The French Woods Performer Newsletter March 2022

The Performer Newsletter

 
March 2022
 
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts Logo
 
CAmp is Back!

Dear French Woods Families

 
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Tristan, Michael & I will be leaving for camp before we know it and we are so excited to get back up there!

There is nothing we look forward to more than the upcoming summer season and this is going to be a great one. We put together a fabulous show schedule and we even will be debuting some new shows this summer. I am so excited that we have special permission to debut The Prom this summer and I will direct it.

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 and PAs, particularly in session two. Please call us if you are interested.

See you soon!
Beth


March Birthdays

 

March 1
Alyssa Azeke
Charlotte Casella
Cleo Maass
Gracie Mannheim
Kasey Luong
Maria Nelen
Michelangelo Alvarez
Sophia Mobley

March 2
Anne Nodelman
Eloise Calatozzo
Grace Heraty
Hannah Bowman
Hayley Brick
Keira Sibomana
Leo Mogavero
Oscar Heyman
Reece Kirschenbaum
Rosalind Viola Hoover


March 3

Emily Beaird
Eva Edelman
Molly McClamma
Rebecca Kleinhans
Simona Freed
William Goldsman

March 4
Alaina McCarthy
Gianna Mainor
Haley Ruthman
Idara Valdez-Starks
Liat Skolnick
Luca Aghababaie
Michael Mintz
Victoria Meier
Victoria Scott-Gonzalez
Ximena Manzano

March 5
Austin North
Dakota Diehl
Imogen Kurtz
Lola Nagelberg
Mark Davidson
Oceania Schaay

March 6
Catherine Emily Cunningham
Daniel Vayserfirov
Danny Baumfeld
Sebastian Arias
Sophia Cygielman

March 7
Alexis Kagan
Charlotte Reiser
Josephyne Schaefer
Lauren Gilder
Lulu Anderson
Maggie Duncan
Maxwell Frank
Uma Scher

March 8
Andrew Cohen
Avery Dnistrian
Julian Peccia
Kai Piccone
Susana Sebourne

March 9
Ari Feinberg
Belen Rayhill
Gaspard Viros
Grace Nagle
Honora Muratori
Liam Ruthman
Sienna Speed
Vivian Dinota

March 10
Arella Wright
Ellewillow Campagna
Harrison Morgan
Julia Schwing
Justin Gulbranson
Kieran Salvatierra
Nina Oberfest
Nova Castillo




March 11
Benjamin Fertig
Ella Rae Gill
Isaiah Gabriel
Luke Corbin
Sasha Reich
Sophia Spalten

March 12
Chloe Contreras
Greta Friedman
John Gnagy
Stella Swade

March 13
Ava Small
Aviva Kramer
Bella Pianko
Grayson Aspen
Jane Kaufman
Julia Freedman
Katherine Sullivan
Lily Thomas
Ruby Nieman

March 14
Abby Langer
Hannah Landsman
Oleksandr Zubko
Penelope Stern
Zimu Qiu

March 15
Alessandra Keeley
Charlotte Coppola
Daniel Pena-Chadee
Eleanor Winters
Elliot Miller
Emmanuelle Rave-Meir
Keera Lehane
Ronan O'Sullivan
Ruby Farmer
Sydney Morakis


March 16
Alessandra Baldacchino
Christopher St-Louis
Holden Shepherd
Leah Glazer
Meera Shroff Feldman
Siena McKelvey

March 17
Jesse Ehrlich
Madeline Dick
Maggie Moroney
Mika Prissert
Morgan Krakauskas

March 18
Ardyn Wales
Autumn Wadhwa
Margaret Salvatierra
Margit Romero
Mushka Seidner
Natalie Hovav
Samantha Alper

March 19
Akiv Shah
Anna Vogelbaum
Bingene Gonzalez
Eva Lindveit
Gideon Miller
Jacob Gordon
James Wallace
Lilly Gordon

March 20
Afeni Collins-Johnston
Alessandra Rosenthal
Alyssa Franck
Arden Maynard
Delilah Shack
Harper Maynard
Leopold Smith
Sienna Withers
Sophie Cabrera





March 21
Aksinya Artemenkova
Chaya Friedman
Emma Ehrlich
Hendrix Tewlow
Hilton Rodriguez
Nancy Veloudis

March 22
Chloe Lucich
Ella Fielding
Phoebe Halley
Willa Halley
William Muller
Sophie Philips
Zimu Qiu

March 23
Caleb Norman
Julia Lambert
Katie Young
Natalie Rubin
Rafi Popowitz
Roderick Greenfield

March 24
Amelia Wright-Frost
Elise Dehlin
Lillian Walker
Maxwell Cohen
Quincy Sanchez-Diffee

March 25
Daliha Polissaint
Delmarie Ortiz
Elleanor Honneus
Giacomo Harris
Gwendolyn Rosenstein
Kenrick Boateng
Valeska Damon

March 26
Cole Smith
Estelle Allen
Genevieve Alonso
Laney Rakofsky

March 27
Colin Sherer
Danielle Galatti
Dexter da Cunha
Harrison Sherer
Lucas Petitto
Sofia Capparelli
Tabitha Meyer

March 28
Alexander Delgado
Alexis Garcia
Andre Kolak
Benyapa Sherman
Owen Kuca
Zachary Udin

March 29
Carmen Rose Lacosta Kolsrud 
Emily Stepan-Jackson 
Harold Hurley 
Isabella Leon 
Jessi Kaplan 
Lilyanna Meyer 
Noa Zacks 
Pablo de la Vega 
Rebecca Mestel 
Vaughn Oberhuber

March 30
Caden Gonzalez
Liam Noble
Owen Enslein

March 31
Millie Tomppert
Paige St. Claire
Sadie Hepinstall
Stephanie Cruz

 



Just Registered (to 3.17.22)

 

Ada Andrews
Abbey Kass
Abby Carbonneau
Abigail Cochran
Abigail Satzman
Adam Khaykin
Addilynn Fulks
Addison Rogers
Adrienne Elsberg
Aislynn McHugh
Alana Ma
Alessandra Baldacchino

Alexa Seder
Alexandra Paradise
Alexandria Lovering
Alexis Kagan
Alyssa Azeke
Amanda Leung
Ammon Wormuth
Amy Zambrano
Anabel Quittman
Anna Delale-O'Connor
Annika Peachman
Anson Pitts
Antonella Ventosa Campa
Arabella Frost
Aubrey Goldstein
Audrey Budabin
August Schumann
Aurelia Mcdonald
Autumn Redd
Ava Anjarwala
Ava Rose Di John
Ava Tucker
Bailey Moseley-Bennett
Bailey Tuzzo
Basile Pallier
Beatrice Sheridan
Beckett Leslie-Jones
Beckett Smith
Belen Rayhill
Benjamin Edelson
Benyapa Sherman
Bianca Treloar
Brandon Firth
Brooke Flueck
Brooke Gatto
Carina Davis
Carly Weiss
Caroline Dubuque
Carter Klein
Carter Wormuth
Charles Whitaker
Charlotte Kessler
Charlotte Wells
Chloe Contreras
Christopher Inkenhaus
Clover Cashman
Coco Kief
Cora Owen
Cosima Nicolo-Jones
Dakota Defrancesco
Daniel Pena-Chadee
Danny Baumfeld
Diya Gupta
Dylan Prime
Eden Peters
Elaine Rubin
Eli Jacobson
Eli Mertzel
Elisa Nazem
Eliza Relyea
Elizabeth Smaguine
Elizabeth Tate
Ella Davis
Ella Woodson







Elle Flueck
Elliot Stack
Ellis Brown
Emma Ramirez
Ethan Roy
Eva Donahey
Evangelina Winckler
Evangeline Rayhill Perez
Fernanda Mier Zamora
Francesca Riccardo
Gabriella Watkins
Gemma Pitts
Gianella Hartman
Gianina Lasky
Gianna Aubry
Ginevra De Bernardis
Graham England
Gwendolyn Rosenstein
Hannah Landsman
Hannah Schmiechen
Hudson You
Imogen Kurtz
Imogen Lisowski
Irene Arzu
Isabella Doogan
Isabella LaRocca
Jack Sobolewski
Jacob Dewey
Jacob Palma
Jaden Sabathia
Jake Lazar
Jasmine You
Jean Luciano Rossi
Jenna Dewey
Jeremiah Landsman
Jillian Gulbranson
Jolie Glezerman
Jonah Kinsella
Joshua Dewey
Julian Green
Julian Kuri Manzutto
Juliana Huff
Juliet Scott
Juliet Thomas
Juliette Nahman
Juniper Smith
Justin Gulbranson
Justin Ledo
KeaLani Garrity
Kerala Sovak
Kiran Sovak
Kortney Debride
Kunlaya Wang
Kyana Momah
Laila Kuri Manzutto
Lavinia Capra
Lawrence Flinn
Leila Pohl
Leila Yatak
Leo Herman
Lila Hoffman
Lila Hone
Lilliana Soto
Lilly Baumfeld
Lilly Burnside
Lily Siegel
Lilyanna Meyer
Lincoln Baldwin
Lincoln De Pietro
Louisa Eichelberger
Lucia Roth
Luke Neuer
Lya Romero
Madeleine "Madi" Cardillo
Madeleine Garcia
Madeline Maguire
Margaret Balafas



Margaux Brown
Maria Delgado Moore
Marni Kofsky
Mary Ann Wright
Maximilian Duravcevic
Maya Brenner
Mei Rogers
Merus Brown
Mia OReilly
Micah Rubin
Michaela Murray
Miles Wheatland
Monique Hightower-Gaskin
Morgen Thompson
Natalia Rayhill Perez
Nate Rimalovski
Nia Fuller-Hammond
Nicalette Aubry
Noelle Morales
Nora Black
Oleksandr Zubko
Oliver Cohen
Oliver Florin
Olivia Shar
Oscar Saltalamacchia
Owen Kuca
Pareesa Nazem
Patrick Kelley
Petra Ogrodnek
Pilar Lu-Heda
Pippa Daykin
Rachel Sapozhnina
Ray Schambra Stevens
Rebecca Browning
Reid Ryland
Roman Gelbard
Rose Crowson
Ruby Schneider
Ruth Seneviratne
Ryder Lago
Sadie Fu
Sadie Wynne
Sage Tobias
Sammy Baumfeld
Sammy Meskill
Sarah Sofia Mesa Hernandez
Sasha Appel
Scarlett Gitterman
Sebastian Appel
Shachar "Dawn" Biton
Shira Brener
Sienna Cekirge
Simone Levy
Sofia Gonzalez
Sofie Poliakoff
Sophia Calne
Sophie Caridi
Sophie Redvers
Stella Farrell
Story Lund
Surabhi Jain
Sydney Glover
Sydney Lovering
Sylvia Cashman
Sylvie Jacobs
Teagan McHugh
Tomas Medina
Violet Cohen
Vivian Colburn
Vivian Goldstein
Wyatt Dnistrian
Wyatt Hungerbuehler
Zack Schambra Stevens
Zahari Fine



Session 3 2022 Shows - (subject to change)

 

101 Dalmatians  --   Ages 7-9
In a loving home in the city of London, Dalmatian parents, Pongo and Perdita happily raise their Dalmatian puppies, until the monstrous Cruella De Vil plots to steal them for her new fur coat! Join all the dogs of London, as they daringly rescue the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen. With a delightfully fun score, lovable characters, and one of the most deliciously evil villains in the Disney canon, this stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight.

Bugsy Malone
-- Ages 9-11
This pie-flinging, pinstripe-wearing, pint-sized classic features Fat Sam, who runs one of the most popular speakeasies in town, that is in danger of being closed down by his “business rival,” Dandy Dan. Enter baby-faced Bugsy Malone,  a definite asset to Fat Sam. Unfortunately, Bugsy also has caught the eye of Sam’s girlfriend Tallulah – though he’s set his designs on the showgirl Blousey Brown.

Let it Be -- Ages 9-11
A Celebration of the Music of The Beatles.

Willy Wonka --  Ages 9-11
Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family film.

Fancy Nancy - Ages 9-11
Six-year-old Nancy is excited to experience what the world has to offer and to celebrate the differences that make everyone unique.

Do Re Me  --  Ages 11- 12
The reformed gangster Hubie Cram is trying to make it big in the juke box and music promotion business. However, when things don't go as planned, gangsters re-enter his life causing further troubles to his marriage. The only thing he does succeed at is making a star out of a young singer.

Be More Chill   -- Ages 11-14
It's just your atypical love story – a guy (he wants to fit in), a girl (she wants to be noticed), and the supercomputer inside the guy's head that tells him what to do (it wants to take over the world!). According to The New Yorker, "If you fed 'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'Mean Girls' to the 'Little Shop of Horrors' plant, you'd get BE MORE CHILL." In other words, it's both a relatable tale about how far we'll go for a little validation… and an otherworldly delight about a loveable geek and his very invasive (im)plant.

The Lightning Thief  -- Ages 11-14
The musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who newly discovers that he is a demigod and goes on an epic quest to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and to prevent a war between the Greek gods.

Goosebumps  --  Ages 11-14
Brooke and Zeke are thrilled to be starring in a mysterious show called The Phantom, and not the least bit frightened by the old legend that the play is cursed. But when strange, spooky messages start appearing, and a masked menace starts disrupting rehearsals, they begin to wonder: what if there really is a ghost haunting their school, determined to stop the show?!

Wizard of Oz -- Ages 11-14
Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas until a cyclone arrives, and picks up her house, her dog and Dorothy herself, depositing them all in the land of Oz. Things in Oz are strange and beautiful, but Dorothy just wants to get back home. She’s helped by the Good Witch of the North, but she’s also in trouble with the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks revenge for the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, for which she blames Dorothy.

Fiddler on the Roof
-- Ages 11-17
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, culture and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

TBA -- Ages 11-17

On The Town  -- Ages 11-17
With a fluid integration of drama, comedy, jazz, classical and popular ballads, On the Town stands as one of the great innovative works in the history of musical theater. Three sailors, Gabey, Chip and Ozzie, 'let loose' on a 24-hour pass in New York and the Big Apple will never be the same!

Legally Blonde Ages 11-17
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

Romeo and Juliet Ages 11-17
This classic love story of star crossed lovers by William Shakespeare has received many interpretations and settings. It served as the basis for “West Side Story.”  The battle between the mighty Montegue and Capulet families has entranced audiences for centuries.

Two Weeks With the Queen Ages 11-17
Colin has a mission. He wants to speak to the Queen about his brother Luke who has cancer. Cousin Alistair would like to help but stress brings on his dandruff. Colin takes the lock off the back door and heads out alone.

Isaac's Corner

 
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This winter, many of our new French Woods families were able to participate in one of our online info sessions that allowed them to “meet” many of our dedicated staff, learn all about French Woods and what we offer their children. Parents had the chance to ask questions and everyone benefited by hearing both their questions and our answers.

One of the concerns we heard is that many first-time camp parents are concerned about homesickness. I assure you that our counselors are trained and our long-time staff is experienced in helping our campers (and parents) overcome homesickness. Here is a short video that addresses homesickness and how to be our partners in making your child’s stay at camp successful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek0zvv6dlqg  Please listen to it. It is 9 minutes 'short' and includes examples, tips and the means to help you feel comfortable and confident that we have your child's best interest at heart.

What comes next…

For new campers - we welcome you and your family to join us for a pre-camp get together up at French Woods (199 Bouchoux Brook Road, Hancock, NY 13783) on Saturday, May 21st, from 10:30 AM until 4 PM. There you will have an opportunity to meet the directors, head counselors, our program director, and the rest of our administrative team. There will be an informational session in one of our beautiful theaters, a tour of the camp facilities, sample activities for the children and a luncheon prepared by our Executive Chef. (We will post videos of the day if you are unable to attend.)

Please RSVP by calling (607) 637- 8400 or you can email us at visiting@frenchwoods.com and let us know how many children and how many adults will be joining us. Family members must be vaccinated to attend unless a valid exemption has been submitted to camp. Everyone will have to submit a negative rapid test taken within 24 hours of arrival at camp. At-home tests are allowed.

Just remember ALL - it's 79 days till Session 1 and 97 days till Session 2.

Won't be long now,

Isaac


Camper & Staff News

 

Sophie Redvers was cast as Brooke Windham in Applause New York's production of Legally Blonde in January and was cast as Trix the Aviatrix as well as being named Dance Captain for their current production of The Drowsy Chaperone.

Alyssa Emily Marvin will play the title role in the world premiere of a new play “Edie Saves the Birds” this April at Theatre East in New York.

Andrew Adams was cast as Javert in the Fordham Prep production of Les Miserables. He feels Les Miz will be the greatest event and accomplishment in his life to-date.

Olivia "Liz" Woloz is excited to be playing Yvette in her high school's production of Clue this spring.

Aaron Harris was just cast as a munchkin in a professional production of The Wizard of Oz at the Lyric Theater in Marietta, GA.  He also is playing King Julien in Madagascar Jr. at the Orbit Arts Academy.  Aaron will be honored this year as a Knight of the Arts for music in the Lower School at Pace. 

Congratulations to owner and founder of French Woods, Ron Schaefer, who is being honored on April 25th by the New York Pops. The 39th Birthday Gala Concert is being held at Carnegie Hall followed by a Dinner Dance at the Mandarin Oriental in NYC.  Ron is a long time supporter of the NY Pops Kids On Stage Program.

Alex Boruff (former camper, former video staffer, 2021 horseback superhero) is doing a cabaret on Friday, April 29th at The Duplex Upstairs (21+) in NYC at 9:30 PM. Cat Schaefer will be helping him out on a couple of numbers, and they would love to see some FW rep in the house! Also, it’s Alex's birthday, so more of a reason to come! 



News From Rose

 

#StandWithUkraine
Ellie Titarenko spent 2 summers with us in the Wellness Center while her two children attended camp, just prior to COVID. She is Ukrainian, she lives in Colorado and a year ago founded Arvada West Family Medicine, near Denver. 

In the past few weeks, Ellie spearheaded supply drives that included donations of medical and hygiene supplies that are already benefitting the people of Ukraine. Collaborating with Project C.U.R.E., a not-for-profit that distributes medical supplies to resource-limited communities across the globe, truckloads of donations were shipped to Poland via Elle and her 'team' of volunteers. Project C.U.R.E handles the transportation and makes sure that the donations are used as intended benefitting the  people on the ground in Ukraine.

Ellie continues to collect supplies.  If you are so moved to do so, Ellie gratefully is accepting donations to be forwarded to Ukraine. 10050 Ralston Road, Suite 1, Arvada, CO 80004  Please click here for a list of what is needed.
https://hfwaa.org/sites/default/files/uploads1/ukraine%20list.jpg

Our hearts go out to our own French Woods Families who come to us from Ukraine. Isaac, Errick, Ron & Beth are in touch with them.  We hope we can get the children and staff back to camp this summer. 

             ____________________________________________________________________


Don't forget to sign up for the CIT Retreat that is taking place Memorial Day Weekend.  It is sure to be informative, hands-on and fun!  See camp before camp starts; participate in workshops, meet some like-minded campers, sing around the campfire, mindfulness.

Anyone registered as a 1st Year CIT, 2nd Year CIT, Super CIT or an Upper camper turning at  least 15 before year end who wants to participate is welcome to do so. The cost is $150 to our not-for-profit The Hancock, French-Woods Arts Alliance, Inc. The signup form is on your CampIn Touch dashboard. For more info, please contact me at Rose@frenchwoods.com 



Important Online Forms and Documents

 

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 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  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.

A Note From Ron

 
Talking Camp With Ron Schaefer

Hey Frenchwoodites,

I have such good news. From every indication, 2022 will return to a normal summer’s operation. We will have everything we have come to expect in our fifty-three years of French Woods.

Here's how it will work:
All staff will be vaccinated. Children will be vaccinated, with the exception of those who have filed letters of exemption with us. 
In other words, 99% of our population will be vaccinated. There will be no mask requirements, however, we will require testing both five days before arrival and twenty-four hours before.

Visiting days will be held on camp. All visitors will upload COVID vaccination cards onto their camper's CampIn Touch account or will present letters of exemption at least 2 weeks prior to visiting day. In addition, all visitors must present proof of testing that must have been taken 24 hours before arrival. No mask requirement will be in place for visiting day.

Please note: As the summer gets closer, these rules may change again. 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,  we are looking forward to seeing you this summer. I can’t wait.

Ron

The Performer is Your Newsletter

 

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.

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