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Greeley Theatre’s Upcoming “Into The Woods:” An Interview with HGHS Theatre Director Jonathan Gellert

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“Powerful Artistry” in Progress! Be sure to SAVE THE DATES for Into the Woods: November 17, 18 & 19

By Ellen Davis

The Horace Greeley Theatre Company is hard at work.  Rehearsals have begun for “Into the Woods” which is scheduled for November, 17th, 18th and 19th.   I hope you all come out to see how talented our students are. They are singing, dancing and acting. They are building sets.  They are creating costumes.  They are assistant directing.  They are playing music. They are working tech. They are designing hair and makeup.  I got a sneak peek.  The kids sound amazing and it is truly a joyous atmosphere.  Recently I had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming year with Horace Greeley’s Theater Director Jonathan Gellert.  Here’s what he had to say.

Ellen Davis:  I think “Into the Woods” is such a wonderful ensemble musical.  Why did you choose it?

Jonathan Gellert:  I’ve have wanted to direct “Into the Woods” for many years and have always held off because, although it provides a uniquely large number of roles, it is not written with an ensemble. It is very important to me to have at least one show a season that provides an opportunity for every student who wishes to perform. That said, I decided pretty early on last year that “Into the Woods” would be the best show to start off this year for a number of reasons (the cast breakdown–the challenge provided by the material – the timeless message) and I have been looking for ways to involve more cast members in as much action as the production will allow.woods2

ED:  It must have made you feel great to see how many kids auditioned? There seems to be some wonderfully talented students.

JG:  There are 22 students in “Into The Woods” who are completely new to Greeley Theater and 15 of them are Freshmen. It absolutely makes me and the rest of the Performing Arts department feel great to see those numbers and to be working with so many excited and motivated young artists.

ED:  You are starting your second year at Greeley.  How’s it going so far?

JG:   As I start my second year at Greeley I am incredibly optimistic about the future of this program. Chappaqua is such a special strong passionate community that is uniquely devoted to the arts and Greeley is an extraordinary place, full of bright, hardworking and talented students.  I will do everything I can this year and in the years ahead to give this school and community the program that it deserves.woods1

ED:  What can we expect this year from the Theatre Repertory company?

JG:  The Actors in the Repertory Theater class are learning “Linklater”–that is they are working carefully and thoughtfully to lay the foundation of grounded connected performance. Linklater work and work inspired by Kristen Linklater is a staple of every major theater training program in the English speaking world. It is an advanced training that requires serious focused work and does not offer immediate gratification; however, if the exercises are approached with professionalism, maturity and diligence then they are an investment in truly powerful artistry.  We are going to take this work and apply it to our first project which is an evening of the short later experimental plays of “Samuel Beckett”. These works explore stillness and motion, silence and stream of thought and light and darkness in beautiful ways. These short plays also provide tremendous challenges for the student designers in the class. The designers in the Repertory Theater class are being mentored for this project by Charles Kirby –a professional scenic designer based in NYC. Second semester the Repertory Theater class will work on more naturalistic scene work and designers will create models and renderings. We will then work together to create an original piece.woods3

 ED:  What other productions are on tap?

JG:  After “Into the Woods” the next production on tap is “Peter and the Starcatcher.” This prequel to Peter Pan is in my opinion one of the most exciting new plays in the last 20 years. It has just become available for licensing and is being produced widely in many theaters, universities and high schools. The original Broadway cast had only one female but I plan to cast the production of 12 principles and up to eight additional ensemble evenly between male and female. I am also lucky to be good friends with two members of the original cast and have been promised that barring out of town work, they would be very happy to come and work with us here at Greeley. The next production will be an evening of three plays by Thornton Wilder. Before Wilder wrote “Our Town” he experimented with form and created a number of profound, original short works. These works play with time and space as they capture the universals within the everyday interactions of people going about their lives in early 20th century America. Finally, Springfest this year will once again offer an exciting opportunity for playwrights and directors to present their original works.

ED:  Please let everyone know when “Into the Woods” will be performed and when tickets will go on sale?

JG:   Into the Woods will be performed November 17th at 7 p.m.,  November 18th at 8 p.m. and November 19th at 8 p.m. Tickets will be on sale by the last week in October.

ED:  What would you tell a student that is curious about the theater program?

JG:  I would tell a student who is interested in the Greeley Theater program that we offer a place here for you to stretch, grow, take risks, and explore. In addition to our full production schedule, design and technical students have an opportunity to learn stagecraft from the ground up and for those who exhibit the dedication and drive, to assume leadership positions in set construction, lighting, sound and costuming.

The Theater program offers acting classes at every level, beginning with Acting 1 that lays a solid foundation of improvisation and play which will help you to get more and more comfortable on stage; Acting 2,3,4 which will teach you a solid acting technique; Repertory Theater which is designed for the serious student to take on greater and great challenges and Play writing and Directing class which culminates in our annual festival of new work. There is a place for you here at Greeley Theater!

ED:  Please feel free to add anything you would like included.

JG:   “Love the art in yourself–not yourself in the art” is central to my philosophy. I deeply believe that this quotation by Konstantin Stanislavski–the founder of modern acting training is at the heart of a healthy and safe environment.

ellen-davis-photoEllen Davis writes, produces and directs video content. She is also a Friends of Greeley Theatre board member.

 

Two Chappaqua Residents Emphasize Critical Need for Organs

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Learn More and Enroll on Organ Donor Enrollment Day in New Castle: Thursday, October 6

My daughter Acacia received a life saving transplant at 13 months old. Total strangers saved my daughter’s life. Today she is a thriving freshman at HGHS. Please sign up to be an organ donor today and help give the gift of life.”  Hailey Puleo of Chappaqua

“You can never really understand how important being an organ donor is until someone in your family is in desperate need of a life saving transplant.” Barbara Lerman of Chapppaqua, whose daughter Sydney had a heart transplant 11 years ago at the age of 2.

Acacia, organ recipient
Acacia, organ recipient

LiveOnNY is holding its second annual Organ Donor Enrollment Day on Thursday, October 6th.  This event is focused on one goal: to enroll as many willing New Yorkers as possible as organ donors in a single day.

While 92% of New Yorkers support organ donation, only 27% of New Yorkers are registered. New York ranks 50th out of 50 states in the percentage of residents registered as organ donors, and New York ranks third in the country for the number of people waiting for organ transplants, according to LongLiveNY.org.  Additionally, according to LiveOnNY, more than 120,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants. Of these, nearly 10,000 live in the greater New York metropolitan area. This contributes to a troubling fact: every 18 hours a New Yorker dies waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.enrollment-day-logo

We are doing our part – here in New Castle.  You have a choice: it can be another ordinary day, or it can be an EXTRAordinary day. It can be EXTRAordinary because you have the opportunity to be a part of an incredible movement to support organ donation and sign up to help save lives. A table will be set up in front of 26 S Greeley Ave, Chappaqua from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Let’s make October 6th an EXTRAordinary day!

 

Sydney: an organ recipient when she was two years old.
Sydney: a heart recipient when she was two years old.

Joel Seligman, President and CEO of Northern Westchester Hospital stated “Organ donation is a second chance at life, and we’re hopeful that on this enrollment day we’ll see a significant increase in registered donors in our area, I am grateful to the Town Supervisors and their teams who have embraced this initiative, for our NWH volunteers, the willingness of organ donor recipients and donor family members to share their stories and for the efforts of LiveOnNY.”

“New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated “Our community is so incredibly generous with their time and money,  We are asking them to be generous with organ donation. If we can get one person to donate, it makes this worthwhile. Come give the gift of life.  I would like to thank Barbara Lerman and Hailey Puleo for their help – not just with our drive on October 6th – but everyday!”.

 

Expressions of Gratitude to First Responders during New Castle’s 9/11 Ceremony

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 Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

A spirit of appreciation filled the bucolic space of Gedney Park’s 9/11 Memorial today as New Castle and Westchester public officials and clergy expressed their gratitude to First Responders while also commending community service and generous neighbor acts which emulate their work; preceding the ceremony, firefighters and police officers first circled into the heart of the Memorial facing and saluting speakers.

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New Castle First Responders include members of the New Castle Police Department, Chappaqua Fire Department, Millwood Fire Company, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps,, and Westchester EMS
Congresswoman Nita Lowey
Keynote Speaker Congresswoman Nita Lowey

“We follow the inspiring lead of those who sacrificed their own health in long and arduous rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero by joining this weekend in community service projects to help our neighbors,” said keynote speaker Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “And we proudly celebrate the American spirit of endurance and perseverance.”

A generosity of spirit was alive and well in New Castle in the days and months following 9/11,  according to a Narrative of 9/11*  written by New Castle’s Bob Coulombe. At the conclusion of the ceremony, it was read in three parts by New Castle town board members. The text of the narrative can be found toward the end of this story.

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Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein at the podium

At the start of the ceremony, Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein said that “On 9/11, around America we give thanks to who rushed toward danger instead of away from it; here in New Castle we have both those who grieve and those we honor and thank.  Out of the ashes we have grown stronger.

“In New Castle, that spirit of community surrounds us 365 days a year from our First Responders–fire departments and ambulance corps.– to those who help our elderly,  teach our children, or volunteer to help homeless and hungry through houses of worship.

“Let’s make sure every day we remember those we love and join me to thank those who serve us.”

Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, First Congregational Church of Chappaqua
Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, First Congregational Church of Chappaqua

In the invocation, Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, senior minister of the First Congregational Church, stated: “God be with all of our First Responders as they risk their own well-being themselves for us every day. Help us to never take for granted the work that they do so that we might be safe. Help us to remember just how precious life and living are and we may never ever take that for granted.”

911-16-trucksIntroducing Congresswoman Lowey as the keynote speaker, state Assemblyman David Buchwald described Lowey as “a guide to this country in heeding the lessons of 15 years ago at home and abroad.” He stated that as a ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, Lowey secured dollars for First Responders, and makes sure that the New York metropolitan area has received its fair share of 9/11 funds. He said Lowey has also been at the forefront of “securing our nuclear facilities, air and train facilities, and stood by our allies fighting terrorism overseas in their own land.”

“United together we will continue to endure to protect the American people,” Lowey stated, too.

Greenstein introduced Mike Wolfensohn for the “Reading of the Lost.” In doing so, Greenstein noted, “We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the efforts of Mike to bring this memorial to New Castle.”

Wolfensohn spoke eloquently and emotionally about how neighbor helped neighbor and asked the New Castle community to embrace those neighborly feelings again.

Mike Wolfensohn
Mike Wolfensohn of Chappaqua

“We all remember the color of the sky that day. We banded together…to offer love and support as we searched for our lost neighbor–everybody putting their own lives on hold for whatever needed to be done. That feeling of unity and community is what served as the basis for this memorial and this contemplative space. It was never about anything but the spirit that we all felt.”

“We tend to fall back into our regular routines… lessons are forgotten…”  He asked the New Castle community “”to embrace those good feelings about being a good neighbor, that spirit of patriotism; let’s honor the memory of those lost…by trying harder to live like we did.”

And then, with his voice breaking, Wolfensohn fondly remembered the residents of New Castle who were lost, reciting their names: Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Alan Schwartzstein.

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Temple Beth El’s Cantor Starr Trumpeter
Presentation of the Wreath, Ltd. John Vise, New Castle Police Deparement
Presentation of the Wreath, Lieutenant John Vise, New Castle Police Department

In a Benediction, Cantor Starr Trumpeter of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester stated: “9/11 ingrained in all of us that each life is a cherished offering and that each life has meaning and intention. We are reminded that many wounds are still healing and many emotions are still raw. The challenge is to remember the worst that has happened to America while moving toward a better America. “

Bagpiper Kevin Moore
Bagpiper Kevin Moore performed: Flowers of the Forest and Amazing Grace
"Brotherhood of Heroes" Girl Scout Troop 1033
“Brotherhood of Heroes” Girl Scout Troop 1033
Reading by Shobha Vanchiswar "I Remember (September 11)"
Reading by Shobha Vanchiswar “I Remember (September 11)”
"Taps" performed by Joe Sabia of the Chappaqua Orchestra
“Taps” performed by Joe Sabia of the Chappaqua Orchestra
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Volunteers of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. joined many others at a reception at the Millwood Fire Department following the ceremony. A delicious spread was prepared by the MFD’s Ladies’ Auxiliary.

* Narrative of 9/11 by CVAC Captain Bob Coulombe 

Part One, read by Council Member Lisa Katz

“On September 11, 2001, our country was attacked by Al Quaeda terrorists. These horrific attacks took place at the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, at The Pentagon in Washington D.C., and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. In total, 2,973 people perished on September 11, 2001, including three Town of New Castle Residents, Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Allan Schwartzstein.

“In the aftermath, up to 10,000 volunteers worked to recover survivors and those who were lost. These brave first responders came from all over the United States and overseas. Unfortunately, only 28 people were found alive. Another 112 people perished but were identified and returned to their grieving families for burial and closure. There are currently another 1022 victims who are memorialized at the Reflection Pools at the 9/11 Plaza. This stands at their final resting place. Visitors can find white roses from time to time at the memorial; this white rose denotes which denotes the birthday of the person on whose name it rests. This is one way we are still able to show respect and, “never forget” those who lost their lives that day.

The only surviving tree from September 11, 2001 was discovered by two iron workers, who said they tried to save it because it was the only living thing down there that day. Fortunately they were able to save it and it was treated at the New York Botanical Garden. Today that tree can be found replanted on the site just west of the South Tower. It is thriving to this day and is a great symbol of our perseverance.

O’Hara’s, a pub just south of the FDNY Ten House was cleaned up by the owner and used as a triage center on September 11, 2001. In the days following, it was used as a rehab center for the people working at Ground Zero. Volunteers were able to go to O’Hara’s for a meal, a shower, and a little rest. The Pub’s owner, Mike O’Hara, never charged anyone a cent for six months. Word of this generosity spread quickly throughout the First Responder Community and today, O’Hara’s Pub is home to over 3,000 patches from Police, Fire, EMS and Military Worldwide.

Part 2, read by Town Council Member Adam Brodsky

Minutes after the second airplane hit the towers, an unprecedented mobilization began. Our Country hadn’t seen anything like it, since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The first ever “All Hands” alarm was called by the New York City Fire Department. Police, Fire and EMS personnel mobilized in Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, as well as in surrounding states and then around the country.

Here, in The Town of New Castle, Police Chief Bob Breen received call at 9:30 am from Bob Coulombe, Captain of Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp asking permission to use the police bus to take CVAC volunteers to the World Trade Center. Chief Breen quickly agreed and CVAC Captain Bob Coulombe asked members who could to report in–with the advisory that their stay would be for an undetermined period of time. Fifteen volunteers reported in within minutes of the call for help. Dan Blum, a CVAC member and then Director of Operations for Westchester EMS joined his Paramedics at CVAC Headquarters and we were ordered by County EMS Command to report to Yonkers Raceway. First responders, along with 350 other pieces of fire apparatuses, ambulances and police vehicles, and over 1500 volunteers waited for a call to Ground Zero, but were never called down.

As CVAC was preparing to deploy, Richie Lange, from Lange’s Little Store, pulled up with sandwiches, cases of water and soda for the volunteers. We still don’t know how Richie knew we were preparing to go to Ground Zero, but we appreciate the thought and respect we felt that day, especially from Richie and his crew.

Chief Charlie Bergstrom, from the Chappaqua Fire Department, had 52 members who volunteered to go to Ground Zero in the aftermath. They were not called to Ground Zero, but reported to station houses in The Bronx to cover for fire companies, who had responded to Ground Zero. Millwood Chief, Ray Lips, had 37 members of his department respond as well.  First Assistant Chief Walter Quast and his engine crew were deployed to a staging center in Valhalla, by Westchester County Incident Command. Captain Mike Horan called his brother, Robert, in Massachusetts and with the help of FDNY Captain Rickets, set up a critical item relay to Ground Zero.

Chief Breen put on his other hat as a Lt. Commander in the Naval Militia and was part of a team who reached out to the affected families to secure DNA evidence to help identify victims. Bob Coulombe was the Commander of a team and the effort of his people and other teams resulted in the largest DNA effort to assist victim identification in United States History.

Under the supervision of Lt. John Vize, The New Castle Police Department sent officers to New York City in order to provide a variety of services, including controlling critical infrastructure, roadways and passages such as tunnels and bridges. Many went on their own time to help with Rescue and Recovery on the pile and spent days working there.

Part 3, read by Town Council Member Jeremy Saland

Jerry Faiella, who was New Castle Town Administrator at the time, with the consent of Supervisor Marion Sinek, sent out an appeal to the citizens of New Castle to donate equipment to help the rescuers have sufficient tools, gloves, masks etc. Within a few days The Town was able to fill a tractor trailer, donated by Barr Brothers Moving Company, and drive down to Ground Zero to be put to use by all rescue teams and volunteers.

Diana Quast and the women of the Millwood Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary collaborated to provide a compendium of skill sets offered by the citizens of New Castle. This book was delivered to the Jacob Javitz Center and became an asset of the Incident Command Team dealing with the complexity of the work being done in and around Ground Zero.

On May 2, 2002, the last piece of steel was removed in a ceremony marking the end of that deployment. The cost is calculated at 100 million dollars a week. 1.5 million tons of debris was removed. Mike Wolfenson arranged for New Castle to receive the steel remnant from Ground Zero, that steel is the centerpiece of this memorial around which we gather today.

Today is the 15th Anniversary of these horrific attacks and since this memorial was created in 2008, we come here to reflect and remember every year. It is a good thing that we, as a community meet, pause to reflect, and remember the impact of this solemn day in our history. We must also remember the immediate and active response that the citizens of New Castle contributed that day and in the days that followed– ready to go at a moments notice and with no questions asked.

God rest the souls of Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Alan Schwartzstein. God Bless their families, God Bless this Community and God Bless the United States of America.

Respectfully submitted

Bob Coulombe, Captain CVAC on September 11, 2001

State Senate Hopeful Alison Boak Receives Effusive Endorsements from Fellow Democrats

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ali-endorsersAlison Boak: “I’m interested in solving problems, not playing politics.”

By Grace Bennett

Mount Kisco, September 7–Citing especially Alison (‘Ali’) Boak’s record of  advocating for “the most vulnerable victims,” and offering a host of other reasons for their support, a key group of Democrat public officials from Westchester and Putnam Counties gathered to offer unequivocal endorsements for Boak to assume a state Senate seat in the 40th district.  She is running against Terence Murphy, an incumbent.

County legislator Michale Kaplowitz heaped praise on Boak for “her zeal, passion and a phenomenal work ethic, “ along with her “huge dose of integrity.”

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef noted Boak would work together with her and other legislators to help fight the pipeline threatening a host of area communities. Like herself, Galef noted Boak is “not in favor of the huge pipeline coming through all of our communities just to bring fracked gas to other countries,” and that Boak would work to support renewable energy sources.

She lauded Boak’s recent press conference promising to fight child sexual abuse with the passage of the Omnibus Child Victims Act, which would allow an opportunity for victims to “try to reckon with the person who has been their abuser.”

Galef said Boak is “the right person” to address “ethical challenges in our state Capital,” and that she trusted Boak to be “looking for transparency in  legislative initiatives, and very carefully looking at outside income. This is a full time job.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald called Boak a “fantastic partner” in the public arena…”not just a follower but a true leader and a force to be reckoned with; she will have a real positive impact. She cares about families, and those who go without a voice: adolescents facing human trafficking.”

Chief David Ryan of Pound Ridge said he was speaking on behalf of “Ali Boak, the person, who is working to help the most vulnerable victims come out of the hell they live with into a better world.”

For her part, Boak said she was “extremely honored” by the officials gathered before the September 13th primary “putting their trust and confidence in me.” She reiterated her commitment to fight child sexual abuse and added that she is fed up with the corruption in Albany. “I’m ready to stand up to corrupt officials,” she said. “I’m always ready to fight the status quo. I’m interested in solving problems, not playing politics.” 

Ali Boak and Child Sex Abuse Victims Rally to Push for Passage of Omnibus Child Victims Act

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Article and Photo by Grace Bennett

Mount Kisco–When Jean Farber, a trustee for the village of Mount Kisco, heard that state Senate candidate (40th District) Alison Boak would be gathering a group of child sex abuse survivors and children victim advocates at Town Hall, she didn’t hesitate. She agreed to also join the community gathering on August 31 during which Boak promised to fight for the Omnibus Child Victims Act passage in the New York State Senate. Its passage would help get predators off the streets by changing the current Statute of Limitations.Ali boak conference

“How can you not support this if you love children? I’m overwhelmed with disbelief that something so simple has not yet been passed,” said Farber. “I can’t wrap my brain around it.”

‘Ali’ Boak feels the same way, so she assured those gathered that she will push for passage of the act that will eliminate the statute of limitations for new incidences of child sexual abuse. “It will allow victims who have already been abused one year to seek justice against their abuser.” Under current New York State law, a victim of childhood sexual abuse must report that abuse or file a lawsuit against the parties responsible by their 23rd birthday. Since studies show that it takes a survivor an average of 21 years before they can disclose their abuse, the current law robs many survivors of their opportunity to seek justice, Boak explained.

Boak touted a track record of 20 years addressing exploited or trafficked youth, and said passage of this bill would be her immediate priority.

On the steps of Town Hall, child victims advocate and child sex abuse survivor Gary Greenberg, who has put up $100,000 of his own funds for a Fighting for Children PAC said:  “Predators are prowling our streets…either you are with the victims or you are with the predators.  We need a Senator in place who will fight for the victims.

“Victims don’t forget,” Greenberg noted. “I can tell you what my abuser was wearing 30 years later. In 50 years, nothing has changed in this state.” He called New York “the worst” for being “behind the rest of the country on this.”

A second speaker, Andrew Willis, CEO, Stop Abuse Campaign: noted CDC stats indicating one of five people will be sexually abused before they are 18. “It’s a bigger problem than childhood cancer.”

Willis said he was raped at age 10. “The statute of limitations protects rapists; it doesn’t protect children like me.”

“There’s no statute of limits on murder, no statue of limits on the rape of adults, no statute of limitations on a parking ticket in New York City…so why the hell do we have a statute of limitations on child sexual abuse, the murder of our soul?” Willis asked.

“Sex offenders belong on sex offender registries; they do not belong on our streets,” he continued.  “We  need to pass this act to make sure predators are held accountable. Some 90% of sexual predators don’t see jail time, according to a  2008 study by Robert Baker of the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, Massachusetts Office of Public Safety.

In his own case, he stated: “It took 21 years to disclose the abuse; shame and fear lock you down. Creating an environment in which kids can come forward is critical to prevention.”

Following the rally, Boak also issued a statement to the media addressing the sexual abuse scandal in Chappaqua, that of Greeley Drama Teacher Christopher Schraufnagel (who will be facing sentencing soon in New Castle; Justice Kraus is reviewing a plea deal in the case which could preclude him from being placed on a sex offender registry).  Boak thought that was wrong: “I think all child sexual predators should be required to be on the sex offender list.  The allegations pled guilty to should require him to be on a sex offender registry.”