Noel S. Ruiz was a Cuban-American theater director and community leader whose vision turned a small faith-based ministry into Long Island’s most beloved performing arts center.
Noel S. Ruiz was more than a theater director. He was a dreamer, a teacher, and a kind leader who believed that everyone deserved a chance to shine. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Ruiz spent his life bringing people together through theater, music, and faith. His work helped turn a small ministry into one of Long Island’s most respected performing arts centers.
Noel S. Ruiz – Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Noel S. Ruiz |
| Born | 1955, Cuba |
| Died | September 15, 2013 |
| Age at Death | 58 years |
| Nationality | Cuban-American |
| Raised In | Islip Terrace, New York |
| High School | St. John the Baptist High School, West Islip |
| Profession | Theater Director, Educator, Community Leader |
| Known For | Founder of Creative Ministries & CM Performing Arts Center |
| Major Contribution | Created the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre in Oakdale |
| First Major Production | The Journey, Cross and Crucifixion |
| Famous Quote Theme | “The Impossible Dream” |
| Partner | Joseph Campanello |
| Parents | Francisco and Daysi Ruiz |
| Legacy | Noel S. Ruiz Theatre & Scholarship at CMPAC |
| 2025 Honor | Inducted into Connetquot High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame |
Early Life and Journey to America
Noel S. Ruiz was born in Cuba in 1955. When he was just six years old, his family moved to the United States. Like many immigrant families, they came searching for safety, opportunity, and a better future. They settled in Islip Terrace, New York, where Noel grew up.
As a young boy, Noel learned to adjust to a new country, language, and culture. These early experiences helped shape his understanding of people from different backgrounds. He became caring, open-minded, and deeply connected to community.
Noel attended St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip, where he graduated in the early 1970s. While he did not attend a formal theater college, his true education came from real life. He learned by doing, by working with people, helping young adults, and using creativity to share meaningful stories.
Family of Noel S. Ruiz
Family played an important role in the life of Noel S. Ruiz. He was born in Cuba and came to the United States as a young child with his parents, Francisco Ruiz and Daysi Ruiz, who worked hard to build a new life for their family in New York. Their courage and support helped shape Noel’s caring and community-focused spirit.
Noel grew up alongside his siblings Maria Ruiz, Aelyn Baney (Ruiz), and Frannol Ruiz. The Ruiz family shared a strong bond, and Noel remained close to them throughout his life. He was also a proud and loving uncle to nine nieces and nephews, often speaking about how much family meant to him.
Faith, Youth Work, and a Love for Theater
After finishing high school, Noel began working in youth ministry at St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church in Bohemia, New York. He helped guide and support young people in their daily lives. During this time, he realized that theater was more than entertainment.
Noel saw that drama, music, and dance could help young people express their feelings, grow in confidence, and feel connected. Instead of just talking about faith, he used performance to show it. This idea became the foundation of everything he would later build.
The Birth of Creative Ministries
In 1987, Noel S. Ruiz and a small group of supporters started a nonprofit group called Creative Ministries. The goal was simple: to tell faith-based stories using theater, dance, and music.
One of their first and most famous productions was “The Journey, Cross and Crucifixion.” It was a moving show that told the story of Jesus’ final days using acting, dance, and music instead of just words.
This show became very popular. Teams of performers traveled to churches and schools across Long Island and New York City, sharing this powerful story. At one point, the group had three touring teams with about 30 performers.
Turning a Movie Theater into a Theater of Dreams
In 1997, Noel S. Ruiz took a bold step. He led a project to turn an old, unused movie theater in Oakdale, New York, into a real performing arts center. This was not easy. It took fundraising, planning, and a lot of hard work.
But Noel believed in what he called “The Impossible Dream.”
The building became the CM Performing Arts Center, a 330-seat theater with a main stage, classrooms, and a place for the community to gather. Later, the main stage was named the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre in his honor.
The first show performed there was Man of La Mancha, a musical about chasing dreams no matter how hard they seem. It was a perfect choice for Noel’s big moment.
“Broadway in Oakdale”
Under Noel’s leadership, CM Performing Arts Center became known as “Broadway in Oakdale.” The quality of the shows amazed audiences. They were colorful, emotional, and professional.
The theater produced well-known shows like:
- Fiddler on the Roof
- Gypsy
- Godspell
- Sunset Boulevard
Each season included five full-scale musicals, plus shows for children and families. Noel made sure everyone, from beginners to experienced actors—felt welcome.
Teaching the Next Generation
One of Noel’s greatest gifts was teaching. He believed in young people, even when they did not believe in themselves.
The CM Performing Arts Center started a theater school where kids could learn:
- Acting
- Singing
- Dancing
- Stage skills
Hundreds of children passed through this program. Many of them gained confidence, made friends, and found their voice on stage.
People who worked with Noel said he had a special way of seeing the best in others. He did not just teach theater. He taught self-belief.
Family, Love, and Relationships
Noel S Ruiz spends his life with his partner, Joseph Campanello. The two were planning to get married in 2014. Joseph later said Noel used theater and music to bring people together and called him one of the most loving people he had ever known.
Noel was also close to his parents, Francisco and Daysi Ruiz, and his siblings Frannol Ruiz, Aelyn Baney, and Maria Ruiz. He was a proud uncle and even loved his dog, Buddy.
A Sudden and Sad Goodbye
On September 15, 2013, tragedy struck. Noel S. Ruiz was at a wedding reception, celebrating with friends and family, when he suddenly collapsed. He passed away at the age of 58.
The news shocked the Long Island theater community. People across the area felt they had lost not just a director, but a friend and mentor.
His funeral was held at the same church where he once worked as a youth minister. In place of flowers, his family asked people to donate to the CM Performing Arts Center so his work could continue.
Honors and Lasting Legacy
Noel’s influence did not end with his death.
In 2025, he was honored by Connetquot High School and placed into its Fine Arts and Music Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, he was called:
“A visionary… a builder of dreams… the heart of Long Island theatre.”
Today, the CM Performing Arts Center still produces many shows each year in the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre. The Noel S. Ruiz Scholarship also helps young artists who need support, keeping his spirit alive.
Why Noel S. Ruiz Still Matters
Noel S. Ruiz showed that theater is not just entertainment. It is a way to connect, heal, and grow.
He brought people together, children, adults, artists, and families, and gave them a place where they could belong. His work helped shape Long Island’s arts community and touched countless lives.
Final Thoughts
Noel S. Ruiz lived a life full of passion, kindness, and creativity. From a young boy who came from Cuba to a man who built one of Long Island’s greatest community theaters, his journey is truly inspiring.
His story reminds us that when you believe in people and in dreams, you can create something beautiful that lasts forever.
