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The Little Barn Story
It all began with a big idea and a little barn.
We dreamed of building a whimsical, child-centered barn on the property of Hayground School - one that would double as a theater and a creative hub for singing, dancing, acting, and year-round learning.
The founder of the school loved it. Our proposal was simple: in exchange for building this magical space, we’d become a summer camp activity and host after-school programs open to the community.
From One Big Idea to LITTLE BARN
But as life would have it, the founder retired, and the vision that once felt so supported suddenly faced new challenges.
Still, we stayed for six years, quietly building something special.
At the beginning and end of each summer, we ran Mini Camps under a dance tent we donated - spaces that welcomed birdsong, summer breezes, and an ever-growing group of young performers.
Eventually, it was time to move on.
The space we had given so much to was no longer a fit. And just when we wondered where we’d go next, the stars - literally - aligned.
One summer evening on the beach, during what may have been a comet sighting, my husband met a fellow parent who happened to be on the board of Bridgehampton School.
When she heard about Little Barn, she said, “We’ve heard of you - we would love to have a program like that.”
And just like that, a new chapter began...
When One Door Closed, Another Opened (Under the Stars)
A New Chapter at Bridgehampton School
Bridgehampton welcomed us with open arms.
Our program quickly filled with over 40 children, and by the end of our first summer, we had produced two full musicals and made countless memories. We’re returning this summer - stronger, fuller, and even more inspired.
Word has spread to Sag Harbor, and on the first day of registration, 26 families signed up. We expect to be full before the season even starts.
We’ll have two big beautiful tents nestled on the grounds - one for tap, one for music - and our classes will be held both indoors and out, giving kids the fresh-air magic that only the Hamptons in summer can provide.
It’s theater under the sky, with the sounds of nature in the background and creativity at the center of everything we do.
Music, Movement, and Community - All Summer Long
Alongside our summer camp, we’ve also grown another beautiful summer community - offering Mommy and Me Musical Theatre classes for our tiniest performers, as well as private lessons in voice, dance, acting, and scriptwriting.
Whether it’s a baby’s first dance step or a teen’s first original scene, we’re here to nurture every stage of a child’s creative journey.
The Little Barn Dream Gets Bigger
But we’re not stopping there.
Our long-term dream?
To create a true performing arts farm. A place with a dance barn, a music barn, and an acting barn.
A basement studio reminiscent of the School of American Ballet.
A little art barn for costumes and set-making. A cozy kitchen for rainy-day lunches, spa water stands, and healthy cooking projects.
A flower-and-herb-filled garden with a playground, treehouse, mud pie kitchen, and outdoor stage.
Maybe even a couple of gentle horses. A chicken coop. And if we’re lucky - a house cow. (If you’ve never heard of one, look it up - they’re as sweet and soulful as they sound.)
“There’s something about performing under a tent in the summer that just feels like magic.”
A Timeless Vision for the Next Generation
More than anything, we want this place to be a camp for children to grow, imagine, and express themselves.
To sing out loud.
To dance in the grass.
To connect with nature, animals, and one another.
A place that feels like summer all year round - and where every child belongs.
To make this dream fully inclusive, we are actively working on developing a non-profit wing of Little Barn - one that will allow us to raise funds to ensure that every child who wants to be part of our camp can be, regardless of financial circumstances.
And if it all feels a little nostalgic - like something out of Our Gang, The Wizard of Oz, or the movie Summer Stock with Judy Garland - that’s no accident.
Little Barn is deeply inspired by the joy, heart, and scrappy charm of musicals from the 1930s and beyond. We’re building something timeless, where old-fashioned creativity meets fresh, open-air freedom.
This is only the beginning.
Welcome to Little Barn.
