When non-New Yorkers think of the City and Broadway, they assume that every actor in town is gunning to be on the main stage of some Broadway production, but that is oh so not the case. Tucked away in basements, behind store fronts, in high rise buildings on floors assessable sometimes only by walking up and on floors you don’t want to think about the fire safety are tiny stages, black boxes, theatres that seat 21 people if you squeeze in. The actors dress in ‘backstage dressing rooms’ the size of broom closets, into costumes fashioned from their closets, each others’ wardrobes and second-hand stores. These performing groups are guided and directed by devoted persons who make no salary, spend much of their time in long hours, giving back to the community by making a place for all, young and old, who are wanting to be in a production but still keep the day job. It is a often thankless work and no one has to do it, but someone does and these unseen, unknown toilers deserve a moment of universal praise for what they do. The next time you are in town, find one of these shows and be delighted, surprised and supportive of someone who has come to the big apple and found a creative home and thus their dream.