Endings and Beginnings

The holiday season has come and gone, and the new year is upon us, which means that the edge production of "Once on This Island" has ended its run. The performances were a couple of weeks ago at the Tarrytown Music Hall. The ending of this production doesn't just signify the end of another Random Farms show: for some, it signifies the end of a journey. Rachel Stamberg, a current senior in high school, has been performing with Random Farms since 7th grade and took her final bow in Once on this Island. Upon realizing that this was her last show with Random Farms, she stated, "I can't believe my many years at RFKT has come to an end. The memories I made there will last forever!"

Rachel Stamberg gets ready for her final show at Random Farms

Rachel is not alone in finishing her run with Random Farms. Kyle Morales (a current Ambassador), is also a senior who is saying farewell to Random Farms. "Once on this Island was my last show with RFKT," he commented, "And I couldn't have had a better experience. RFKT has taught me so much about being a performer, and I've made life long friends along the way." Although this show was the end for some performers, it was only the beginning for others. Jillian Flynn, a current sophomore, has been performing with Random Farms for a few years. However, Once on This Island was her first experience with the edge shows: "Once on This Island was my first show with the edge program. I met so many talented people and had an overall great experience. I can't wait to participate in it again next year."

Jillian Flynn has fun backstage with another cast member before performing in her first edge show

 In conclusion, the ending of Once of this Island was bittersweet. For those beginning their journey, many new memories await. For those whose journeys have come to a close, new experiences in college are bound to be exciting. However, it is okay if it hurts...because that's how you know it meant something.

The Road to Kids for a Cause

When I was in fourth grade, Random Farms announced a new program called “Kids Who Care.” It was described as a 30-minute musical performance that would bring smiles and joy to all those for whom we performed.

Immediately, I fell in love with the idea and signed up for my audition. I was really nervous as it was only my second audition ever.  However, it was so important for me to do this program, so I put on a brave face and went for it.

At my audition, I sang the audition song, “I Got the Sun in the Morning” from Annie Get Your Gun and we did a short combination to “I Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You. These very songs are still used for our auditions today. I felt very confident after my audition and anxiously waited for the cast list. I got in and was cast as “Kid 9”!

The first year went by quickly. We performed at the Random Farms Gala, Sunshine Children’s Home and Rehab Center, Wartburg Adult Care Community, and Cedar Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. We had an added performance at a shelter in The Bronx. Not only did I get to sing my duet, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” but I also took over for “Kid 3” and sang “The Trolley Song” from Meet Me in Saint Louis. We even performed in Times Square at “Tunes in Times Square” with the Magical Music for Life Foundation, and that same day we performed on FOX News.

The next year, “Kids Who Care” changed to “Kids for a Cause” for copyright reasons. There were less kids and some songs like “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s Spamalot, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story, and our finale from Gypsy “Together Wherever We Go” were cut. I was cast again, but this time as “Kid 11.” My duet that year was “I Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You. That year we performed at Sunshine, Burke Rehabilitation Center, Atria Senior Living, and Yonkers Community Action Program. My grandfather once went to Burke, so that performance was my favorite of the year, especially when some of the audience members remembered “The Miracle Man.”

Last year was probably my favorite year so far. My role was “Kid 1,” and I sang “Put On a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie and “The Trolley Song” from Meet Me in Saint Louis. My cast was full of my friends. We performed at Westhab PEAK Center, The Abbott House, and The Westchester Center for Independent and Assisted Living. When performing at the Abbott House, I not only performed “Put on a Happy Face” and “The Trolley Song,” but I also filled in for “Kid 3” and sang “Friendship” from Anything Goes.

This year I am playing “Kid 10.” I finish with Kids for a Cause next year, and it’s killing me. I am the only original cast member left, so it will be hard to go without doing this program. This year, I am singing “Seize the Day” from one of my favorite musicals Newsies. My cast will be performing at Atria Senior Living, Coachman Family Center, and Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.

Kids for a Cause makes me feel happy, that I am doing something good. It’s an accomplishment to be performing with this group. I cannot thank Julie and Anya enough for casting me in this show for the first time three years ago and for continuing to cast me in this program since.

I cannot imagine life without doing Kids For a Cause. It makes me so happy to see the smiles on our audience’s faces. My favorite part is talking to our audience after. The seniors are always full of gratitude and kindness. They often tell us, the performers, that they love these musicals or remember singing these songs with their friends when they were children. Their recollections always make me smile. When we talk to the kids, their faces light up. They always ask such thoughtful questions such as “How long did it take to learn the show?” or “What’s your favorite song to perform?”

When we ask our audience what their favorite songs are, the children immediately reply with our finale, “We Go Together” from Grease. “We Go Together” is full of energy, silly words, and crazy dance moves, and I always see the children bopping along to the music. The seniors normally reply with the older, classic show tunes like “I Got the Sun in the Morning” from Annie Get Your Gun, “Friendship’ from Anything Goes, “Heart” from Damn Yankees, “Put On a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie, “I Got Rhythm” from Crazy for You, or “The Trolley Song” from Meet Me in Saint Louis. Sometimes, however, our younger cast members reply, “Little People” from Les Miserables  or “Happiness” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

I strongly encourage everyone (Grades 2-8) to audition for Kids For a Cause. I get such an amazing feeling knowing that I am doing something good and bringing happiness to everyone! The reward of doing this program is not adding it to your resume, being on FOX, performing in Times Square, or getting community service hours for school, but bringing music, happiness, and joy to the audience members.

 

Farewell to Natalie Gray

"You just have such passion in your voice when you sing and sound so amazing while doing it. Good luck in everything! Don't give up; you have such an amazing talent that you shouldn't waste. You better not slack off, or I'm going to be really mad at you!" Natalie cried, wiping the tears from her eyes as fresh ones were forming in mine. Natalie got out her final words of wisdom while I swallowed the lump in my throat. My voice teacher regained her professionalism while I was losing that of my own.

I'll admit, when I first heard that Natalie Gray, resident voice teacher and Jellybeans director was leaving Random Farms, I didn't cry. I was most certainly shocked at the news, and even though I was sad, I didn't let a single tear escape from my eyes. I don't like crying. I hate the way the sobs wrack my body, stain my face and bewilder my breath. That is why I avoid the action as much as possible and attempt to detach myself with all feelings that trigger it.

So, I tried not to think at all about Natalie's leaving during her last month at Random Farms, and even put off practicing my NYSSMA piece because it made me think of her. But once my last lesson with Natalie was days away, I figured that I had to get down to business and not only face the fact that my beloved teacher was leaving, but practice Panis Angelicus because let's face it: I don't know how to speak Latin.

As expected, practicing the piece brought up many memories of Natalie, which forced me to come to terms with the fact that she truly was leaving. It hurt. But once I did it, I felt so much better. Think of it this way: You climb over a mountain. The journey is exhausting and maybe you slip on the way up but once you reach the top, the view is beautiful. Once I got over my sadness of Natalie's departure, I realized how much I'd vocally improved over the years with her as my teacher.

I thought of how she molded my airy and unstable 12-year-old-pop voice into a trained classical instrument, and gave me ample knowledge of music theory and performance skills. I thought of how she taught me to work hard and persevere, but not to be too hard on myself. I thought of how she made me think of every performance as a learning experience, whether or not I felt satisfied by it. She taught me to love my voice and my craft, but not to take myself so seriously and have a laugh once in a while. After all, I'm only a sixteen-year-old performer who has many credits on her résumé but still has a lot to learn.

But I would have never gotten where I am if it hadn't been for Natalie. I thought that I would leave Random Farms long before she did but hey, you never know what life is going to throw at you. I don't know much of what else is coming, but I do know that I speak for everyone when I say that we all wish Natalie the best of luck in Houston, Texas and welcome Joanie Brittingham, our new voice teacher, to the Random Farms family. Even though Natalie is already gone, we know that her spirit will never truly leave Random Farms; Her operatic voice will ring all the way from Houston to Elmsford.

The New Kid

I am very excited to be part of Random Farms Kids' Theater anti-bullying production of "The New Kid"!  This is my first year with the show, and I am very happy to be playing Eleanore.  "The New Kid" is a show that travels to schools and spreads the important message to just be yourself.  In fact, one of the characters sings a song called "Just Be Yourself".

There are 3 casts of "The New Kid".  Auditions were held in June and we got the great news that we were cast a few weeks later.  We had a busy rehearsal schedule for about 6 weeks beginning in September.  During that time, we not only learned the show, but we became great friends.  Hanging out at dinner break was the best!

The day we travelled to our first school to do the show, I didn't know what to expect from the audience.  The kids in the school loved it!  I think it was special for them to see a show for kids that was done by kids.  After each show, we do a Q&A.  The kids at the school made some great comments about how they would prevent bullying.  They also asked us questions like - how did we learn the whole show, how much school do we miss by doing the show (2 mornings a month), and they even asked if the green rubber frog we use in the show was real.

"The New Kid" is one of my favorite shows that I have been part of.  I love my cast, performing for different audiences, and spreading an important anti-bullying message.

Auditions for next year's casts of "The New Kid" will be in June - don't miss it!!

The Most Amazing Experience

This summer, I got the amazing opportunity to play the lead role, “Tracy Turnblad”, in Random Farms’ summer mainstage Hairspray Jr. I was so excited when I got the news, because honestly, I wasn’t expecting it, as I was originally cast as Edna.  Even as Edna I was so happy to play such a featured role. The girl who was originally cast as Tracy got an amazing opportunity to work for Nickelodeon, and because I was the second choice, I was asked right away.  But really, this article isn’t about being the lead; it’s about the experience.

 The month of July went by so quickly. I was meeting all of these amazing people and having so much fun. Just saying here: the experience wasn’t only magical because I played the lead, it was the meaning behind it. I remember watching the 2007 movie at my dance studio. I was only five, but I was Velma and got to dance to “The Legend of Ms. Baltimore Crabs” up on stage. As I got older, I would play the soundtrack over and over, and one day my best friend and I went to see it at The Westchester Dinner Theater. I was so memorized by the show, and my mom and I looked for years to see if a theater was doing it, but after a while, we gave up. I was and still am inspired by Tracy’s character and how she stood up for everything she believed in.

I remember at one of my voice lessons my instructor, Natalie, told me that the summer mainstage was going to be Hairspray Jr. I began practicing the audition cut of “Good Morning Baltimore” and finally the audition day came. I felt so proud of my audition, both the dance and the vocal parts. I was at rehearsal for a workshop when the callback list came out, and to find that I had gotten callbacks for Tracy, Velma, Edna, and Amber made me ecstatic! I was so happy with all of the progress that I had made in only one year!

When tech week came, it was bittersweet to know that we were almost done with the show. Our cast had grown so close; everyone was so supportive of each other and we even celebrated my birthday on the first dress rehearsal! Our opening night was so energetic and we all did an amazing job. By our second (and last) show, our energy wasn’t as high, for everyone had to say goodbye. We had all worked so hard, and it was sad to see it come to an end. When I came out of the hairspray can to bow, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was crying on the inside, but smiling on the outside. I don’t think anyone stayed sane that night. I cannot thank Alexis, Chip, and Anya enough for the amazing opportunity.

So it wasn’t just the part, or the experience, or the show. It was the cast. I still have what I like to call post-show depression. Sometimes I’m in the car listening to the Broadway radio and “Run and Tell That” will come on, or I’ll be at school and someone will find my Hairspray Jr. postcard in my bag, or I’ll be at home in my room which is filled with Hairspray bags, posters, and photos. But that post-show depression reminds me of the amazing experience I had, all the amazing people who I can call my best friends, and most importantly, it taught me an important message: “You Can’t Stop The Beat!”

 

Kids For a Cause Hits the Road

KIDS FOR A CAUSE HIT THE ROAD!

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope your holidays were just as special as mine. December was a special month for me.  I celebrated my cousin Samantha’s

Bat mitzvah in L.A and I participated for the first time in Kids For a Cause.  Kids For a Cause is a program that brings shows to different places from our community, where people do not have the chance to go to a show. Sometimes these people do not have money to buy a ticket, they can’t move easily because of physical restrictions or they can’t actually stay seated at a theatre for long. I decided to audition for Kids For a Cause because I wanted to help someone to have a better day, by doing what I like the most: singing and dancing.

On my first show I was a little nervous because I didn’t know how the audience was going to react. But I found out that they really liked to have us there and it was very welcoming. After the show we had a meet and greet time. That is when we talk to the audience and they get to ask questions and talk to us.

Our first performance was at a homeless shelter. The kids there were very shy at first, but they paid attention and were really fun to talk to. They all said they loved the show and I could hear some of them singing along with us. I loved to see that big smile spread across their face. We also brought treats and we all celebrated together after the show.

The second show was at a rehabilitation center for children. The kids could not speak and had a different way to talk. They communicated by making sounds and movements, they clapped and it was easy to understand what they wanted to say. I was happy to be able to help them to have a fun day.

Our last show was at a senior home and this was my favorite. The seniors were super nice and I could see the performance brought them memories by the way they sang along and by their comments after the show. Some of them told me they used to love to sing those songs when they were young. It was such a happy afternoon!

 Kids For a Cause is also about making new friends and learning to sing in a group. I loved my group because we were always there to help each other. If you forgot something you knew that someone was always there to help. We all like the same things, like performing, so we chatted a lot.

My favorite part of participating at Kids for a Cause was to see the smile on people’s faces every time a note came out of my mouth. ! I will never forget my first Kids for a Cause tour.

My First Edge Production

    I have been performing with Random Farms since I was in first grade and I have always had a lot of fun. I was really excited this year because I was old enough to be in my first Edge production. The Edge production this year is the hilarious show “Urinetown”. On the first day of rehearsal I was really nervous because I didn’t know many people in the cast. I knew that a lot of the people were probably going to be older than me and I found that intimidating. But everyone was extremely nice and welcoming, we even went around the room during dinner break saying our names and a fun fact about ourselves. By the end of the first rehearsal everyone was friends.

   

  I expected the music to be more challenging in an Edge production and I wondered how I would handle it. We are broken up into different voice parts to learn different harmonies. There are not that many people in each voice part so you really need to know your harmony in order for it to work. Although this is challenging, Chip (The music director) will always help you and go over your voice part, he even posts the music for us to practice. I am having a lot of fun challenging myself with the harmonies of this music. 

    

     During the dinner breaks we usually sit in a huge circle and talk about school, theatre and past productions we were in. One of the most recent things we talked about was doing a secret Santa with everyone in the cast. I think it is great how everyone in the cast is friends and everyone is always included in everything we do.

Every year Random Farms holds their annual Industry Showcase in conjunction with Broadway Workshop in NYC.  This year auditions are November 5^th, 8^th and 9^th.  This showcase provides an opportunity for young performers, age 5-18, to show off their talents in front of agents, managers and casting directors.  The showcase takes place at an amazing NYC cabaret venue.

About 4 1/2 years ago, I auditioned for the Industry showcase.  I was thrilled to learn I was chosen for the showcase and would be given a wonderful opportunity to perform.  Prior to the showcase, Anya and Marc worked with each performer providing invaluable feedback.  During rehearsal and preparation for the showcase, I met other kids who were just as excited as I was and we bonded throughout the experience.

As a result of the showcase, I met my agent and began auditioning.  Although at times it was discouraging when I didn’t get a part, I never let that hinder me.  After a lot of hard work I was cast in an Off-Broadway show called The Butterfly.  A few months after that production, I received the incredible news that I would be playing Jane Banks in Mary Poppins on Broadway.  As Mary Poppins would say, “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Random Farms gave me the opportunity to believe in myself and begin my journey.  I am grateful that I still have Random Farms to come back to and be a part of their main stage productions and their Ambassador program.

Shy Boy Hits the Stage

(Just because you’re shy doesn’t mean you can’t try)

I have a friend, Daniel, who has always been very shy. He would never talk to anyone he didn’t know, or even look into people’s eyes. But on the inside he is a totally different kid. This summer, I convinced him to try to participate on a show and socialize a bit more. It all changed when Daniel agreed to sign up for Fiddler on the Roof. In the beginning he was not fully participating, but little by little he started to participate during rehearsals and at the end the real Daniel started to come out.

         The play was directed by Julie. She encouraged Daniel to speak in a confident voice, like a soldier, the part he was playing. Daniel was Sasha, a Russian solider that should talk loud and clear. It was very exciting when we all saw how Daniel was happy on the day of the performance. On that day Daniel woke up early and got ready before everyone. I could see in his eyes he could not wait to be on stage for the first time. The minute the theatre lights went down, the audience applauded and the stage lights when up, Daniel stood up tall, put on a proud face and got ready to sing our first song “Tradition”.

         After the performance it seems a new person had come out of Daniel. He loved to be on stage and to my surprise he even said “it was one of the most fun things I have ever done”! The reason it was so surprising for me was because I remembered when he graduated from preschool a few years ago, Daniel was very scared to be in front of all the parents. I was really happy that Random Farms helped Daniel overcome his shyness. I think that shy kids who love theatre should also give it a try.

          

Getting The Role You Didn’t Want

Being a part of Random Farms Kids Theater has taught me so much and even things I didn’t expect. To be honest, every kid wants that leading role. But what happens when you get the role you didn’t want or even worse, not getting cast at all? That happens and it happened to me. At first I felt disappointed as I did everything possible to show the directors in the auditions I deserved that leading role. Could I have quit and walked away? Sure, but I didn’t because in every role you learn something you didn’t know before. That is what happens at Random Farms Kids Theater. 

If I let myself stay down and disappointed I would have never got to play a person from the early 1900’s or a mom of a bratty kid from the 70’s or even a Newsie paperboy. In every role, you learn something new. Even if you aren’t cast, there is something to learn or to try harder for next time.  Here at Random Farms Kids Theater, they taught me a lot more that just theater. It’s never giving up and throwing in the towel because you are disappointed with a role you were given. It’s all in the way you look at it. There is something to learn in every single role you get and what you put into it makes all the difference. 

You may not always get the role you want but it may be the role you need.

Remembering that feeling you had from your first Main Stage Production

Though it feels like forever, I have only been part of Random Farms Kids Theater for one year. We found RFKT on line and saw they were having auditions for The Music Man. I had no idea that I would be auditioning for their big theater program when I had never done the workshops or even a lesson there. My sister and I knew that we wanted to find a program that would inspire us and teach us everything we loved about theater.

I rehearsed and rehearsed the lines and the sang the song, “Wells Fargo Wagon” hundreds of times and wanted more than anything to get cast in the show. When the cast list came out and I saw my name, I was so excited because I knew this would be a huge challenge. I was nervous and excited to begin rehearsals. So many things happened that I never expected and that was how much fun I had and how many friends I met. I always loved going to rehearsals and learning new skills and techniques. I learned so much not only from the directors but also from my cast. Tech week was great but there is nothing quite like the feeling of getting on stage and being a part of a production you put your heart into.

Being a part of that show was so much fun and I met so many great people. There will always be a bond with the friends I made during The Music Man. I would have to say that starting my experience at RFKT with jumping into a Main Stage was nerve racking, exciting, exhilarating, amazing and the best time I’ve ever had.  There is a lot of work, effort and commitment needed to be a part of a Main Stage production and it is so worth it.

Audition Tips

'Tis the season for auditions! They're sort of like the holidays, but instead of drinking eggnog and wearing ugly sweaters, us theater kids are drinking Throat Coat tea, snuggling with humidifiers, and breaking in new jazz shoes. Also, audition time might not be so merry for some people. Not sure how to prepare for your next audition?  Feeling insecure? I've compiled a list of my greatest audition tips to help you out!

1. As soon as the audition material comes out, listen to it on loop.

We all know the saying, "practice makes perfect," and it couldn't be more true. You should make a point to practice your song or monologue, (or both) at least once a day leading up to your audition. Don't be ashamed to additionally incorporate your practice into your daily routine. So, singing in the shower and in the hallways at school is totally acceptable, if not encouraged. If any teacher tells you to stop, then they're just being boring and muzzling your creativity, (Disclaimer: SO KIDDING. Listen to your teachers)!

2. Visualize the audition scene as you practice.

Imagine yourself in front of your directors as you practice, so you won't get freaked out by their watching you during the real thing. It sounds crazy, but it's extremely important to do this. So many terrific young performers find themselves belting out their 16 counts in the mirror of their bedrooms, but freezing in front of the directors at the audition. Imagine them judging you beforehand, so you have time to judge yourself.

3. Take a video of yourself  practicing.

Body language is universal. If you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, twirling locks of your hair, or slouching during your audition, the directors may think that you're unconfident. You'll want to stand up nice and tall, (unless your character is supposed to do otherwise,) with your shoulders back and hands at your sides. When singing, avoid over-the top gestures or movements. In other words, don't make up your own choreography.

4. Get all of your stuff together a good deal of time before the audition.

Headshots. Updated resumes. Jazz or character shoes. Your perfect audition outfit. Trust me, you really don't want to leave it all until the night before. You'll be stressed, your stage parent/guardian will be angry, and it just won't be any fun at all.

5. Do what you need to do on the big day.

A tribal dance dedicated to Apollo. Shaking out your nerves in a spastic jig. Praying to William Shakespeare. Do. Whatever. Helps. You. Auditions are a stressful time for everyone, even the casting directors! Everyone will understand your strange ritual, or at least pretend to. Also keep in mind, some people get psyched out by talking to other people in the green room. If you need to be antisocial and listen to calming music in the corner before your audition, then absolutely do it.

6. Once you step into that audition room, it's all you, Baby.

Time to sparkle! Pretend nobody else in the room is auditioning, and that they are only present to witness your legendary performance. When the others audition, just say to yourself, "That was cute." However, it is essential to keep your self-assurance internal, and compliment the other performers on their audition later. The theater is full of personalities, but you still have to be courteous to others.

7. Breathe!

I cannot stress how important this last step is. When your brain receives the proper amount of oxygen anxiety levels descend, and you will always calm down. Those with vocal training know that proper breathing is essential to a strong audition. If you don't breathe, not only will you be scared, but your voice might crack while you're singing!  You've worked too hard to let something like that happen, and as long as you breathe, you'll be fine.

Most importantly, have fun. You've so got this. You've put in tons of effort for this audition, so now that all the work is done, just enjoy it. Remember, even if it doesn't go well, everything happens for a reason. Maybe you needed to prepare more, or maybe the stars just weren't in your favor. Whatever happens, it's an experience. If you follow these tips, you'll rock your audition. Break a leg!

On The Edge

Fall is just around the corner, and that means a busy season at Random Farms. Fall workshops kicked off last week, and the Edge production (an annual show at RFKT performed by high school and college students) has just begun its exciting process. This fall, the Edge is putting on a production of Urinetown.

Auditions took place last Monday and Friday. Many talented performers hailing from around the Tri-state area attended with smiling faces and sheet music in their hands; all hoping to have the chance to be a part of the cast.

Kyle Morales, age 16, was very excited to have the opportunity to audition: “Last year I participated in my first Edge production at RFKT and I had a blast”, he told me, “I had a great time learning challenging music and dances while making amazing friends along the way. I hope I get the opportunity to make new memories with this hilarious show!”

Rachel Stamberg (pictured on the right) was also excited about auditioning: “Seeing friends at the auditions just made me that much more excited for the show!” A callback list was posted soon after the auditions, listing the actors who the creative team wanted to see perform additional material and potentially be cast as principal roles in the production. The callbacks went well; and the cast list will be posted on the Random Farms website (www.randomfarms.com) this coming Wednesday, September 17th. Good luck to all who auditioned, and stay tuned for more updates when the rehearsal process begins!

Back To School / Back To Stage!

Welcome back from summer and welcome to the new Random Farms Blog! 

This year, the Ambassadors will take over the blog, sharing their insights about theater from the young person's perspective. We are so excited to see what these amazing and dedicated young theater makers have to say about rehearsing, performing, working backstage, learning new techniques, and being part of the Random Farms community.

You can learn more about the Ambassadors at www.randomfarms.com/ambassadors.

Have a great year everyone!