLC. Currently I am proud to be producing a brand new Hanukkah musical called “ei8ht”, producing a new touring group in San Diego called “The Shayna Punim’s” and I continue to teach private musical theatre students as well as offer a few small theatre classes in North County.
My love for introducing young children to theatre is what keeps me excited every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am incredibly grateful to be where I am. I would say that almost every job I have is because I hustled and created opportunities for myself. Of course, working on Broadway and in television were very lucky opportunities as well, but I worked hard to have those doors open for me. The biggest challenge that comes to mind is when I was in college. My Shakespeare acting professor pulled me aside one day and told me that she thought I would never make a career in theatre and as college junior I should change my. major. That was so painful to hear from a professor and ultimately pushed me to work even harder to follow my dreams that I knew would come true. I have been able to use that negative experience and teach my students that they should never let anyone get in their way and everyone’s path is different. We can all achieve our goals and dreams as long as we keep believing and working hard.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would consider myself a Visionary Leader in Children’s Theater as well as a Producer, Director, Coach member of AEA and Local 764 Union NYC
For 35+ years, I have been a transformative force in the world of children’s theater, inspiring and empowering communities worldwide through my dedication to nurturing young talent and shaping the future of youth theatre. As the founding Artistic Director of The JCompany Youth Theatre in La Jolla, California, and owner of Kids on Stage Productions, I have become a celebrated pioneer and trusted leader in Southern California’s vibrant arts scene. My work has not only shaped individual careers but also created opportunities for countless children to discover their voices and talents on and off the stage.
Broadway & Beyond
My influence extends far beyond local stages—from Broadway to national tours to television.. I have contributed my expertise to acclaimed Broadway productions such as The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, and Matilda. Most recently, I served as a Broadway Local 764 Guardian for Annie at Madison Square Garden, collaborating with Whoopi Goldberg to help bring this iconic production to life.
Championing Young Performers
My passion for cultivating young artists is evident in her diverse roles, including:
Children’s Casting Director and Choir Director for the Broadway First National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Talent Supervisor for Food Network’s Chopped Junior
Private Musical Theatre Coach, mentoring aspiring performers who now shine on stages and screens worldwide
Innovative Producer
I continue to redefine what youth theater can achieve. I am currently producing “ei8ht’ a new Hanukkah musical, “Hereville” a Nu Musical, ” and co-producing “Echoes of Courage” a Holocaust Education Project. My recent traditional productions include beloved classics such as Peter Pan, Frozen, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and High School Musical. During the pandemic, I co-wrote and produced <i>The Temple & The Secret Code</i>, an original Hanukkah-themed virtual adventure that brought families together through an interactive online theatrical experience. And, I led a “Backyard Broadway” program bringing Annie and Willy Wonka to life safely outdoors.
Community Leader
A passionate advocate for the arts, I holds several leadership roles in the community, including:
Board Member of the Carlsbad Playwrights Association
Co-producer of socially impactful works like Hereville: A New Musical, which premiered at the Center for Jewish History
Bringing of theatre opportunities to at-risk youth and seniors in unique settings
Former Board Member for San Diego Junior Theatre and San Diego Musical Theatre
Lifelong Arts Advocate
My entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community engagement continues to shape the future of youth theater and arts accessibility in San Diego and beyond. For more information about my work or upcoming projects, visit www.kidsonstageproductions.com.
I am a Children’s Theatre Director & Producer. In my career, I am most proud of starting theatre summer camps as part of the Camp Jaycee program and being the Founding Artistic Director of The JCompany Youth Theatre. With an amazing producing team, I was fortunate to create a home for kids to discover a love for theatre as well as a safe place to belong. What sets me apart from others is that I have a vision for creating theatrical spaces in our communities, building new Jewish theatre connections across the country and being able to build teams of people to help me.
What were you like growing up?
As a young kid I was incredibly imaginative and loved creating stories with music and dance. I would perform any time I had an audience, usually at family gatherings. I would create talent shows and events to allow others to perform. I loved music, tap, live theatre and performances. I would spend. hours with my record player, tape recorder and making up dances in in our laundry room at home (because it had a tile floor which was perfect for tap shoes). I was a Girl Scout for years, Vice President & Secretary of my High School Class, DJ for Valhalla High Schools’ radio station & a member of the Philanthropic Organization called SPRITES with my mom. Something that was very important to my family and passed on to me is the idea of “Mitzvot”. Doing good things for others. I continue to try and make sure that I appreciate everything I get to do and at the same time, making time and room to help others in and around my community. Often times that is donating my time to teach an acting class to an underserved community or bringing young performers to local senior homes and having them entertain for the residents.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kidsonstageproductions.com
- Instagram: @kidsonstageproductions
Image Credits
Headshot Photo Credit Julie Licari Photography
