Boots on the Ground Theater Kicks off its Gen C Creative Program With 'The Railway Children' at SCC

From Friday, March 14, to Sunday, March 23, Boots on the Ground Theater presents “The Railway Children,” the company’s first performance featuring young actors from its Gen C Creative program.

As part of this new program, each spring, Boots on the Ground will present classic literature and YA-themed plays, allowing young actors to showcase their talents on the Southampton Cultural Center stage. Students will be able to audition, perform and work behind the scenes stage managing and working on the tech crew and perhaps even direct. Gen C is not just about youth on stage — it is young thespians working with experienced adult actors to hone their skills and become exceptional performers.

Directed by Josephine Wallace, “The Railway Children” is a much-loved English children’s story written by Edith E. Nesbitt and adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny. It is a classic tale of three siblings, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, whose lives change dramatically when their father is falsely accused of espionage and imprisoned. Forced to move from their comfortable London home to a modest cottage in the countryside, they adapt to their new life with their mother.

The children befriend the railway workers and passengers, particularly an old gentleman who travels daily on the train. Through various adventures, they display courage, kindness and resourcefulness. Their good deeds and unwavering belief in their father’s innocence eventually lead to his release and the family’s reunion. The story highlights themes of resilience, family bonds, and the impact of kindness.

For over a century, “The Railway Children” has maintained its popularity and has been adapted for the screen six times, including as a television series and feature film. This classic train tale marked the first literary reference to the time-honored British tradition known as “trainspotting.” Rumor has it the BBC is planning a new version for TV this year.

The young actors featured in Boots on the Ground Theater’s production of “The Railway Children” are Zoe Richardson (as Roberta), Ollie Dianora-Brondal (as Peter) and Claire Chmielewski (as Phyllis).

Pierson High School graduate Zoe Richardson is a sophomore writing major at Pratt Institute. This show marks her third Boots on the Ground Theater production — she previously appeared in “Sherlock’s Secret Life” and “Chemical Imbalance.” She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London during a two-week summer course and is a three-time Teeny Award winner with eight nominations. She was also nominated for the New York State Roger Rees Awards for her performance in “Cinderella.” Richardson’s early training includes Stagedoor Manor Acting Camp and the Diller-Quaile School of Music.

Ollie Dianora-Brondal is 12 years old and lives in Sag Harbor. He is a passionate artist and environmental advocate. He enjoys stop-motion animation, video editing, and 3D design. In December, he placed third in the “Hometown Heroes” student competition at the Hamptons Doc Fest in which he interviewed ecologist Carl Safina. As an original member of the Young Environmentalists Society at the South Fork Natural History Museum, Dianora-Brondal has been involved in numerous environmental projects. His travels with his family have taken him to Hawaii, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland.

Claire Chmielewski, a fourth-grader at the Bridgehampton School, is making her theater debut in “The Railway Children.” Chmielewski has a passion for performing and has previously danced in “The Nutcracker.” When she’s not on stage, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and playing Fortnite.

Performances of “The Railway Children” run March 14 to 23 with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($10 students) at scc-arts.org ($25/$15 at the door). Southampton Cultural Center’s Levitas Center for the Arts is at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton Village.