Happy Halloween! RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns welcomed over 40,000 visitors to Usdan's campus this October. Seen here is one of the pumpkins on display carved by lead pumpkin artist for the RISE and Usdan alum Michele Gilman.

Dear Friends,

Usdan’s fall foliage is on full display as we head into November and bid goodbye to the family-favorite event RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns, which welcomed over 40,000 visitors this year to Usdan. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

In this month’s newsletter, we highlight some special school visits and three Usdan community members who have taken new posts at three of Long Island’s biggest high school theater programs.

Mark your calendars for early November when we will announce some exciting new classes for Summer 2025, including additions to our popular Composition Program. Also on November 24, we will resume campus tours. Reserve your spot here or forward the link to a prospective family!

As we enter into the holiday season, we are excited to gather with our alumni for a special Usdan Alumni "Engagement Party" on November 14 at Copperhill Restaurant on Long Island. If you’re a Usdan alum, please forward the invite below to your Usdan buddies who may not have received the invitation!

And last but certainly not least, a reminder to VOTE…for Usdan as the Best Summer Camp on Long Island in the Camp Category under Sports & Activities here.

Does your student have news they want to share? Are they starring in an upcoming play, recital, or concert? Did they create a new piece of artwork they are proud of? Write to us at media@usdan.org, and we may feature them in our next newsletter or on our social channels.

Happy reading!

 

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Usdan Theater Teachers and Alums Land Top Teaching High School Posts on Long Island

Pictured from left to right, Jordan Hue, James Crichton, and Russell Dembin — members of Usdan's community and the new leaders of three Long Island theater programs.

At the start of this school year three of Long Island’s biggest high school theater programs — Hauppauge High School, Calhoun High School, and South Side High School — welcomed three new teachers: Jordan Hue, James Crichton, and Russell Dembin, respectively.

Besides all having grown up on Long Island and having a strong love of theater, they all have one other lasting thing in common: Usdan. Jordan just finished his eighth summer teaching at Usdan and Russell spent five summers as a student. James is both an alum and a Theater teacher. Each of them attribute landing these impressive new roles in large part to Usdan.

“I think that Jordan, James, and Russell realize that were it not for this space that Usdan provides to all of its students and all of its faculty they would not be where they are today,” shared Jim Incorvaia, Usdan’s Senior Chair, Theater & Lead Producer.

Jordan, James, and Russell are replacing three legendary theater educators. Jordan is taking over for Ruthie Pincus, who not only shaped the Hauppauge program to be what it is today but also started the acclaimed Stage the Change conference and taught for many years at Usdan. In a twist of fate, Pam Seiderman, who for 23 years ran the theater program at South Side High School, would teach her successor Russell Dembin at Usdan when he was a student in the early 2000s. James also follows in the footsteps of his own high school theater teacher, Sal Salerno, taking up Sal’s post who served as the Director of Calhoun High School’s On Tour Company for almost 40 years.

Recently, Usdan’s media team sat down with Jordan, James, and Russell to speak with them individually about Usdan, teaching, and their love for their community that made them stay on Long Island into adulthood.

 

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A Usdan Alumni “Engagement” Party Thursday, November 14 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Copperhill Restaurant in Williston Park

Reconnect with Usdan and indulge in nostalgia while enjoying delicious cocktails and bites at Copperhill Restaurant in Williston Park compliments of Usdan! Please RSVP by November 4. Registration is required to attend.

 

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Summer 2025 New Classes Coming Next Month

Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement in November with a list of new classes for Summer 2025! We are thrilled to be able to add some additional courses to our already rich roster of classes in popular departments and subjects, including our burgeoning Composition Program.

Think you may want to change into a new class but already enrolled? If your young artist wants to switch into one of our new classes after they are announced, you can easily request the change using our form here.

 

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Summer 2025 Campus Tours Are Back!

Do you know a young artist interested in Usdan? Get a taste of all that Usdan offers on a personalized tour of Usdan’s 140-acre campus with a friendly, knowledgeable guide. We customize each tour for every family based on the young artist’s interests. Tour guides are typically paired with no more than two families, allowing families to have all of their questions answered. Slots for November 24 and December 8 are filling quickly — register today!

 

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Summer 2025 Upcoming Tuition Assistance Deadline: November 15

We make it easy for families who are unable to pay full tuition to apply for tuition assistance for our 4- and 8-week Discovery and Classic Programs. We use a platform called School & Student Services (SSS) employed by many private and independent schools as a financial aid platform. In addition to uploading your tax documents, the application includes space for a personal statement where you can explain any special circumstances and situations not reflected in other parts of the application.

Please note you must enroll in Usdan first before applying for tuition assistance. Questions? Email enrollment@usdan.org or call 631.643.7900.

 

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Brentwood High School Art Students Visit the RISE

For most people, when they think about carving pumpkins, what comes to mind are two triangles for eyes, a triangle for the nose, and a sliver of a moon for the mouth. They probably will take out a couple of knives, one large for carving along the stem to cut a hole to get the pumpkin "guts" out and a smaller knife to carve out the shapes of the face.

But the artists carving pumpkins for RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns are not most people.

Brentwood High School students get a behind-the-scenes look at the RISE.

A group of high school art students from Brentwood High School were quick to discover this on a recent visit to Usdan where they had a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that goes into this magnificent show. During the RISE, a team of artists set up shop in a theater studio (known to Troupe members affectionately as T1) where they use an assortment of tools to carve, shave, and draw on pumpkins to create intricate designs that come alive at night with just the right amount of light from within.  

Accompanied by their art teachers, students had the opportunity to ask the artists questions as well as see the pumpkins up close to truly understand the techniques used.

 

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Spreading a Message of Kindness: “Better Than A Bully” Goes on the Road

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and instead of just talking about the importance of kindness, four Usdan students who also attend the Portledge School in Locust Valley decided to sing about it.  

On Tuesday, October 15 at an assembly for Middle and Lower School Students, Malia B., Savi D., Kaitlyn R., and Liana S. shared scenes from “Better Than A Bully: The Musical,” which they premiered at Usdan this past summer. Accompanying them on piano was Ben Boecker, Usdan alum, teacher, and the writer and composer of the musical. As part of the presentation, Portledge Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Usdan parent, Traci Douglas, led a Q&A with Ben and the students, who spoke about the importance of showing respect, empathy, and kindness towards others.

Usdan Alum Tina Levine, whose own experiences with bullying inspired her to write the book series “Better Than A Bully,” on which the musical was based, joined the assembly, along with her husband and the book series’ illustrator Ned Levine. Also in the audience was Usdan Theater Department Chair Jim Incorvaia, who after meeting Tina and reading her books, knew the material was ripe for a musical, especially one that is relevant to young people today. From there, “Better Than A Bully: The Musical” was born and became Usdan’s second musical commission.  

We are so excited to see “Better Than A Bully” continue to inspire young people to foster a community of belonging and respect. If you or your organization are interested in bringing “Better Than A Bully: The Musical” to your school, contact us here.

Each summer Usdan commissions a new musical theater piece which Musical Theater students premiere. This is a rare opportunity for young artists to work on a brand-new work of theater. Enroll your performer today in our Theater Program and they may have the opportunity to work on a world premiere!

 

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Support Young Artists: Make a Gift to Usdan Today

As we enter the season of giving, please consider supporting Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts with a donation that is meaningful to you. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community who believe in the transformative power of the arts and the young artists who bring our campus alive each summer.

 

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Calendar

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Thursday, November 14

Usdan Alumni "Engagement Party"

Please RSVP by November 4

 

Friday, November 15

November Tuition Assistance Deadline

 

Sunday, November 24

Campus Tour

 

Wednesday–Friday, November 24–27

Usdan Administrative Offices Closed