Summer Newsletter | Aug 19, 2024
What's New With U? Week 7
Dear Friends,
Week 7 was one of great collaboration and connection. From the Amphitheater to the Gaga Pit, every inch of Usdan's campus was abuzz with activity. We had numerous guests including the International Contemporary Ensemble, guest composer Lisa Schonberg, U.S. Dept of Agriculture, and Animal Ambassadors from Wildlife Center of Long Island, among others. Fifteen works premiered including nine classical compositions from our Composition Major and Minor students and six new short plays from our Playwrighting Major students. And that's not all!
Catch up on all that happened in Week 7 and what you can look forward to in Week 8 — our last week of the summer. (We're not crying, you're crying.)
P.S. We are in great need of Volunteers for our final week! If you have any time, even an hour, we would greatly appreciate your help. Please email volunteers@usdan.org with your availability Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Attend the U Benefit THIS Wednesday
Wednesday, August 21
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join us during the regular camp day to engage with the art and beauty of the Usdan campus.
Live performances including Usdan Dance students | Art exhibitions & Comic Con | Raffles | Community art project and more!
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy, just like our students. Meals will not be provided but everyone who stays through dismissal will receive ice cream!
Thanks to our generous sponsors, this event is free. Registration is required.
Donations at any level are deeply appreciated and can be added at the time of registration.
Reminder: Participate in our Zero Waste Tuesday Challenge!
Tuesday is our last zero-waste challenge day of the season! You can help by sending in as little single-use packaging as possible in your child's lunchbox on Tuesday (and every day) and encouraging them to eat all of their food to make as little waste as possible.
How does the challenge work? At the end of Monday, we will weigh the lunch waste from each picnic area. On Tuesday, we will then weigh the waste again. Whatever picnic area that has the greatest percentage reduction in waste wins all the bragging rights. (No physical prizes for this challenge as we don't want to create more waste, of course!)
Building Connections
How did you connect at Usdan this week?
As the week drew to a close, the media team spoke with students in the Junior Division about how they connected with their art forms during their busy week of performances and activity. Here's what they shared:
“I’m doing theater and I felt like I got a part that was right for me. I think I am really like the part, so I was very connected to it. The play is 'Free to Be You and Me' and the character learns that she can feel things.”
-Violet, Age 9
“I connected to my artwork via my [Rec] counselor. She helped me a lot. She taught me to draw more realistically.”
-John, Age 12
“I connected to my art this week because I’m a singer and I have to use my emotions to sing.”
-Athena, Age 11
“I connected to my art form of theater because of my friends. I really love my friends, and they make it so much easier to memorize my lines. We have such a good time together.”
-Sara, Age 12
Senior Ceramic Students Spread Kindness Throughout Usdan
From left to right: Natalie P., Jessica L., Veronica L., Meital L, Zoe S.
When a group of Senior Ceramics Majors found unused small bags of fun-shaped rubber rings and bracelets in the Art Department Scrap Exchange, they decided they'd put those "scraps" to use. Not in a traditional art project per se, but in a more conceptual one. One of spreading kindness and joy throughout campus. All around Usdan this past week, the five young artists passed out the bands in spirit of pure generosity and kindness, connecting with other students and staff and embodying one of Usdan's values, joy above all else!
Festival Week 7 Recap
The Creativity was Contagious
Senior Orchestra performed a program of four pieces on Thursday.
This week at Festival, we saw a wide array of student work starting with Creative Writing on Monday. Junior Creative Writing Minor students read their works, followed by a reading of short plays written by Senior Playwrighting Major students, a brand new Major for Summer 2024. The plays were read by our Junior Improvisation and Theater Games Minor students who applied the skills they have been learning to perform these short plays. It was so inspiring to witness this exchange between artistic groups and see these students bring their fellow artists' words to life. You can watch the recording here.
The next day on Tuesday, the cast from "Seussical" reprised their incredible performance from the previous week but this time on the McKinley Amphitheater stage. They delighted their fellow students, staff, and guests with a selection of pieces from the production. Watch the performance here.
Members of the cast of "Seussical" performing last Tuesday.
Wednesday featured the work of our eight Classical Composition Major & Minor students. All of the works were themed around different characters and emotions from "Inside Out 2" including envy, fear, anger, and sadness. The pieces were played by Izzy Gleicher, Rebekah Heller, and Clara Warnaar members of International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), who was Artists in Residence at Usdan from 2017 to 2019. Accompanying them on select pieces was Usdan violin teacher Alex Tyfer. Hear these new works here.
The Senior Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Kageki Nagao took to the McKinley Amphitheater stage on Thursday with a varied program of works by Vivaldi, Brahms, Argentian composer Astor Piazzolla, and the world premiere of "Intermezzo" by contemporary classical composer and current Usdan Composition student George Socolow. Watch a recording of the concert here.
Senior Choreography Major students shared their original dances with fellow students, staff, and guests on Friday during Festival.
Friday's Festival was all about Dance beginning with the Junior Dance Majors in Dance Adventure and Hip-Hop during Junior Festival. Artist in Residence Cindy Campbell introduced the Senior Festival which featured an incredible program of original works created by the Senior Choreography Majors. Catch the recording of the Junior Festival here and the Senior Festival here.
Theater Week 7 Recap
The Senior Cast of "13" performed the hit coming-of-age musical on Friday.
Things heated up in the Theater Department last week and the applause was echoing all throughout campus. Six productions opened including the Troupe's "Little Women," the Senior and Junior productions of both "Freaky Friday" and "13," and the adorable "Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon." Plus, Senior and Junior Theater Minors in The Actor Sings sang their hearts out on Friday in short showcase performances in M20.
Coming Up in Week 8 at Festival & In Studios...
Scroll Down to See What's On This Week or View Calendar
Troupe Persists to Present an “Astonishing” Production of “Little Women”
A Surprise Announcement
It was third period for the Troupe students, Usdan’s selective group of Musical Theater students who audition for a spot in this 8-week Major. The 13-member group had just finished a run-through of their show “Little Women,” and they had only one more day before the weekend to prepare for their two-show day on Monday. The excitement and anxiety was building. Their teacher Mike Schwendemann called the class to attention and then said words that they didn’t think they would ever hear. Camp was cancelled the next day. Their morning performance on Monday would become their sitzprobe — a rehearsal where the singers and orchestra perform for the first time together — and dress rehearsal. Their afternoon performance would become their sole performance.
As if on cue, the entire cast exclaimed “What?!”
Once the shock wore off, the Troupe students set into action.
“We didn’t let the news defeat us,” shared Sam G. “Friday we had a group call, and we went over as much of the script as we could. It was a lot of fun and very productive.”
They continued to talk over the weekend, exchanging emails and texts. Once Monday arrived, they got into costumes and make-up, met the orchestra for the first time, and ran through the show. (Troupe is the only Musical Theater class at Usdan to have an orchestra accompany them.)
“It was our first time on the [Lucy Moses] stage. We hadn’t touched the stage before Monday,” shared Mikayla C.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” explained Alexis L., who played the lead role Jo March, “but I felt I was more in the moment and enjoyed the show more, knowing that we only have one chance to do amazing, and we did. It was scary at first, but it was very fun and fulfilling, shall I say ‘astonishing.’”
Harmony is Love
Sitting in the audience Monday afternoon, you would have been hard pressed to know that the actors had only rehearsed on the stage that morning. In speaking to the Troupe students, they attribute their success to the trust they built as a group.
“Because of the friendships and bonds we created off stage, when performing on stage there was a lot support and we could feel it,” shared Katelynn M.
An 8-week, 3-period major class, Troupe students spend a lot of time with one another and prioritize friendship and bonding alongside learning their craft. For many Troupe members, the friendships they make are what they treasure the most.
“One of the first things that our Musical Director Jeffrey Hoffman drills into our heads when we start is that ‘Harmony is love,’ shared Tatiana P., a fourth-year Troupe student, “and so that for me is what Troupe means. Harmony is love. Troupe is family.”
Troupe outside their studio on Friday.
Reflecting Back with Pride
It takes tenacity, bravery, vulnerability, creativity, and resourcefulness to put on a play in the best of circumstances. And these were not the best of circumstances.
“It could have been daunting, but they really did face the challenge and stood up to it. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” expressed Troupe teacher Mike.
On Friday, four days after the Troupe show, the Troupe students reflected on their show. The overwhelming feeling was one of pride.
When asked what she took away from this experience, Maddy D. shared “I learned to put more trust in the rest of my castmates and our production team. I put more faith in everything that was going to happen and think on my feet more. All of us were completely and utterly proud of ourselves.”
And so they should be.
And Now for Some Comic(s)...Relief
Comic Art by Senior Comic Art Major & Minor Students. See more of their and their peers' work at Comic Con on August 21
WEEK 7 IN MEDIA
See more highlights from Week 6 below courtesy of our Photographer, Terryl Whitaker. Plus, see even more photos now on our Flickr. View Week 7.
Have you followed us yet on Instagram and TikTok? We post photos, videos, and more almost daily!
A Metalsmithing student works on her bracelet in preparation for Open Studios in Art on August 21.
Junior Creative Writing Minor students shared their works with audience members at Festival on Monday.
Usdan students pulled out all the stops on Friday for Decade Day!
Students from all four periods of The Actors Sings showcased their talents on Friday with short concerts in M20.
Suddenly changing bodies with your daughter? No big deal. A shot from the Senior cast's entertaining performance of "Freaky Friday" from Wednesday.
It was an absolutely beautiful week and perfect weather for kicking back with some foursquare.
Senior Painting and Drawing students put the final touches on their work in preparation for Open Studios in Art on Wednesday, August 21.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture came to Usdan to teach students about the Asian long-horned beetle, an invasive species that kills maple and other hardwood trees.
On Wednesday, an Animal Ambassador from Wildlife Center of Long Island visited Discovery along with some furry friends.
On Thursday, Children's Theater delighted audiences with their production of "Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon" at the Hillside Theater.
On Friday, Yoga and Comic Art students came together for a fun collaboration. Yoga students posed as Comic Art students drew them.
Composition Students worked with members of the International Contemporary Ensemble before Festival, giving notes to the musicians as they rehearsed.
Senior composition majors worked on soundscapes with guest composer Lisa Schonberg by recording the sounds of the Usdan chickens.
Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns
Get your tickets early for the best price!
October 4 - October 28
Buy your tickets now to get the best price for RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns — Long Island’s original and most visited fall event, featuring The World’s Longest Jack O’Lantern Trail!
This year, the woods of Usdan will showcase over 10,000 illuminated objects including 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, 3,000 specialty lanterns, and hundreds of family-friendly Halloween-themed visual displays.
HURRY before ticket prices increase!
Calendar Highlights: Week 8
Here is what's coming up next week!
Families of students are welcome to attend Festival performances and join us after for a backstage lunch. Festival performances will also be livestreamed, as well as recorded and posted, to our YouTube Channel.
Monday, August 19
First Day of Week 8 Recreation
Festival | Junior Band
12:10 p.m.
Festival | Junior Orchestra
12:35 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20
Theater Show | “9 - 5” Musical Theater Senior Cast
10:30 a.m.
Discovery Performance, Exhibition & Pizza Party
11:00 a.m.
Festival | Junior Vocal Ensemble
12:10 p.m.
Festival | Senior Vocal Ensemble
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | “9 - 5” Musical Theater Junior Cast
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21
U Benefit | FREE! RSVP Required
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
ALL DAY
In Art: Open Studios, Comic Con & Fashion Shows
Throughout Campus: In Studio Performances & Studio Visits
PLUS
Raffles
Community Art Project
& More!
12:10 p.m. & 12:35 p.m.
Festival Performance | Student Dance
1:30 p.m.
“Free to Be You and Me” performed by Children’s Theater
Thursday, August 22
Theater Show | “As You Like It” Our Little Theater, Senior Cast
10:30 a.m.
Theater Show | “Better Than a Bully: The Musical” Musical Theater, Senior Cast
10:30 a.m.
Festival | Senior Band
12:10 p.m.
12:35 p.m.
Theater Show | “As You Like It” Our Little Theater, Junior Cast
1:30 p.m.
Theater Show | “Better Than a Bully: The Musical” Musical Theater, Junior Cast
1:30 p.m.
Art Parade
1:45 p.m.
Grand marshalled by Artists in Residence DJ Kool Herc & Cindy Campbell
Friday, August 23
Spirit Day | U Pride Day
Festival | Closing Ceremony & Lifer Ceremony for 4B and 8-Week Students
12:10 p.m.
