The Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club in North Beach is an oasis for recreation and sports, but some might not know that it also offers an outlet for kids who'd rather ham it up than hit a curveball.

The theater program at the club started in 2006 under the leadership of Mary Powelson, who says the program helps kids ages 8–14 learn teamwork, build confidence and hone new skills. Not to mention, it creates a sense of community for them and for the families and neighbors who attend the productions. "It feels more and more like a true community theater in the best way," she said. Shows attract 200 to 300 audience members a night, she added.

Jackson White, Olivia Hellman, Lucy Bikhai, Brooklyn Zebroski, Sadie Scott, Eva Giordano and Finbar LaBelle.

Powelson, an independent contractor for the club, beams when she talks about everything a theater program does for children's growth. "As teachers, we always talk about transferable skills," she said. Self-esteem, confidence, language skills, teamwork and cooperation, and a sense of commitment and focus are a few of the things she sees them pick up. Particularly for children who don't fit in well in the classroom or having learning or attention issues, she said, "It's helpful to have as an outlet." In other words, they can put that extra energy to work in the form of acting, singing, dancing, building sets or doing other backstage work, building confidence and self-esteem along the way.

Another benefit the theater provides, Powelson said, is opening doors for kids to something they never thought they could do. "Sometimes kids get doors shut on them all the time," she said. "They need the arts to find out who they are and provide a voice." Youths who participate might never have known they could memorize lines or be on stage in front of hundreds of people—or even do a mock death scene. Powelson brings in professionals from Cal Shakes to teach play sword fighting. Love scenes, on the other hand, are a tough sell for this age group, she said.

Sadie Scott, Brooklyn Zebroski, Finbar LaBelle, Eva Giordano, Lucy Bikhai, Olivia Hellman, Zoe Forbes.

Acting isn't the only thing that kids can try their hands at. Erin Giordano of North Beach said her daughter Eva, now 14, "always loved clothing and fashion and style, so she gravitated toward costumes. In sixth grade, she could go in and help costume the show. Mary really encouraged it," she said. "It made her feel good about herself that she had something to contribute. It gives kids the opportunity to try things." And, she said, after her son Enzo, now 16, was out of the program, he went back and co-wrote and directed a production for the club.

Colten Hitchcock and Ben Lester. 

Hundreds of kids have gone through the program; about 40 are enrolled at any given time, Powelson said. One of the main reasons she teaches at the Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club is because it's only $10 a year to participate and no one is turned away. "To offer arts for free in this neighborhood is very special to me, and I'm committed to it," she added. Money for her salary and the productions comes from donations to the club, and parents help build sets, provide costumes and more. "We do a lot of scrappy stuff," Powelson said. "Lots of duct tape and cardboard."

Allie Campbell, Gigi McMillan, Ava Dubois, Lauren Bohne and Ellie Aronica. 

Speaking of shows, the club usually stages three to four productions each school year, but this year they only did one in February: Somewhere Over Salesian 3, an homage to North Beach and its iconic show, Beach Blanket Babylon.

The season was light this year due to construction at the club, which is adding another floor and 7,500 square feet of additional space to the building so it can expand its programs. The theater now stages shows in the basement of Saints Peter & Paul Church, but the new space will include a black-box theater, along with martial arts rooms, a learning center and an arts and crafts/culinary area, according to Russell Gumina, the club's executive director. (Find donation information here.)

In the end, Giordano said, the theater is "this magical nostalgic thing about 'let’s put on a show.' There’s a little pocket of creativity happening in there."