05/01/2026
MAY MTA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!!
RAH! THEATRE
Our May spotlight is falling on RAH Theatre, with a specific light on the founder: The One and Only Nicole DePietro! So let's find out more about this cool company and this amazingly talented spirit!
So tell us a little about you!
I am originally from Long Island, New York. I grew up in Nassau County, about a 25 minute train ride into the city. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs - my mom owned a catering business called "Kiss Catering" and owned a 1950s style diner called "Our Town". My dad was a musician who owned "Four Seasons Productions". He played corporate parties, weddings, bat mitzvahs, communions and all kinds of parties. He was also the house band at the Peninsula Hotel, Tavern on the Green and The Plaza Hotel. I also have a sister who is the principal at Metrolina Christian Academy's Lower School.
So tell us about RAH! What's it all about and what inspired you to create this unique and exciting company?
I had been thinking about starting my own company for some time. I taught at a low-income, rural school and saw that many theatre programs for teens were cost-prohibitive. I wanted to create a company that was affordable and affirming. In November of 2022, my dad was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. It was a watershed moment for me; I realized that life is short and we never know how much time we really have. I formed the company that December and with some money from my Dad, I purchased the rights to perform Shrek: The Musical. I arranged to rehearse and perform at a church where a friend of mine worked and in May of 2023, RAH! Theatre had its debut show with a cast of 22 high schoolers. Sadly, my Dad passed and never got to see it. They gave him 3-5 years but he passed away just three months after his diagnosis. He inspired me to begin this and my students inspire me to keep going.
Any favorite shows you have directed in the past?
WAY too many to list...but if I had to name a few I would say: "Fahrenheit 451", "Something Rotten", "Little Shop of Horrors", and "Ride the Cyclone". But I just love theatre, and every show has a special place in my memories because each one teaches me something new.
Any funny or memorable moments onstage or backstage you would like to share?
When we did "Little Shop of Horrors," I made our first big investment: a dry ice fogger. Because it was a significant investment, I took a while to commit to purchasing it, so it arrived the week of the show. We could never get it to work correctly during tech week. One time, we didn't have enough water. Another time it tripped the breakers and all the lighting turned off. Finally, just as the cast was finishing bows on the first evening, it worked! And then the cast promptly all began to slip and fall because the dry ice mist make the flooring we put down to cover the church's carpeted stage slippery. So...lesson learned to never wait until the last minute to try out your tech. BUT you may see the fogger make an appearance in "Carrie"!
What do you find intriguing in this particular story of Carrie? Any challenges?
I am a HUGE Stephen King fan and I love a good horror story. What I especially love about Stephen King is how he blends supernatural horror with the horrors humans inflict on each other. As a teacher, I've seen first hand how damaging bullying can be. I think it's important to explore these themes with actors who are the same ages as the majority of the characters. I hope that when my students leave a production with RAH! Theatre, they have improved as thespians and as people. "Carrie" is the perfect show to accomplish that.
The biggest challenge will be incorporating the effects when we only have one rehearsal in the space where we perform. But we are used to having to be mobile and I know that with all the brains involved in the show, we will get it done.
Do you have a favorite part of the rehearsal process? If so, what is it and why?
My favorite part of the process is the teamwork that happens during rehearsals. I love collaborating with a team to find the best way to tell the story. And if I can give two answers, I'd say the other part is when the cast becomes a family. It's almost like a switch flips. One day they are a bunch of individuals or small friend groups; then at the next rehearsal they're all friends. Of course, it becomes harder to direct when that happens because they never stop laughing...but that's okay.
What do you hope people will take away from this production? What do you hope the students take away from the production?
I hope people are entertained and have a good time, but also leave reflecting on the power of simple compassion and kindness. For my students, I want them to leave knowing they are part of the RAH! Family forever, even if they never do a show with us again. And that means they have a responsibility to be empathetic and to continue being the wonderfully creative humans that they are.
Anything about you that most people would not know?
Most people probably wouldn't know that I have dual citizenship! I am a US Citizen by birth and a Maltese Citizen by marriage. And if you ever have the chance to visit Malta, I highly recommend it - it is a beautiful country.
Anything else you would like to share with your theatre family?
I'd like to share that I am so happy to live in a part of the world with such a strong arts community. Also, please come see "Carrie: The Musical" June 11th-13th at StageDoor Theatre! You will be so impressed by these young performers. I hope to see you there!
Nicole, thank you so much for sharing with your theater family and community. And thank you for what you share with your students. I'm sure they are truly grateful. And go ahead and mark your calendars in June to see Carrie: The Musical with RAH!Theatre! It will be running June 11 through June 13.
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