GiGi’s Playhouse shares space with Think Big!

An exciting joint venture is happening in Patchogue as GiGi’s Playhouse, located at 100 Austin Street, Suite 3, in Patchogue, welcomes Think Big! Theater Arts into its 3,875-square-foot space. GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island Down Syndrome Achievement Center, headed by board president Mike Cirigliano recently offered space within their state-of-the-art facility to Think Big! Theater Arts with its educational director, actor Heather Van Velsor at the helm.

“GiGi’s Playhouse tries to build friendly relationships, and when there was a need for space for Think Big, we offered the space with a beautiful stage and an open area. We are collaborating but Think Big runs their own separate programs. We are developing GiGi’s Theater program that’s still in the works. It’s an opportunity for our participants to get involved in theater,” said Cirigliano about the win-win situation. 

On March 20, 2021, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center opened its location in Patchogue, on the day before World Down Syndrome Day. It is the first GiGi’s Playhouse on Long Island and the 52nd throughout the United States and Mexico. The center is modeled on the original GiGi’s Playhouse, established in 2003 in Chicago by Nancy Gianni, inspired by her daughter, GiGi, now 18, who has Down syndrome.

GiGi’s Playhouse and Think BIG! First began working together about nine months ago when Van Velsor and her team began running a summer program out of their location. Think Big! Theatre Arts was previously located at 42 South Ocean Avenue in Patchogue. Started in 1996, Think BIG! is the brainchild of Van Velsor, along with playwright Shawn Thorgersen, and actor/puppet builder Frank Longo. Think BIG! Holds children’s musical and theater workshops and write and produce original performances, they also rent and build puppets, and offer courses and coaching to adult artists. Now they will continue to present shows that are enjoyable for the whole family in their new shared space, which is sure to induce, by proximity, even more dynamic ideas together and separately. 

“The goal is to promote acceptance for all from prenatal through adulthood,” said Cirigliano of the center, which includes a math lab, literacy tutoring, a library, a stage, family area, kitchen, and more. All programs at GiGi’s Playhouse are free to those who attend. Volunteers raised $200,000 to open the Long Island Community Center and will continue fundraising to keep it in operation according to Cirigliano, who also works in insurance and financial services. GiGi’s Playhouse is an organization close to Cirigliano’s heart since his niece Bella has Down syndrome.

Cirigliano says sometimes the most challenging part is just getting parents to bring their children to the center. “One of the hardest things is getting kids to come the first time,” he said. However, once families are there, they wonder what took them so long to participate in all the fun and resources available. 

This Friday, March 10, the annual gala will be held at Land’s End in Sayville. Tickets are $300 each. There will be a 50/50 raffle, dinner, silent auction, and entertainment. Other upcoming fundraising events will include a golf outing, comedy show, GiGi’s Fit-Acceptance Challenge, a Fun Run including both disabled and non-disabled participants.   

To purchase tickets, donate, or find out more information go to gigisplayhouse.org.