French Woods Fe s t i va l o f the Pe r f or ming Ar ts

P E R F O R M E RM a y 2 0 1 2The

I n f o r m i n g T h e F r e n c h W o o d s C o m m u n i t y

In this Issue: • Staff & Camper News • Ron, Isaac & Beth • Packing for camp •2012 Performance schedule!

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Summer Performance Schedule Enclosed!

CAMP IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER !

As many of you know, French W

oods will be

taking select campers to the Broadw

ay’s show, N

ewsies, during the third session of the 2012

summ

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A few spots are still available for the trip. Please

call the Cam

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The French W

oods Family

There are Still Tickets Available!

1 Alexa Francesconi Brigid Ferris Jamie Goetchius Julian Rothschild Lotus Kay Lucy Fraser Luis Fernando Castellanos Remi Waxman Sarah Pudiwitr2 Aaron Cohen Carly Stern Clara Yuste-Golob Clarisa Carrillo Ilana Leviton Jackson Derrick Joshua Ford Lili Mones Olivia “Livi” Woods Zakyah Abbott3 D. Steele Hamme Grace Brakeman Luke Shepard Michael Kendis Molly Schwall Xander Trop 4 Dillan Spector Jacob Cornelius N’dea Jackson Sean Meagher Sophie Beem Vadim Predein5 Dylan Mc Afee Eva Glassman Laurel Albinder6 Abigail Varsos Austin Jaross Borja Del Rio Weinberg Erica Wiener Olivia Lallouz 7 Anabel Greenberg Elizabeth Pullman

Gibson Thomas Jacqueline Hahn Jenna Loomar Olivia Abrams Rachel Levitt 8 Amy Geiger Cristina Severson Emily Hritz Fiona Sherman Jianna Lubotsky Justin Levine Nicholas White9 Julia Crowley Kate Lewis Olivia Lake Skyler Kessenich10 Alexa Silverman Cynthia Thomas Laura Glanz Matilde Serlachius11 Debbie Dobbie Ellie Selden Joseph “Dovy” Ehrenreich Rachel Liss Samantha Ozer Sophie Dobbie Sunny Unger 12 Caitlyn Meagher Hannah Katz Jillian Gershon Julia Levine Madison Garrigus Natalie Baer Sophia Alexander Stephanie Panovska Violet Gautreau13 Jolie Karlin Matthew Weintraub Rachel Penzer Samantha Cordero14 Ariana Ortmann Cayla Werner

Claudia Joppert Daniel Kaseff Emma Flanagan Emma Grace Kelly Lucy Propper Nate Saindon15 Alanna Jacobs Ashley Kobre Caroline Cushner Ethan Lewis Jamie Epstein Jewel Morris Rachel Macnow Saoirse Ryan Sophie Block 16 Caroline Lellouche Julia Kilczewska Kate Mankoff Mariel Becker Pauline Cronin Payton Geller Samuel Geller17 Eli Chazin Julia “Kelly” Poleman Kristina Perroni Maxwell Beer Melanie Mckenzie Peri Denmark Zev Chazin 18 Chelsea Backer David Chodor Emily Cronin Jenna Brause Jory Brodkin Ming-Wei Fasquelle Pippa Cronin Rose Hall Sergey Shemetun19 Macey Keel Matthew Hulatt

Nicholas Helfand Pierre-Louis Meningaud Sabrina Souza

Spencer Barney Tala Chunga 20 Amanda Halpern Antonia Alvarez Asher Muldoon Christy Muok Colton Mitz Cosmo Marcelli Kaden Michaels Olivia Amoruso Peri Bernstein21 Alyssa Dhalla Arzhelenn Tatto Julia Rakin Katie Suffern Sawyer Garrity22 Amari Clark Andrea Sloter Bari Spector Bebe Yaffe Cameron Weiss Ilan Natter Laura Glesby Madeline “Maddy” Weisman Megumi Matsuoka Rachel Corbally Samantha Rubenstein Tierney Glabus23 Bari Bossis Dina Pekelis Julie Dubois Laura Sanz Sophia Michaelson Tyler Rudolph 24 Chloe Cuggino-Zensky David Katchen Ella Cohen Ellen O’neill

Gabriela Guindi Marcie Piller Samantha Stamer Stevie Bovo Thibault Roche25 Emery Schaffer Eric Jacobson Jayden Bell Luke Turner Maicke Bleuze Matthew Prevor Robert Kayton26 Elizabeth Gaba Julia White 27 Angelika Alberstadt Edwin Unzalu Julia Simon Sam Willner 28 Aidan Dove Benjamin Zenker Chloe Shane Connor Zenker Ella Pepper 29 Jade Diskin Nicole Kessler Rebecca Siegel30 Abigail Miller Carmen Cisneros Chloe Barshay Floria Auerbach Francesca Moreira Isabella Miller Jessica Yeager Kayleigh Foley Noa Shenkar Rachel Tucker Sophia Jrolf Tamar Shenkar31 Austin Phillips Marcel Frederic Olivia Bast Sarah Warshavsky

In just another ten short days Barbara and I leave for camp and year number forty-three. It seems as I get older I enjoy it more. We are working to complete the work schedule for this year. The “new canteen” and all new bathrooms on the boy’s campus top the list. It is now thirty-eight days until camp, but who’s counting.See you soon, PS. Bunk placement requests must be received by June 1st. I have been working long hours placing everyone where request-ed, but late requests make it very difficult. Please let us know as soon as possible.

And Away We Go!The New York office will open on May 15th. The Florida office will remain open until May 16th. Please direct all correspondence to:

French Woods Festival P.O. Box 609 Hancock, NY 13783 845-887-5600 - Phone 845-887-5075 - Fax

This will be your address at camp!When you get your bunk number please inform all those who will be writing to put this after your name. This will greatly ease the sorting of mail at camp and make it less likely that anything will be misplaced.

Spring Cleaning!Have you done your spring house cleaning yet? The French Woods Costume Shop can always use your unwanted items. Clothes (especially children’s sizes), shoes, hats, wigs, costume jewelry and even old drapes are extremely useful. If you have any donations please call us to arrange for pickup in the NY area. Your discards might play a starring role in a future French Woods production.

Dear Frenchwoodite, First Time Parents: Urgent!

Every child attending camp for the first time leaves with apprehension. Make your child’s experience a positive one. His or her success or failure is totally in your hands.Every parent wants what’s best for their child. What’s best is having a child who has self-esteem and is able to function in a supportive and friendly climate, without the constant need of his or her parent’s presence. When a child does not finish what they have started there is a certainty of failure. Taking a child home early leads not to rescue but to future loss. Here are some simple tips to follow:

• Let your child know before they leave that they will have a wonderful time and that you love them.

• Do Not have a trial period or give the child any reason to think they will fail.

• On the first sign of homesickness call the camp director at once before talking to the child.

• Write letters & emails asking about the child’s experiences at camp. He does not need to know his dog misses him or his sister now rules the house.

• Most important, work with the camp director to make sure your child succeeds at camp.

We are here to help your child succeed. Help us! See you this summer, Ron, Isaac, and Beth 800-634-1703 admin@frenchwoods.com

Aaron GoidelAbigail SimonAbigail VarsosAdam EstesAidan VeldsmanAlberto MestreAlex FerrandizAlexa KernerAlexander KomarovAlexander KozarAlexander RohatynAlexandra BrownAlexandra CasteeleAlexis DelafontaineAlexis ShermanAlika SaxenaAlisa LukyanovaAmari ClarkAnders KrongAndy GarciaAnett CherkasskyAriana GibbArzhelenn TattoAshley KobreAshley SternAva WeissBari BossisBenjamin BoccuzziBenjamin WarshavskyBrian LusterBrittany ParrottCarla Pena SingsonCaroline Goldenberg

Carter GuthrieCasey LinehanCassidy LlerasCharlie LennonChristy MuokConstance KalpakisD. Steele HammeDaisy RudinDaniel KamenDaniel KlugmanDanielle HurvichDaniil PerlinDelilah BelmontDevon PincusDrew SchafferDylan Mc AfeeEli JacobsonEliana VargasElisa AlonsoElizabeth RoytbergElizaveta PerlinaEllen O’neillElsalene AkkermanEmily PrendergastEmily RubinsteinEmma PetersenEmma Genevieve SomersEric GrigorofErin HeschEstee JaillonEthan LewisEtienne Auger

Evan CarbogninEvan SilvermanFiona ShermanFiorella BianchiFreddie LeightonGabbi BarkerGabe LevinGabriella PalmisanoGabriella PontoneGabrielle AugerGeorgia RichGeri RossGillian BeerGrace PeselliGregoire IppolitoGuido Maria RossiHalle GavinHampton KeithHannah PalmisanoIan KellerInes PaillardIsabella McclelandIsabelle ChernyshevJacob CorneliusJacob HermanJames SvendsenJanelle VanesJessica SmithJessie LobocchiaroJoanna KilczewskaJoaquin Berdonces

Joel PuenteJulia BogdanoffJulia ElkaimJulia GoldbergJulia KilczewskaJulian RayJulien CastaldiKameron BadgersKarina MakarovaKate MankoffKatie LoganKaylie LawlorKrisjanis CerbulisLaura TylinskiLea ByrnesLedo MajohannesburgnolisLeon CsangoLiel SterlingLucas BenitoLucia PacettiLyla Lee JonesMadeline DickMarcel FredericMariia UsovaMartina SantosMatthias Falzon YoungMaximilian SharpeMegan TateMerrill SteketeeMicaela DiamondMichael Rubin

Michael SelffMichael Gabriel Pena SingsonMiles BassMolly SchwallN’dea JacksonNadezhda Thomas-KomissarovNeil MancusoNicholas RubinsteinNicole OdzerNicole ShefNikita TretyakovNikita VernidoubNyachombanyathiira Muchai-KinyaOmar BrunsonOscar LogeaisOszkar NosekPhoebe GrupperPhoebe SimonQuinn SheppardRachel SvendsenRachel WarrenRaphael Gould-SchwartzRaphael WegenerReed ByrnesRegina Gomez GarciaRob AscherRobert KlugmanSabrina GenoveseSam AzbelSam Goidel

Sam RosenkranzSamantha PhillipsSamuel Kelly-CohenSarah BerlettiSasha AparicioSeana BruffSergey ShemetunShelby WiselyShira WiezelSofia RubinSophia CapelliniSteven EstesSydney DavisTate FranklinTaylor ReschkeTess HigginsTristan HernandezTruman DunnTyler CleavelandValentina SanchezVictoria LopezWilliam MandelbaumWinona MurphyYuliy PerlinZaimia KingsberryZoe HalaczinskyZoeth Chalat

Just Registered!

May Birthdays!

Camper E-MailEvery camper and staff member has an e-mail account through our own camp mail server. The address is simple: firstnamelastname@frenchwoodscamp.com. We encourage you to use this system as the most direct way of communicating with those at camp. Email accounts will be active shortly after the campers arrive at camp.

So are you ready to go yet? I thought that I would take this month’s newsletter as an opportunity to talk about the Theater department.

The first day after everyone’s arrival each session, we have what we call a six-minor day. During our six-minor day, we

give everyone at camp the chance to tryout for the theatrical and circus shows and go to a class placement for music and dance.

At breakfast that morning we’ll announce a theater orientation where we will explain all the details of the theater department for that session. We’ll go over how and where to audition. Be sure to audition for the musicals; so long as you audition for the musicals in your age group, you are guaranteed a part in a show! You may have more than one theater audition that you are eligible to go to on that day. Go to as many as you can, because that way you have the best chance for a better part (since you’re auditioning for so many different roles). In addition to the Musical Auditions, we have a separate audition for each session’s dramas. For that audition, you don’t prepare a thing. We’ll give you a part of a script to read. You’ll get a chance to go over it while waiting for your turn to audition and after you read for us that’s it for the primary auditions. Pretty simple, huh?

While it’s fine to bring a prepared audition song with sheet music for accompaniment up to camp, “Happy Birthday” is a good choice too. Just sing any song that you are comfortable with and remember, we’ve got to hear everyone, so don’t worry if you only get to sing a little bit of your song. If we need to hear more, we have call back auditions later on in the day (but I’ll talk more about that later)!

While your doing all of this theater auditioning, be sure that you head over to circus, dance and music too!

If you want to be in the circus show there’s a quick circus placement. There are also music and dance placements to determine what level of classes to put you in. Don’t worry about preparing for those either – everyone who wants to be involved will be.

Now that you’ve done your initial audition, we have one more round of “call-backs” in the theater department. Sometimes the first audition isn’t enough to really get to see what role you’d be best suited for, so we call back a few kids for every show so that we can better determine what role they would best be suited for. Don’t worry if you don’t get called back! Not getting a call back doesn’t mean you won’t get a role. Sometimes we were sure the first time and you’re already set with a part on the cast list, but check the call back lists just in case.

It’s a long day, but it will be worth it. The following morning we will put up the cast lists in time for you to sign up for rehearsal on your Major Activity sheet. If you have any questions, ask them when you get to camp! We’re all here to help.

Remember: No pressure! Everybody can be involved!

See you at Camp!

The Professional Tennis Academy staff is comrised of nationally ranked college players from all over the US. Every camper is given personalized attention to help them achieve their maximum tennis potential. Additionally, private lessons are available for $35 per hour. Please call Arup Dutt, USPTA Professional (561) 634-0097 with questions or to sign up in advance for a guaranteed spot.

Professional Tennis Academy

I welcome you to French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. Your children are in for a remarkable experience at a place where magic happens; where wonderment is the norm, and growth, learning, and fun are the goals. As you all know, I am one of the directors of French Woods. My job is to make sure that every single French Woods camper gets the best possible experience imaginable at camp. I want every camper to feel special. I want every camper to reach beyond their grasp. I want every camper to achieve the success that comes with the exposure to the arts and beyond. I want each and every child to feel accomplished and self-assured. I want every camper to have fun in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. Fun is the foundation upon which courage, self-respect and responsibility are built. I am there to make sure that all of the above happens for your children. I want them to “get everything” that they came to French Woods to do. By taking care of our campers “one child at a time,” we feel we can give each

camper the individual attention that he or she needs. I need your help to start your children on their way to a successful summer experience. Please let your children know that no matter what they need, they should simply speak up. They will have counselors, head counselors, other significant adults and me. Tell them that if they need anything at all, “they should go to Isaac.” If you, as parents, need me, I am always available to you by phone. Please feel free to call and ask for me. Your child’s head counselor can also help keep you informed about your child’s activities, programs and general camp experience.I am looking forward to having your children at French Woods for many years to come. This is just the first step in a wondrous journey of a life-time. Your child’s adventure begins this summer.

See you all very soon. Sincerely,

Isaac’s CornerThat’s the news and we’re outta here!

After many years of summer camp packing experience, we can tell you there are definite tricks to the trade. We have sent you a clothing list as part of the parents guide, and you can also see it online at: www.frenchwoods.com/packing_guide.htm.

Some Tips:• Put your child’s full name on everything you send. You can find links on our website to companies that sell labels to make this job easier. At the end of the summer, we will mail home anything that gets left behind, IF it has a campers first name and last name on it. Please, no abbreviations or Initials.• Please use a soft sided duffel bag, backpack, or suitcase, to make storage easier.• Remember to pack rain gear and something warm for cool mornings and evenings, especially in the first and fourth sessions.As far as the little things go, flashlights, cameras, sports equipment, frisbees, playing cards, books to read at rest hour and other games that don’t require batteries are fine. If your children are taking dance classes they will need appropriate shoes for the classes that interest them. Horseback riders need long pants and shoes with a hard heel. For those interested in theater, one dress outfit often helps. While iPods, Ipads and Playstation Portable’s may be fun, be advised that these small items are easily misplaced and camp cannot be held responsible when they are lost. Cell phones will not work at camp, so keep them home, too.

Packing! Beth BackstageTaylor Eisenberg was accepted into the Rockette Summer Intensive program and will be kicking up her heels on the Radio City Music Hall stage this summer. Taylor was also cast as Snoopy in her high school’s upcoming musical production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!Charlotte Trattner is currently performing in The Importance of Being Earnest and Guys and Dolls in the JCAT theatre. This fall she was accepted to Miami Arts Charter for high school.Idan Horowitz performed as Marat in Marat Sade, and was recently cast as Sid in his high school’s production of The Pajama Game.Hannah Laham is played Winnifred in the Thalian Association’s Once Upon a Mattress in Wilmington, NC.Skylar Sherman was cast as the female lead in the Stagecoach production of Honk! Jr in New York City.Scott Crepea was nominated for outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role from the Montclair State University Theatre Night Awards program for his high school theatre’s production of, The Laramie Project.Jordan Goldberg was accepted into Bergen Academy in the School of Visual and Performing Arts.Lily Harris just finished playing Princess Winnifred in her school’s production of Once Upon A Mattress. Max Harris just completed 19 commercials for WB Mason which will be seen during Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Orioles and Nationals games. He’s also getting excited for this summer’s release of Ted where he’s Greenbaum in the opening scene.

Camper & Staff News

Remember Visiting Begins at 1:30pm on the first day of visiting in each session and 10:00am on the second day of visiting.* Visitors are welcome to see this performance and may only enter the grounds after 6pm and stay for dinner. Prior Notice is Required.# No visitors permitted for this performance

French Woods 2012 Performance Schedule Save this schedule for future reference! This is your guide for visiting! Please feel free to make copies and share with families and friends!

Session 1June 21 7:45 pm Band & Orchestra Concert *June 22 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * Magic Show #June 23 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * 8:00 pm Rock Concert # June 24 7:30 pm The Jungle Book * Joseph and the Amazing... * 7:45 pm 13 * 42nd ST * Tartuffe * 8:30 pm The Hunchback of Notre Dame* Bugsy Malone*June 25 2:30 pm Circus 7:45 pm Ragtime Once Upon a Mattress Aida Brighton Beach Memoirs High School MusicalJune 26 10:30 am Music Concert 11:30 am Dance Concert 2:15 pm Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor... The Jungle Book 2:30 pm 13 42nd St Tartuffe 3:30 pm The Hunchback of Notre Dame Bugsy Malone 7:45 pm Ragtime Once Upon a Mattress Aida Brighton Beach Memiors High School Musical Session 2July 4 7:45 pm Patriotic Pops Concert & Fireworks #July 12 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * 8:00 pm Magic Show # Junior Band and Orchestra Concert * 8:30 pm Rock Concert #July 13 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * 8:00 pm Junior Band and Orchestra Concert *July 14 7:30 pm Tangled * 7:45 pm White Christmas * The Music Man * Footloose * The Crucible *

8:30 pm Mamma Mia *July 15 2:30 pm Circus 7:30 pm School House Rock Free To Be You And Me 7:45 pm H.M.S. Pinafore Forever Scrooged Marisol 8:30 pm Little Mermaid Once on This Island July 16 10:30 am Music Concert 11:30 am Dance Concert 2:15 pm School House Rock Free To Be You And Me 2:30 pm H.M.S. Pinafore Forever Scrooged Marisol 3:30 pm Little Mermaid Once on This Island 5:00 pm Jr. Circus 7:30 pm Tangled 7:45 pm White Christmas The Music Man Footloose The Crucible 8:30 pm Mamma Mia

Session 3July 20 7:45 pm Parade * Nine * The Survivor * Little Shop of Horrors *July 21 7:45 pm Parade * Nine * The Survivor *July 22 7:45 pm Nine * The Survivor * Little Shop of Horrors *July 23 7:45 pm Parade * The Survivor * Little Shop of Horrors *July 26 7:45 pm Concert Band*July 27 7:45 pm Cabaret & Improv Troupe *July 28 8:30 pm Orchestra Concert *July 31 8:00 pm Rock Concert #August 1 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * Magic Show # Rock Concert #August 2 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival *

7:45 pm Junior Band & Orchestra Concert * August 3 7:30 pm Alice in Wonderland * 7:45 pm Catch Me If You Can * Leagally Blond * The Wizard of Oz * Merrily We Roll Along * 8:30 pm Grease * August 4 2:30 pm Circus 7:30 pm The Aristocats 101 Dalmations 7:45 pm My Favorite Year Anything Goes The House of Bernarda Alba 8:30 pm Anastasia Toy Story August 5 10:30 am Music Concert 11:30 am Dance Concert 2:15 PM The Aristocats 101 Dalmations 2:30 pm My Favorite Year Anything Goes The House of Bernarda Alba 3:30 pm Anastasia Toy Story 5:00 pm Jr Circus 7:30 pm Alice In Wonderland 7:45 pm Catch Me If You Can Legally Blond The Wizard of OZ Merrily We Roll Along 8:30 pm Grease

Session 4August 9 7:45 pm Cabaret* A Funny Thing Happened... Forum * Noises Off * Tartuffe *August 10 7:45 pm A Funny Thing Happened... Forum * Noises Off * Tartuffe * August 11 7:45 pm Cabaret* A Funny Thing Happened... Forum *August 12 7:45 pm Cabaret* Noises Off * Tartuffe *August 14 8:30 pm Band Concert *August 15 7:45 pm Company *August 16 7:45 pm Company *

August 17 7:45 pm Concerto Night *August 18 6:00 pm Banquet # 8:00 pm Cabaret & Improv Troupe #August 20 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival * 7:45 pm Magic Show # 8:30 pm Rock Concert #

August 21 7:30 pm One Act Festival * Film Festival 7:45 Junior Band & Orchestra Concert * Magic Show # 8:30 pm Rock Concert #August 22 7:45 pm Annie * Funny Girl * Star Child * Godspell * The Merry Wives Of WindsorAugust 23 2:30 pm Our Town # Farenheight 451 # 7:30 pm Willy Wonka * Dear Edwina * 7:45 pm George M * Greenwood * Go Go Beach * 8:30pm Tarzan * Pinocchio *August 24 2:30 pm Annie Our Town Farenheight 451 4:00 pm Jr Circus 7:45 pm The Producers Funny Girl Star Child Godspell The Merry Wives Of WindsorAugust 25 10:30 am Orchestra Concert 11:30 am Dance Concert 2:15 pm Willy Wonka Dear Edwina 2:30 pm George M Greenwood Go Go Beach 3:30 pm Tarzan Pinocchio 5:15 pm Circus 8:15 pm The Producers 10:30 pm Candle Lighting #

Additional performances will be scheduled on visiting days including a mini rock concert, piano recital, magic, gymnastics and horseback riding shows and others to be announced. A complete visiting day schedule will be available when you arrive at camp. Shows and times subject to change.