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Dear French Woods Families
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There is nothing we look forward to more than the upcoming summer season. We put together a fabulous show schedule and we even will be debuting some new shows this summer! There is more than one special project in the works and we'll tell you more when we can!
We continue to work hard to put together the best staff for you this summer and we do have so many wonderful people who will be with us this year. We still are looking for staff in a few areas, so if you know someone looking for a summer plan, please let them know. Potential staff members can submit their application to work with us right on our website.
Are you a nurse or do you know one? We currently are looking for camp nurses. Please call us if you are interested!
Tristan, Michael & I will be leaving for camp before we know it. We will be waiting for you!
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March 1
Gracie Mannheim
Kasey Luong
Michelangelo Alvarez
Sophia Mobley
March 2
Anne Nodelman
Cody Tooker
Hayley Brick
Oscar Heyman
March 3
Emily Beaird
Rebecca Kleinhans
Simona Freed
March 4
Alaina McCarthy
Annie Benson
Haley Ruthman
Liat Skolnick
Luca Aghababaie
Michael Mintz
Parker Rice
March 5
Austin North
Oceania Schaay
March 6
Daniel Vayserfirov
Danny Baumfeld
Henry Stafford
Molly Besler
March 7
Charlotte Reiser
Coen Church
Josephyne Schaefer
Maxwell Frank
Uma Scher
March 8
Andrew Cohen
Avery Dnistrian
Kai Piccone
March 9
Ari Feinberg
Bryan Santiago
Jacob DeMarco
Sienna Speed
Vivian Dinota
March 10
Justin Gulbranson
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March 11
Benjamin Fertig
Celeste Anderson
Ella Rae Gill
Isaiah Gabriel
Luke Corbin
Makayla Fetterman
Sasha Reich
Sophia Spalten
March 12
Greta Friedman
John Gnagy
Olivia Barsky
Stella Swade
March 13
Bella Pianko
Grayson Aspen
Julia Freedman
Lily Thomas
Ruby Nieman
March 14
Abby Langer
Sophie Philips
Zimu Qiu
March 15
Amalia Sardinha
Elliot Miller
Emmanuelle Rave-Meir
Ronan O'Sullivan
Ruby Farmer
Sydney Morakis
March 16
Alessandra Baldacchino
Leah Glazer
March 17
Madeline Dick
Maggie Moroney
March 18
August Lott
Autumn Wadhwa
Mushka Seidner
Mushka Seidner
Natalie Hovav
March 19
Akiv Shah
Eva Lindveit
Gideon Miller
Jacob Gordon
James Wallace
March 20
Afeni Collins-Johnston
Leopold Smith
Luke Ertl
Peter Lopez
Sienna Withers
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March 21
Aksinya Artemenkova
Alana Zaiger
Chaya Friedman
Elizabeth Burns
Nancy Veloudis
March 22
Chloe Lucich
Elle Flueck
March 23
Natalie Rubin
Rafi Popowitz
March 24
Elise Dehlin
Maxwell Cohen
March 25
Daliha Polissaint
Giacomo Harris
Isabella Turnowski-New
Julian Barrios
Valeska Damon
March 26
Laney Rakofsky
March 27
Colin Sherer
Danielle Galatti
Diana Fedoseeva
Harrison Sherer
Lucas Petitto
Mathew Sainvil
Tabitha Meyer
March 28
Alexander Delgado
Zachary Udin
March 29
Carmen Rose Lacosta Kolsrud
Emily Stepan-Jackson
Harold Hurley
Isabella Leon
Jessi Kaplan
Noa Zacks
Rebecca Mestel
March 30
Caden Gonzalez
Sarah Dulla
March 31
Amanda Ruffino
Paige St. Claire
Sadie Hepinstall
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Session 3 2021 Shows - (subject to change)
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How I Became A Pirate -- Ages 7-9
Imagine Jeremy Jacob’s surprise when he’s accosted on the beach by a motley crew of pirates. They need a digger to bury their treasure and Jeremy, clutching his little sand spade, is recruited. At first, the pirate life is all fun; swabbing decks, counting ducats and singing shanties. But when night falls, Jeremy gets no bed time story and no tucking in.
Moana Jr. -- Ages 9-11
This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod, Maui, embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within.
Schoolhouse Rock -- Ages 9-11
Tom is a nerve-wracked school teacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV, when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music.
Junie B. Jones Jr. -- Ages 9-11
Join Junie B. on her first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie's best friend Lucille has found new best friends — and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. While in Mr. Scary's class, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard — and she may need glasses. Add in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal," and first grade has never been more exciting.
Dear Edwina Jr. -- Ages 9-11
Follow the adventures of advice- giver extraordinaire, Edwina Spoonapple, as she directs the kids in the neighborhood in production number after hilarious production number in her “Advice-A-Palooza” extravaganza.
Tarzan -- Ages 11- 12
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan's life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe's territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.
Zombie Prom -- Ages 11-14
This girl loves ghoul rock n' roll Off Broadway musical is set in the atomic 1950's at Enrico Fermi High, where the law is laid down by a zany, tyrannical principal. Pretty senior, Toffee, has fallen for the class bad boy. Family pressure forces her to end the romance, and he charges off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump. He returns glowing and determined to reclaim Toffee's heart. He still wants to graduate, but most of all he wants to take Toffee to the prom. The principal orders him to drop dead while a scandal reporter seizes on him as the freak du jour. History comes to his rescue while a tuneful selection of original songs in the style of 50's hits keeps the action rocking across the stage.
High School Musical -- Ages 11-14
While on their family vacations, high school jock and basketball star, Troy, and brainy Gabriella - two teens who are worlds apart - meet. During a karaoke contest (“Start of Something New”) they discover their love for singing, and an interest in each other. After vacation, Troy discovers that Gabriella is the new girl at East High. Still a bit inspired by their holiday vacation performance, Troy and Gabriella both decide to audition for the school musical and havoc ensues.
Elf -- Ages 11-14
William "Buddy" Hobbs, a young orphan child, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Years later, Buddy finds out that he's an ordinary human being and heads off to New York City in search of his father, Walter Hobbs. He finds him, but Walter doesn't believe in the spirit of Christmas, nor do many other New Yorkers. This is a problem, because Santa's sleigh is powered by the people's belief in Christmas. Faced with the harsh reality that Walter is on the naughty list and his half-brother, Michael, doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his birth family and help New York City remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Shrek -- Ages 11-17
This show is based on the 2,001 DreamWorks film Shrek. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.
Special Premier TBA -- Ages 11-17
We have an exciting show that we can't talk about yet...
Blood Brothers -- Ages 11-17
A haunting musical tragedy of our times - this is the tale of two twins parted at birth and how their lives intertwined as they grow up. This musical fulfills the prophecy that twins separated at birth will die on the day they discover their heritage.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- Ages 11-17
This is a gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry. In an attempt to cure his ailing father’s mental illness by separating “good” from “evil” in the human personality, talented physician Dr. Jekyll inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil, dubbed Mr. Hyde, who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London.
Much Ado About Nothing Ages 11-17
Don Pedro and his men return after a war to stay at Leonato’s house. Benedick continues a prickly relationship with Leonato’s niece, Beatrice. Both solemnly declare they will never marry. Claudio falls in love with Hero, Leonato’s daughter. Don Pedro agrees to woo Hero for Claudio, at a reception that evening. Don John, Pedro’s bastard brother, plots to do some wickedness.
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Talkback With Beth and Ron
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Camp is Back…
and we are so excited. We thought this would be a good venue to answer some camper questions unique to this summer. So here goes!
Q. As a returning camper, my camp friends and I are so stoked to be coming back to French Woods after spending the whole year online at school and at home with our parents.
But I am wondering, will we still be able to be in shows this summer?
A. Of course! The theater schedule is shaping up nicely. We are very excited about this summer’s show selections. We’ve been posting them by session in the Performer and you can find the list of Session 3 shows in this edition. Next month we will recap all the shows for the summer.
Q. I heard that many of our favorite counselors won’t be returning because they are from countries outside of the US. Is this true?
A. It is true that some of our dedicated staff will have to skip this year due to travel restrictions and we will miss them too. But rest assured, we continue to hire quality staff and we will have an incredible group of dedicated counselors and teachers.
Q. I am new to French Woods. I know there are a lot of shows each session. Could you explain what I am eligible to be in or audition for?
A. Of the shows that are offered some are designated for campers ages 11 to 17 and some are for campers 11 through 14; one each session is for ages 11 and 12 and some are for our youngest campers up to age 11. We’ve always recommended that you audition for all the shows in your age group. And remember, anyone auditioning for the musicals is assured to be cast in a show.
Q. So, what will auditions look like this summer?
A. In any other year, auditions are an opportunity for you to meet our staff and for them to meet you. But at least for 1st Session, we will be asking our campers to send in their auditions via YouTube.
In the same way we do live auditions, it is a good idea to prepare about 30 seconds or 16 bars of a song with accompaniment if possible. Don’t panic if you’ve never performed before. If you have a good voice, can talk loud enough to be heard, and show a little bit of enthusiasm, you have as much chance as anyone in getting a good part.
We are creating a “Theater Audition Form” on your CampIn Touch dashboard where you will enter the YouTube URL. If you also are auditioning for a drama, we will have a ‘side’ on the CampIn Touch dashboard that you can read from and make a separate recording. There is an additional space to enter it on the Theater Audition Form. Session 1 campers should send in their YouTubes no earlier than May 25th and no later than June 9th.
It is our hope that later in the summer, we may be able to return to our traditional in-person auditions and casting.
Q. A Follow-Up Question: How will you know it’s me in the audition?
A. At the beginning of your recording be sure to have a placard in front of you with your name and age on it. Remember to print clearly. You might want to take a look at Ron’s audition technique podcast at at https://youtu.be/TEsGG4KO8TY. I to see what we are looking for in an audition.
Q. What about call backs? How will that work?
A. We still will do call backs in person at camp. They will be done in small groups in the Pavilion, which is an open-air space.
Q. Will we be rehearsing with masks?
A. It is possible that the first few days of rehearsal, we will be rehearsing with masks. It depends on the size of the cast, the director and the rehearsal space. Be sure to take a look at our 2021 Packing List so you are equipped with everything you need!
Q. I heard we can no longer bring our cell phones. How will we take director and/or other notes during rehearsals?
A. Be sure to bring a notebook, pencil and highlighter. We are going ‘old school’.
Q. Will our parents be able to see our performances?
A. We have canceled visiting days for Session 1, but we are arranging for parents to have the ability to stream the shows. We will share the specifics of how and when to do so as we get closer to camp. Conversely, all campers will have the opportunity to see the shows in-person, which is really great.
We have not yet made a determination for the rest of the summer because changes to protocols are fluid. If we have visiting, instead of two Festival Days, it will be one day. It will be for Parents only and for those who have proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Ron: Well Beth, how do you think our Talkback session went today?
Beth: This was a great idea Ron, and I think we should keep this going. Any camper that has a camp 2021 question can submit it to our special email: CamperQuestions@frenchwoods.com
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This has been the season of the Virtual Camp Fair.
'Normally' during the winter months, members of our staff travel all around the country and internationally to meet with prospective families and to participate in Camp Fairs where we bring photo books, banners, and reading materials to enhance our camp presentations. This winter, we've had the advantage, (yes, the advantage!) to not just showcase French Woods, but to have those families 'meet' Ron, Beth, Michael, Rose, Robson, Darryn, Errick, Brian, Chef Ryan, Nurse Jill, Magic Larry, Mark Chapin, Carolyn and me. How great it was for them to put a face to the position and hear directly from all of us. Yes it was on Zoom, but we had a short video, we created power points and at the very end showed a piece of a previous Side by Side concert with the New York Pops. All those mentioned above participated and familes could ask questions and everyone benefited by hearing both the questions and the answers.
In the same way, we also 'met' with families whose children were signed up for the first time for 2020, but did not have the chance to experience camp last summer. We will be offering more Zoom Info Sessions after the Easter and Passover holidays so watch for an email if you are interested or give us a call in the office.
We will be doing special Info Sessions for families registered for camp regardless if this is your first year or your tenth! These sessions will be done by Session. The Session 1 meeting will be first of course and in April, so again, watch your email for the invitation.
Rose and I, along with our furry family members, Bella and Shelby, will be driving up to camp in 5 1/2 short weeks. We miss you all terribly and look forward to our reunion with all of you. Just remember it's 78 days till Session 1 and 97 days till Session 2.
Won't be long now,
Isaac
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Lianne Ohayon was selected for the second year to lead the SING! production at Stuyvesant high school for the entire SophFrosh team. Recently she served as the producer of the school's virtual theater production of Head Over Heels. Additionally, she is a regular contributor to the Arts & Entertainment section of The Spectator, Stuyvesant’s newspaper.
Thomas Day was a singer act from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. He was forced to withdraw during the Quarterfinals when he and his mother contracted COVID-19. He was asked to return as a Wild Card for the Semifinals after recovering from COVID-19 where Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara gave him standing ovations. (Unfortunatley, Thomas did not receive enough votes to advance to the Finals.)
Aaron Farenback-Brateman lives in New York City and currently is finishing a master’s in Educational Theater at NYU. Aaron says about himself, "I love improv, plays, and dressing like a giant bee to introduce shows"...at camp.
Peter Lopez recently received an acceptance letter to the BFA Acting program from Carnegie Mellon University. The letter included, "Your auditions were among the strongest we saw this year, and this notification is an acknowledgment of your talent, artistic achievement and the faculty’s confidence in your potential."
Noah Brick, high school freshman, was cast as "The Young Man," a lead role in the White Plains High School virtual winter play, Sweet-and-Twenty.
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CIT/Leadership Program Update
We continue to meet with our CIT's on Zoom. We had our first Impact Artist™ Entertainment for Change workshop at the beginning of March! Let me know if you missed it and if you'd like us to email you the link for the recording. One of the highlights was the opening Chat waterfall that included: "Best piece of advice you've ever received?" Answers came 'pouring' in. Here are a few:
Just be yourself bc nobody has the time to judge you anyways
let it go
Dream big, Don’t Quit- Mo Rocca
You have nothing to prove only something to share
Be excellent to each other, and party on dudes
Embarrassment is not real, you can do whatever you want
no one can beat you at being you
Pretend that mom’s watching
Anything is possible
show me your friends and I will show you your future
make time to breathe
What other people say about me is none of my business
be someone that your 13 year old self would admire
everybody makes mistakes - Hannah montana
be your unique self!!
when ever something seems the scariest that's when u do it
The meaning of life is to give it meaning
Life is a game, play it to win, enjoy it along the way, and pick your teammates wisely
Do what makes you happy, not what other people tell you should make you happy
at the end of the day, you’re the only person you have to impress
Nothing outside of you can help you in any kind of lasting way unless you´re waiting for an organ
People hurt others when they’re hurt, never take things personally
In show biz, if you're early, you're on time, if you're on time, you're late, and if you're late, you're fired
More and more teen campers are signing up for this special leadership program. We are offering it to single session teens 15 and up as CIT's and as a Major activity for teens younger than that.
Our next workshop will feature Carolyn doing some in-the-bunk training for our Supers and
program protocols and expectations for the 1st and 2nd years. Keep tuned for the dates.
And remember...We want our CITs to want to be empowered by offering them the opportunity to BE the change by BEING an Impact Artist™ and amplifying their youth voices.
Please email cit@frenchwoods.com for all questions, comments or concerns.
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Important Online Forms and Documents
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It is time to get started on your camp forms regardless of which session(s) your child(ren) is registered for!
Forms and documents are accessible online. The forms you submit online become attached automatically to your child’s file. Please, please help us by getting this done timely. Fill out your Bunk Requests now.
ONLINE INSTRUCTIONS: Please go to frenchwoods.com and in the toolbar, click on “Login”. From there you will enter the parent email address that we have on file for you. If you have not yet had the chance to sign into CampIn Touch or if you forgot your password, click on retrieve/set password. Once you get your password, you will be directed to your Forms Dashboard. Click on Forms and Documents and there you will see two types of forms - the ones with a barcode icon must be printed out, filled in and signed by either the physician and/or parent.
The Registration, Physician’s Exam, Health Care Provider OTC’s, Parent Medical Authorization and Meningitis Vaccination forms are all forms to be printed out. Once completed and signed, you can scan the completed/signed forms into your computer and preferably upload each form on to your dashboard or you can fax them back to the designated faxback number on the bottom of the forms (845) 468-7078. (It is important that you use this faxback number only to faxback forms.)
The other forms type has a computer monitor icon. Those are all web-based forms and can be filled in online. The Application, Bunk Requests, Transportation, Health History, Immunizations, Activity Preference, Tennis lesson signup, Race for the Arts and Verification forms are all web-based forms. Please call the office if you need any assistance at all. We are here to help you. (607) 637-8400
Below the Forms and Documents for your camper you will find Forms and Documents for Your Family. There you will find important information including a revised 2021 packing list and information about CampMeds. If your child takes medication, New York state requires individual packaging of all meds. CampMeds can help you take care of this requirement. Please note that no child will be admitted to camp without a completed medical form signed by your physician. In addition, all immunizations must be documented. These are New York State Health Department rules that we must abide by.
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We have a new vendor for official French Woods gear at Frenchwoods.jollyquill.com check them out and take advantage of their opening days sale with some limited availability items for up to 50% off.
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Hey Frenchwoodite,
This is clearly a year of transition. Here it is the middle of March and the picture changes daily. Let me give you our current thinking.
Session one will operate as a closed unit. Staff will go through orientation and, in the process, quarantine before the kids arrive. We are hopeful of having the entire staff vaccinated and believe this is a real possibility.
THERE WILL BE NO VISITING IN SESSION ONE.
ALL PERFORMANCES WILL BE STREAMED and every family will have the chance to see their children perform.
As of this point, we have made no decision about sessions 2-3-4 or 5. We will decide in the next two weeks. Should we have visiting, all visitors must show proof of vaccination or a medical or religious exemption. Please look for an email in about two weeks to clarify. A program schedule will follow as well.
It is our goal to make this summer an enriching and fun experience for every camper. We would love to receive your input. Don’t hesitate to email or call. Above all, stay safe. We are looking forward to seeing you this summer.
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The Performer is Your Newsletter
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The Performer is only as good as the contributions we receive from the French Woods community. Let us know what is going on in your life.
Your camp friends love to hear what you are doing.
email admin@frenchwoods.com, call 607-637--8400 or write us at P.O. Box 770100, Coral Springs, FL 33077-0100.
We love hearing from you.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
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