NEW ROCHELLE, NY (January 23, 2026) — Fifth graders and kindergarten-first grade students at Columbus Elementary School brought Roald Dahl’s classic story to the stage with their Jan. 16 performance of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Directed by teachers Antoinette Koehler and Stefanie Cordo, the production featured fifth graders in the main roles and kindergarten students as the Oompa Loompas.
Koehler said the experience went beyond entertainment.
“Theater production allows all students to develop expressive language and build self-confidence. Students were given agency to design the sets and make decisions about the production,” she said.
Cordo highlighted the cross-grade collaboration.
“It was wonderful to see young students and older students collaborating on the play, learning from one another, older students supporting the younger ones, and all students building confidence together,” she said. “Their teamwork created a warm, supportive environment that made the final performance even more meaningful. And for young students, this early start marks just the beginning – who knows where this first performing arts moment might take them in the future!”
Parents praised the effort. One said, “The costumes and the decorations all looked so beautiful! Congratulations and beautiful work.”
Another parent added, “I felt so proud! This play exceeded my expectations of seeing my son focused on his role. I felt grateful for how fortunate my son is to have a great teacher who guides him to overcome his fears and believe in himself.”
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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