Frederic DeFeis has brought live theater to Long Island for over 57 years. He is the founder, producer, and director of Arena Players Repertory Theatre in East Farmingdale and has established some of the first serious theater on Long Island with his Arena Players.

DeFeis said he thinks people like to see and connect with live theater.

"The audience wants to be involved so that the show almost becomes reality," he added.

At Arena Players, the audience is so close to the actors that it reflects this realism. The productions show variety, from classics such as Ophelia, to more cutting-edge plays including a recent production, Bring 'em On, about the corruption of today's leaders.

DeFeis' background includes an MFA in drama from Fordham University, after which he led the Arena Players departments at Iona College and Duquesne University. According to DeFeis, learning by doing is the most valuable.

"I think it really takes years before you can get to a certain level," he said.

Before directing and producing, DeFeis always wanted to be an actor and, at one point, an opera singer. Those dreams were put on hold when he started a family of his own. They relocated to Long Island in 1952, which made DeFeis start producing here. DeFeis taught an acting night class, where he was able to find students for his company.

DeFeis' inspiration comes from reading about theater and acting.

"It was something I liked doing and I did it on my own," he explained.

DeFeis even studied theater design to revamp his Arena Theatre in East Farmingdale himself.

Conquering the theater world in more ways than one, he owns and runs Arena's two theaters, Main Stage and Second Stage, and established acting learning centers and children's theater programs.

"Farmingdale is a growing community of culture," he said. "We needed to expand what we offer to the community so people could grow with us. It is wonderful seeing these children develop by doing something they love."

Edie Falco, a Golden Globe winner who starred in the HBO series The Sopranos, started as a child in DeFeis' productions. Defeis keeps in contact with Edie and her mother, Judith Anderson, who herself still acts in Arena Players productions.

DeFeis understands what the audience likes, although he may not run a play for that reason.

"I've learned what people like and dislike, but at times I still do plays they won't like if I know it's worth doing," he explained.

He has a passion for running plays having to do with controversial issues, such as politics.

"I like these [types of] plays because they make people think," he said.

Although a play may not sit well with the audience, if it is a good play he will still run it.

"We are not in it for the money; we are in it for the joy and the true experience of theater," he said.

Arena Players Theatre introduces a new play each year which DeFeis chooses from hundreds of submissions.

"We get a new submission almost every day but choose one that is most appealing and challenging," he explained.

Surprisingly, he often doesn't read the complete work to decide if it is good.

"When I pick up a script I know within the first 10 pages if it has any artistic merit and talent," he said.

DeFeis said his greatest personal accomplishment in theater is his ability to be in this business for over 57 years.

"I enjoy the concept of working in the arts and making it come alive," he explained. "Having my own theater allows me to do everything I have ever dreamed of."

He can act and sing like he once dreamed because of his success. DeFeis' artistic dream-come-true doesn't end with him. His daughters sing rock and opera and his son, David DeFeis, is a member of the international rock band Virgin Steele which has produced 11 albums. His children continue to be involved in the arts, and that he feels is his greatest life accomplishment.

"Producing children in the arts has been a wonderful and satisfying accomplishment in my life," he added.