At South Boston Neighborhood House (SBNH), saying “yes” to a young person’s dream can change not just their life—but the lives of those around them.
As a Rodman for Kids Charity Partner, SBNH has opened doors that may have otherwise remained shut, none more impactful than the story of Brenny O’Brien, a teen whose passion for theatre grew into something extraordinary.
Brenny’s relationship with the arts was profoundly impacted by attending live performances through Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program. The experiences were transformative, deepening her love for the theatre and showing her just how far storytelling could go. Inspired by what she saw, Brenny began dreaming bigger, of leading, creating, and bringing that same magic back to her own community.
“It’s not just about sending kids to a show. It’s really about opening up their world to so many possibilities,” says SBNH Executive Director Kathy Lafferty.
“Until we were really truly part of Rodman for Kids and Theatre for Kids, our participants really didn’t have as many opportunities as they have now and it really does change lives.”
What began as a simple theatre club soon grew into a fully staged production of Steel Magnolias, and eventually evolved into SouthStage Theatre Works, a teen-run theatre company housed at SBNH.
With the encouragement of her mentors and SBNH, Brenny has been able to:
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Produce full-scale performances
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Design sets and costumes
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Attend professional theatre productions through Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program
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Create a safe, creative space for other teens to explore their voices
What’s remarkable isn’t just that Brenny led a show; it’s that, by being uplifted through the arts, she uplifted others. Fellow cast members experienced theatre in a new light, and for many, it was the first time they realized how powerful storytelling, collaboration, and creativity could be.
Through her leadership, the program grew from a club into a platform – a movement of teen empowerment through the arts.
“When our kids have an idea or when they have a dream or when they have something that they wanna do, if we can give them the space to be able to do that – like what a gift, right? And so we’ve given Brenny all the yeses we can,” Kathy shared.
This story is a shining example of what happens when you believe in young people and give them the tools to lead. When you uplift one kid, they’ll uplift others.