Summer Newsletter | Aug 13, 2023
What's New With U? Week 7
It is hard to believe that our 2023 summer session is almost over and we are entering or last week at Usdan. We had an amazing week of performances from the Theater, Music, and Creative Writing departments. In Theater, students wowed in Pippin, Cinderella, Captain Louie Jr. and in the World Premiere of Camp U. Creative Writing students kicked off an amazing week of Festival performances, followed by selections from Pippin by the Theater Ensemble and then music performances by the Senior Bands, Orchestra and Senior Jazz Majors. Student performances continue at Festival and around campus next week. Make sure to check your email for details if your child will be performing in either Festival, In-Studio Performances or in Theater.
Our August U Benefit takes place on Wednesday, and we hope to see everyone in our Usdan community there! We have an amazing day planned for you, including an Art Parade through campus, Theater productions, In-Studio performances and a pool party with live jazz at the end of the day. If you have not done so already, make sure you reserve your ticket to attend!
If you can't make it to campus for the Festivals this week, remember that they are streamed live daily on our YouTube Channel. If you miss the live stream, you can catch them anytime on YouTube. Make sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss any of the amazing guest performers and student shows!
Camp U World Premiere
On Thursday, the world premiere of Camp U was performed in the Lucy Moses Theater. The musical, which was commissioned by Usdan is written by Ben Boecker, a Usdan alum. The musical tells the story of a summer at Camp U (which bears a not so suspiciously striking resemblance to Usdan), where students take classes in the visual and performing arts was performed by both Junior and Senior Theater Majors who played a cast full of campers, ticks, a camera puppet, ghosts and counselors. At its heart, Camp U is a love story - the love between people, the love of musicals, and the love of camp.
This Wednesday!
Make sure to reserve your tickets! It is going to be an amazing day at Usdan. Come for some or stay for all!
Device Policy
Reminder, Usdan is device and electronics free this summer. To enhance this experience, we have adopted a device-free policy. Disconnecting allows students to fully engage with their artistic endeavors, explore their imagination and connect with each other.
If you need to reach your child or get a message to your child, please call the main office: 631.643.7900.
Please be our partner in helping us reinforce this policy by reminding your child that their devices must be put away before they get off the bus or out of the car in the morning. We thank you for your support. If you have any questions or need to leave a message for your child during camp hours, please call: 631.643.7900.
See U next week!
WEEK 7 IN MEDIA
CAMP SHOTS
Usdan's photographer travels around the campus daily capturing photos of our students and the joys of camp. In addition to photos shared in our Newsletter and on Instagram, you can view photos in Flickr.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't forget to follow us on social media to see pictures and videos daily! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and TicTok!
Calendar Highlights: Week 8
Here is what's coming up next week!
When visiting campus you are invited to have lunch with members of Usdan's leadership team. On every performance or exhibition day, we host lunches for Usdan parents, supporters, grandparents and caregivers. Lunches are held backstage in the McKinley Amphitheater, typically at 1:15pm. Lunch times are set so as not to conflict with the activities you are coming to see.
If you would like to join us for lunch, email rsvp@usdan.org. Please note: there will not be a backstage lunch on August 16 (the day of the U Benefit) or August 18 (the last day of camp).
Monday, August 14
First Day: Week 8 Recreational Camp!
Theater Show: The Actor Sings
1:30pm | Junior Cast
Festival:
12:10pm | Band I & II
12:35pm | Orchestra II
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Tuesday, August 15
Theater Show: Candide
10:30am & 1:30pm
Festival:
12:10pm | Junior Vocal Ensemble
12:35pm | Senior Vocal Ensemble
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Wednesday, August 16
The U Benefit: A Day of Imagination (Tickets Required)
All Day
- Art Majors & Minors Open Studio Exhibition
- Comic Con
- Studio Visits
10:00 am
- Sr. Writing Major
10:10 am
- Jr. Broadway Jazz & Choreography
10:30 am
- Jr. The Actor Sings
- Sr. “The Little Mermaid” Rehearsal
11:05 am
- Sr. Vocal Ensemble
- Sr. Fashion Show
11:15 am
- Jr. Tap II & Jr. Hip Hop
- Jr. The Actor Sings
- Discovery
11:50 am – 1:15 pm
- Picnic Lunch
12:15 p.m.
- Festival: Alumni & Community Award Presentation;
- Discovery, Sr. Cello, Sr. Jazz Major, Sr. Tap, Troupe
1:05 pm
- Discovery Lunch & Art Exhibition
1:15 pm
- Jr. Writing Major
1:30 pm
- “The Rainbow Fish Musical”
- Sr. Tap I
- Sr. Hip Hop
- Jr. “The Little Mermaid” Rehearsal
2:15 pm
- Parade & Jr. Fashion Show
2:25 pm
- Sr. Broadway Jazz
- Dance Adventure
3:05 pm
- Splash Bash with live jazz. An after party with swimming, mocktails, music, and nibbles at the pools. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Thursday, August 17
Theater Show: The Little Mermaid (Lucy Moses Theater)
10:30am | Senior Cast
1:30pm | Junior Cast
In Studio Performances: Music Department
10:00am -10:50am
- Sr. Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone) in-studio performance in M3
- Sr. Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba) in-studio performance in M1
- Period 1 Jr. Advanced Beginner Piano Minor in-studio performance in M16
- Period 1 Jr. Absolute Beginner Piano Minor in-studio performance in M19
10:30am:
- Sr. Intermediate/Advanced Piano Major in-studio performance in M12
11:05-11:55am:
- Sr. Bass III & IV in-studio performance in M2
- Period 2 Jr. Absolute Beginner Piano Minor in-studio performance in M16
- Period 2 Jr. Advanced Beginner Guitar Minor in-studio performance in M18
1:15-2:05pm:
- Orchestra I, Upper Strings II (Violin, Viola), & Lower Strings II (Cello, Bass) in-studio performance in M2 (continues through 3:00pm)
- Jr. Woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone) in-studio performance in M10
- Jr. Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba) in-studio performance in M21
- Period 3 Sr. Advanced Beginner Piano Minor in-studio performance in M16
1:30pm start:
- Jr. Intermediate Piano Major (M12 students) in-studio performance in M12
- Jr. Intermediate Piano Major (M19 students) in-studio performance in M19
2:15-3:05pm:
- Period 4 Sr. Advanced Beginner Guitar Minor in-studio performance in M2
- Sr. Absolute Beginner Piano Minor M16
Festival - Dance
12:10pm | Hip Hop (periods 1 & 2), Junior Tap, Junior Broadway Jazz, Dance Adventure, Next Generation
12:35pm | Broadway Jazz (period 4), Hip Hop (periods 3 & 4), Senior Next Generation, Senior Major Hip Hop
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Parents and caregivers visiting campus are welcome to join Usdan Staff for lunch after the 12:35pm Festival. RSVP for lunch by emailing rsvp@usdan.org.
Friday, August 18
Spirit Day: U Pride Day
Last Day: 2023 Season
Last Day: Week 8 Recreational Camp
Theater Show: She Kills Monsters (Lucy Moses Theater)
10:30am
Festival: Closing Ceremony & Lifer Celebration
12:10pm
Festival Performances will also be livestreamed on and posted to our YouTube page.
Upcoming & Noteworthy
Long Island's #1 fall event is coming back to Usdan this October!
We are thrilled to be able to offer Usdan community members an exclusive chance to purchase pre-sale tickets!
