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Clarkstown Summer Theatre
Alumni Page Part 2
This page is for all our alumni to keep in touch with one another.
We will try to highlight what our alumni are doing right now.
Please get in touch with us and let us know what you're up to.
Just E-mail us by clicking below:
CONTACT US
ALUMNI INFORMATION
HARRY WEINGER
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Harry
presents Mary Wilson of the Supremes with a gold record.
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Class
of 1973-1975.
Harry, currently Vice
President of A&R for Universal Music Enterprises, the catalog reissue arm of
Universal Music Group, is a member of the original STF team. A Grammy winner, an
NAACP Image Award winner and 23-year veteran of the music industry – as well as
a Summer Theatre Festival honorary trustee – he holds CSTF in high esteem. “It
was more than a fun summer, it was a way to express myself and do it in a
professional atmosphere. It set the tone for the rest of my career,” he recalls
fondly.
“I
went to the audition to help out a girl I was crazy about but my interest was
not returned,” he adds. “She instead was encouraging me to try out for CSTF
myself. When my thing for her went nowhere I decided to audition myself, even
though I had not been involved in any productions during the school year. Shock
of all shocks, they made me the second male lead in
Brigadoon. CSTF then became my focus. I ate up every aspect, from lighting
to stage direction, learning lines to actors’ give and take.”
Following Brigadoon, Harry was involved with the Clarkstown High South
production of Bye Bye Birdie. “I
auditioned for Birdie but I got Mr. McAfee instead. The Birdie’s they had were
much better,” he says.
He
was Buffalo Bill in CSTF’s 1974 production of
Annie Get Your Gun. In 1975 Harry chose to work backstage for CHSS’s school
year production of Fiddler On The Roof
and continued his interest by working with the stage crew on CSTF’s Kiss Me Kate. In between he was the lead actor in the CHSS senior
production of Any Number Can Die.
“What became apparent, though, was that my passion for music was number
one in my mind,“ Harry says. “I loved radio and when it came time to pick a
college, I chose Ithaca College in upstate NY. Great drama department, but they
let freshman get involved with the radio station right away. All I wanted was to
play the music, talk about it, give it to people. Believe me, I used all my
skills from CSTF to do that.”
Harry
became Music Director for WICB-FM while majoring in Communications at IC. He won
two collegiate radio production awards, graduated
cum laude and, using his industry contacts from working at the radio
station, finished up his final semester as an intern at Arista Records. Upon
graduation Harry worked in radio production, for NBC Radio Networks and
Progressive Radio Network. He also he worked as an assistant to the music
director at WABC Radio in New York, with fellow IC ’79 graduate Steven
Goldstein, who at the time was the station’s assistant program director. He
became a WABC-WPLJ staff engineer shortly after.
In 1983 he
began a stint as a journalist, landing a job as a columnist for Cash Box magazine. The following year he freelanced for several
music-oriented publications, including
Billboard
magazine. Harry started with
PolyGram Records in 1985, as the publicity department’s staff writer. After
working with artists like Bon Jovi, Cameo, Robert Cray, Vanessa Williams,
et al, he left to start his own consulting company in 1989. The CD reissue
business exploded at the same time, and Harry worked for several labels,
including PolyGram, Sony and Atlantic, producing various reissues. He also wrote
for Rolling Stone magazine, among others.
Harry
rejoined PolyGram in 1992 as Director of A&R for the catalog group, retaining
his position throughout two mergers as PolyGram became part of the Universal
Music Group. He was named Vice President of A&R for catalog in 2001. In the past
decade-plus has produced and written liner notes for dozens reissues and
compilations, notably the James Brown catalog and the Motown family of classic
recordings. He has won a Grammy Award (1991) and a NAACP Image Award (2000) for
his work. Harry is also a member of the nominating committee of the Rock & Roll
Hall Of Fame and was recently named to the NARAS (Grammy) Liner Notes nominating
committee. He lives in Montclair, NJ, with his wife and son. You may
contact Harry at:
hweinger@gmail.com
GLEN FASMAN
Glen has taken his experiences at CSTF (Five years as crew member,
assistant lighting designer and stage manager, and his five years as a board
member) and used it in the varied career that he has pursued. After
graduating from Cornell and the Yale School Drama, Glen pursued theatrical
lighting design work for five years in New York and around the country. He
designed at the Yale Rep, Skylight Opera Theatre, Theatre of the First
Amendment, Delaware Theatre Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Penguin Rep,
and The Kitchen.
Seven years ago he made a change and started working as an
architectural lighting designer, and three years ago started his own design
firm, Bliss Fasman Architectural Lighting. Their current and recently completed
projects include a performing arts center in Texas; a science museum in
Shanghai; a 102-story office tower in Taipei; corporate offices for the
Discovery Channel and the US Patent and Trade Offices; and retail centers in
Atlanta, Richmond, Myrtle Beach, China, Korea and Spain. Glen currently
lives in Brooklyn, with his partner Roger and their dog, Emma.
Glen Fasman Principal
Bliss, Fasman Inc.
23 Leonard Street
New York, NY 10013
212 343 8400 v
212 343 8740 f
mail@blissfasman.com
ADAM GRUPPER
Class
of 1977-1979.
Adam Grupper has appeared on Broadway in
"Into the Woods", "City of Angels", "The Secret Garden" and "Guys and Dolls". He
has been featured on "Law & Order", "Lois & Clark", "As the World Turns" and a
ghastly pilot for UPN, "Black At Ya".
Adam can currently be seen
running up and down stadium stairs in terrible distress in an Imodium ad which
seems to run (no pun intended) every five minutes, usually (and annoyingly)
during dinner time. He is making only a slightly more dignified living appearing
nightly in the Off-Broadway hit "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" at the
Westside Theatre. Feel free to come see the show.
TIM SATERNOW
Class
of 1976-1983.
Tim was involved with CSTF as Actor: Carousel, Three Penny Opera,
Of Thee I Sing. As, Assistant Technical Director: West Side Story. As, Scenic
Designer: Music Man (1982), Kismet (1983)
(Scenic & Lighting Design) Tim is a set and
lighting designer in New York and in Regional Theatre, Opera, Film and
Television.
Recent designs at The Humana Festival at the
Actors Theatre of Louisville include Rembrandt's Gift by Tina Howe and
Limonade Tous les Jour by Charles Mee. And recently, the lighting design for
the Broadway musical SQUONK at the Helen Hayes Theatre.
Some regional theatres include the Seattle
Rep, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, Arkansas Rep, The Arden Theatre, The
Juilliard School, City Theatre, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, American Jewish
Theatre, PlayMakers Rep., The Wilma Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Williamstown
Theatre Festival, The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, The Phoenix Theatre,
Intiman, The Empty Space, Seattle Children's Theatre, Alice B. Theatre and the
Yale Repertory Theatre. Also worked on many Broadway shows, New York City Opera,
Live from Lincoln Center, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and the
Children's Television Workshop
He was Design Associate for the Seattle Repertory Theatre
and Artistic Associate at the Empty Space, Seattle.
Tim received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Art
Direction on a Special: Hallmark Hall of Fame production of August Wilson's The
Piano Lesson. Also 'Best of
Pittsburgh' Theatre Award for set design by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
He was designer of the 1996 & 2003 Prague
Quadrennial - Schools of Scenography Exhibit .His design work has been published
in Scene Design and Stage Lighting Seventh Edition by W. Oren Parker and
R. Craig Wolf, TD&T, Theatre Design & Technology, Yale THEATRE Magazine. He is a
voting Member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (THE EMMY AWARDS),
Los Angeles, CA; and a member of USITT - United States Institute for Theatre
Technology; And also of the United Scenic Artists Union # 829, NY.
Tim got his MFA from Yale School of Drama;
His BFA from SUNY Purchase .He was a former faculty member of Carnegie Mellon
University, 1992-1996. Tim is currently Head of Design at the University of
Connecticut. Tim may be contacted at:
Tim.Saternow@uconn.edu
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WHAT ARE THEY UP TO NOW?
SOME ALUMNI E-MAILS!
Hey, this is Doug Feig,
I was an member of CSTF for five years, going all the back to Barnum days and
ending my CSTF run with Singing in the Rain. I just wanted to get back in
touch with you guys and let you know whats going on in my life, since CSTF has
been a huge part of my upbringing.
I've been attending SUNY Fredonia for the past four years, pursuing a double
degree in music education and percussion performance. I haven't actually been
too active in the performing arts world, since practicing has eaten my soul,
but I always speak highly of CSTF.
I've had an opportunity to perform with the brand new dance department here
and SUNY Fredonia, performing an African piece with and a contemporary dance
piece. I always wanted to audition for the musicals here, but I've either been
too busy gigging or playing for the pit! Funny side-note... my freshman year
the musical was BARNUM! HAHAHAHA! They've also done Wizard of Oz, Rocky Horror
Picture Show, Pippin, and this year it is Victor, Victoria (where I'll be
playing the accordion!). Besides that, things have been going greatly.
One piece of great news was that I won a Concerto Competition held for all
Fredonia School of Music students, and I be performing my concerto next
Saturday with the Fredonia Wind Ensemble (3/8/08). Hopefully things will go
without a problem (we can only hope).
Soon I'll be student teaching up in the buffalo area, and then off to graduate
school to continue on my "musical journey." Again, I just wanted to reiterate
how much CSTF has changed my life for the better. I have kept in contact with
most of the people that I did shows with, and always share some of the funnier
stories of CSTF rehearsals (whether it be breaking Ramon's nose with a shoe
during Barnum rehearsal, tap dancing like a crazy maniac for three summers
straight, or the infamous Closing Night parties at the Feig house!!!)
Thanks again to everyone involved in CSTF for making me the person that I am
today. I have gained a complete respect for musical theater, and will continue
to be involved the performing arts forever.
Doug Feig
Xylodramo@aol.com
P.S.- Here are a couple of websites to show the articles of me winning the
concerto competition and the announcement of me performing with the Wind
Ensemble.
http://ww2.fredonia.edu/news/NewsRoom/tabid/1101/ctl/ArticleView/mid/1878/articleId/735/Default.aspx
http://www.fredonia.edu/prweb/cr/vol38_2.htm (YES, I shave my head!!!)
Dear CSTF,
I was excited to hear that you'll be performing Carousel this summer! Having
played Carrie at Suffern High School (about a billion years ago), I know the
students will have a great time with this show.
I wanted to write with a quick update. Since the end of August, I have been
working for Actors' Equity Association and I'm loving it. I started out in
the Developing Theatre department, and very recently moved to Production - I
am now working on all things Disney, as well as all of the Broadway tours.
It's been great so far!
And of course, I'm still with Broadway Artists Alliance. (www.broadwayartistsalliance.org).
I've gotten to work with some truly incredible people (google us!),
including (to name just a few) fellow Rockland native Jason Robert Brown,
Stephen Schwartz, Lea Salonga, John Gallagher Jr, Sutton Foster, Beth Leavel,
etc.
Also recently, I taught an audition workshop at Stage Left. I met some
really talented students, and I'm hoping to do more of that around Rockland.
I'm still sad I was unable to attend the alumni show this past summer, but I
am hopeful to visit in 2008.
All the best,
Michelle R. Lehrman (CSTF Alum 2000-2003)
michelle@broadwayartistsalliance.org
Michelle R. Lehrman
Program Admissions Director
Broadway Artists Alliance
209 W. 40th Street, Suite 202
New York, NY 10018
(212) 561-9429 BAA Office
(646) 709-9918 BAA Studio
Pieter Roos
1974-1979
Hi all!
It only took me about thirty years to notice that there was a website.
Sometimes I'm a little thick. It is great to see all those people that I knew
checking in at the site. STF was one of the best experiences of my younger
years and I will never forget either it or the wonderful people both staff and
friends who were in it and helped shape my life in such a positive way.
I was in most of the first STF productions and my mother and
father were very involved as well.
 (That's
him in the photograph with Harley Strieff and Juanita James in the CSTF slide
show. My mother is seated in the background. It was 1974 and Annie Get Your
Gun by the way not Brigadoon).
I started with Annie Get Your Gun and played Mr.
Wilson. In Kiss Me Kate I played the First Gangster and the following year,
the Starkeeper in Carousel (never liked that show) and finished up after
senior year with Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. I worked on the two following
productions while I also did some productions with other STF alums including
Phil, Alan, Ira, Jeff, Adam, Richard and a few others when we called ourselves
the Clarkstown Collegiate Players. I thought about going into theatre as my
father had but didn't really want to live in New York or L.A. I think that my
last involvement with STF was that I designed and did much of the artwork for
the poster for Pirates of Penzance. (which Dad directed)
I live in Portsmouth, Rhode Island with my wife
Barbara, my two girls, Charlotte (10) and Annika (5) and a few assorted cats.
I have been employed in the museum field for almost 24 years and currently run
a museum in Newport, RI called the Newport Restoration Foundation which
maintains and operates almost 80 17th and 18th century houses and one of
Newport's Gilded Age Mansions, Rough Point, formerly the home of Doris Duke.
We have made the Newport area our home since 1993. Before that I lived the
vast wasteland of suburban New Jersey. I still fence for those of you who
remember me doing that offbeat sport and yes I am now a Red Sox fan and I am
an avid sailor.
My parents, Casper and Shirley Anne, for those many of you who
remember working with them over the years are still alive and well although in
their early eighties. They live in Newport, having moved here about two years
ago.
 My
dad still has a quite powerful singing voice (which is very unusual at that
age) and my mother still coaches and accompanies for him. Last week he did
four days worth of extra jobs in Boston for some Kevin Spacey movie and
occasionally still does voiceovers as well.
I hope to see some of you at the 2007 reunion if I am able to
make it down there and look forward to contacting others from the web site.
Best regards,
Piet
pieter@newportrestoration.org
AN
E-MAIL FROM A CSTF FOUNDING FATHER
25 April 2007
Just the other day I read in our local paper that the University of North
Carolina's Playmaker Theater will be starting a youth summer program and its
first production will be "Oliver". It brought back our memories of the first
years of CSTF. Judy and I have been living near Chapel Hill, North Carolina
for the past ten years...wow! It seems just a week ago we were sweating
budgets and auditions at South. Reading your website brought back so many
friends, now mommas and poppas and theater pros. Traditions start small and
grow if they have quality and I suspect the CSTF retains the high standards
that we tried to put in place 35 years ago. Clarkstown is a wonderful
community and its young sons and daughters want for little in terms of summer
recreation, yet the CSTF provided something very special for those interested
in the arts and theater. Many of you had daytime summer jobs yet managed to
get to South after work and a quick dinner. Some continued pursuing those
interests in college and later, but all retained the spirit and the work ethic
that the program offered and I presume still does. Each of you, and your
parents should take pride in the program.
Judy and I are well. Both in our eighth decade we keep very busy. I still
manage to design a couple of plays in North Carolina while Judy, with two knee
replacements, manages to find herself at the University golf course a couple
of times a week. I was in LA, peddling a screenplay, a short while ago but
sadly didn't manage to contact our LA alumni. One of these days I expect a
commissary lunch at one of the studios. I do manage to keep in touch with Tim
Saternow, but we'd love to hear from many others. 'Til then...email :
EGJG@
earthlink.net. Fribitt.
Judy & Gene Gurlitz
MORE ALUMNI E-MAIL
Dear CSTF:
How great to find this
site and read the messages from everyone. I honestly hadn’t thought about
CSTF for years. I was Lazar Wolf in Fiddler (1986) and was in Gypsy (87).
It is so nice to find some small connection to what seems such a distant
past. Since then, I graduated from Yale with a degree in history and from
University of Washington Law School.
I
currently practice law in a solo practice in Seattle.
www.dubinlawoffice.com.
When
I’m not working, I am a tenor with the Seattle Symphony Chorale. I had a
vocal solo with the symphony a few years ago in Schumann’s Manfred, but I
don’t really have ambition to be a soloist. I really love singing with the
Choir and plan to do so as long as they let me. This year we are performing
Bach’s Mass in B minor in March. I can’t wait. If any of you are in
Seattle, come see it.
www.seattlesymphony.org
It was CSTF that really
fostered my love of performance - something I know I’ll be doing in some
capacity for the rest of my life. (I guess that’s what a trial lawyer does
every day.)
Thank you to CSTF for
being around when I was there, and thank you now for hosting and maintaining
this great site.
Matt Dubin (86-87)
M_dubin@hotmail.com
Hi CSTF,
Just saw your very flattering web site. I
want to send my regards and thanks to CSTF and all my friends there. Take
care.
Love, Phil Rosenthal
Dear CSTF,
I can't believe it has been 4 years since I
took my last bow with CSTF!I still treasure the memories, and my closest
friends today are the ones I made at CSTF 4-7 (aaaah) years ago.
I am sad to say I will not be able to attend
the anniversary performance this year! I truly wish I could make
it, but I will be running my own program! For two years, I have been
working for Broadway
Artists Alliance (
www.broadwayartistsalliance.org)- a non-profit musical theatre
training program for ages 10-19.The anniversary performance falls right
in the middle of the two week workshop! Alumni Jessica Rose Margolis and
Christopher Shepard work with: BAA on the dance staff. CSTF faculty
alumni Justin Boccitto and Celeste Simone have both taught master
classes for the program, and will be returning this summer as well
(along with composer Stephen Schwartz!!). I like to hire people I work
well with! :)
I recently graduated from Wagner College with a
B.S. in Arts Administration (theatre concentration). Over the last four
years I have interned with the Roundabout Theatre Company, the Splinter
Group, and I've worked as a talent escort at the Tony Awards for the
last 3 years. I have carried my experiences with CSTF through all
of this!
Broadway Artists Alliance runs workshops all
year, but the biggest are the summer and winter intensives. I would love
to see some CSTF alumni this winter! Please let me know if anyone is
interested, and I would be happy to send some information.
I wish the best of luck to the cast, pit, crew, and staff of
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (one of my favorite shows!). I am trying to
arrange my schedule so that I can attend a performance. Happy
anniversary, and "Merde!"
Best,
Michelle R. Lehrman
michelle@broadwayartistsalliance.org
(212) 561-9429
PS~ Join the CSTF Alumni group on Facebook!There are about 100
members so far!
CSTF!
What great memories! I'm proud to see that CSTF continues to grow
and get better each year! I was fortunate to play Bobby in "Crazy
for You" years ago in 2001, I think, and have always treasured the
memories!
Since then, I took a year off and spent a year in NYC training as an
actor, then was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. I
then
went to Cornell, where I'm a English Major just about to graduate!
In 2004, I founded the Melodramatics Theatre Company, and it is now
the largest student theatre group at Cornell. There is one thing
that I loved about CSTF is something that I emulated in my group: the
fact that you have lots of people doing what they love. The
students
can join to be in the orchestra or the crew or to act. That
community model was missing at Cornell, where many groups thought
they were 'too good' to let crew people or pit people be full members
of the group. It takes a huge team to bring a musical to fruition,
and I haven't seen a lot of mostly volunteer operations that run
better than CSTF!
Good luck to all the company of the next show!
Justin Leader
Executive Producer
Melodramatics Theatre Company
jl434@cornell.edu
AIM: TidyEnding
http://www.JustinLeader.com
http://www.Melodramatics.com
"The art of making art is putting it together, bit by bit."
Stephen Sondheim, "Sunday in the Park With George" |
Hi everyone,
I was at work and was thinking of you guys. The hotel I work at has the elegance
of the 1950's as a theme. When it opened, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra,
Katherine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, etc all stayed and performed there.
Therefore, the hotel plays all these songs from that time period. It's nice to
be able to appreciate this music even though I was not around at that time
because of my young exposure to shows such as Pajama Game and Crazy for You. I'm
always surprised that I still remember the words so many years later.
I have recently been promoted to the sales department. As my hotel is often used
for conventions and conferences, I will be assisting the sales managers meet
their goals of having more groups come to our hotel. I think it is very
important to appreciate another department and understand where they are coming
from.
It's really nice to work somewhere that has music that brings back so many great
memories. Hope you are all doing well:)
Always,
Sue Schwartzberg
http://www.edenrocresort.com/
Hi to all my old friends from
Summer Theater.
Being a Russian Jew in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF started my interest in
acting. After that I did PAJAMA GAME (where I played the 2nd Helper) and then
OLIVER (Noah Claypole). I was also the First recipient of the Carol Kenny Award
(a lifetime member of Summer Theater who is no longer with us). After that I
took the trip of a lifetime to Rome to meet the Pope...18 beautiful days in
Germany, Switzerland (you should see the Swiss Alps), Italy, France, Czech
Republic, Austria and of course Rome. Next to acting in the Summer Theater
Program, that was the best experience I have ever had. After being off for a
year I came back just to do stage crew for CRAZY FOR YOU. Right now I am working
as a Assistant Head Security Guard in Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River. I have
been a Volunteer Fireman for 3 years now...1st two in Nanuet and now with Spring
Valley Hill Hooks. I would like to thank MOTHERS....Stephanie Rosen and Donna
Lazreg for always being there for me throughout the years. Keep well and if
you'd like to write to me...I am at:
springvalley17@hotmail.com
Mark Anthony Pieroni
Hi CSTF,
I am a proud CSTF alum from the late 80s (Gypsy, Anything Goes, Lil Abner).
It would be a lot of fun to reconnect with old friends - or to make some new
ones!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Alisa Schiff
ajschiff@msn.com
Hi all! Sue Schwartzberg here from CSTF Bye Bye Birdie
(1996), Fiddler on the Roof (1997), The Pajama Game
(1998), Oliver (1999). When I was in high school, I believed that
many of the lessons I learned about the craft of acting would only be
important to me if I did acting as a career. I mean when else would not
having your back to the audience or not letting your personal problems
enter your character's world be of any importance? Recently, I have
realized that these tips can help with other career choices as well. I
graduated from Binghamton University in May and am now living in
Miami Beach, Florida working at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel's front
desk (it's one of the Marriot's). The manager continues to harp the same
critiques my directors would tell the cast in CSTF, for example all
departments are important and must communicate as they all depend on each
other. In some ways working in hospitality is like putting on a show for a
new audience every day. Even if you gave the people yesterday a wonderful
experience, these new people know nothing about it. I never thought high
school would help prepare me for my future career. I am lucky that so many
of the concepts my manager now introduces I already am comfortable with
due to my performance experience with CSTF and Clarkstown South's
Centerstage. I hope all is well..
Always, Sue Schwartzberg
Sue0824@aol.com
Thought you might like to see a response to the e-mail below, from a
current student of CSTF, Katrina Curato!
Hi, This is
Katrina Curato.
I was reading on the alumni page and read the entry sent in by Tina Carone:
"... by the way, is "fribit" still done in CSTF? years ago... way back in
the beginning, the cast and crew would gather in the band room before each
performance and we would circle the director Harley and the producer Gene
Gurlitz saying "fribit" over and over getting louder and louder... till we
were all excited and ready to "break a leg" some of my most precious
memories are from those times... "
To which I'd like to send a reply in:
Hi! I'm in CSTF now
and I found it a nice surprise that fribit goes back farther than I thought
it did...there has been a few alterations and additions, but the fact that
fribit can be traced that far makes it all the more special to me. The
cast this year would agree that fribit stands for all of the past
friendships that has been made in CSTF and carried over. I thought
you'd like to hear that it's still here. :)
Sincerely,
Katrina Curato
TINA"S
REPLY: I enjoyed
reading Katrina’s comments about fribit! To think… that was 32years ago… and
that someone considers that History!!!
Wish I lived closer, I’d love to be able to see the shows each year.
Tina
Carone, REALTOR
Curry & Company Real Estate, Inc.
3341 Cardinal Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
772-234-6808 voice mail ext 203
772 538-2118 Direct line
TinaC423@bellsouth.net
WOW!!! WHAT A SURPRISE!!! This website is wonderful... really brings back
memories. I am a CSTF alum early 70's version!!! My name then was Tina Ferretti
now Tina Carone. I was the "costume" person. I was thrilled to get some info on
Jonathan Grupper... please forward my e-mail to him if you can. I'd love to hear
from him...meanwhile, I'll be watching those Imodium ads more carefully!!!
speaking of ads, Ira Brooks is involved in commercial production I plan to
forward the link to him, his brother Larry, and to Felicia Seiden who was the
assistant to Harley Streif for several years. I really hope you can develop a
database of alumni... Also, I have many photos, if you are interested in any, I
will try to e-mail them to you... I currently live in Vero Beach Florida (and
have since 1981) I'm married for 10 years Keep up the great work!
I found your address while searching on Yahoo for the Clarkstown south
website... can't believe I have not seen it before that! I will dig through my
photos and scan a few as I get a chance... if you think it would be worthwhile,
I could photocopy some of the better ones and snail mail them to you... by the
way, is "fribit" still done in CSTF? years ago... way back in the beginning, the
cast and crew would gather in the band room before each performance and we would
circle the director Harley and the producer Gene Gurlitz saying "fribit" over
and over getting louder and louder... till we were all excited and ready to
"break a leg" some of my most precious memories are from those times... my first
show was Annie get your Gun. Mrs. Levitan was the adult advisor for costumes ...
for Kiss me Kate it was hilarious teaching all the guys how to put on tights!!!
well, I won't bore you with any more of my rambling, please feel free to edit
the comments and post them to the site... along with my e-mail address... I love
to hear from old friends!
Thanks,
Sincerely, Tina Carone
Hey everyone!
Amy Kochmeister here, wanting to let everyone out there
know what I've been up to in the 4 years since my last summer theatre
experience. I participated in 3 summer theatre show, Fiddler '97, Pajama
Game '98, and Oliver '99.
Since then I've been a college student who's gone through
several majors and schools. After graduating from RCC in 2001, I spent a
semester at SUNY Purchase and finally settled myself at STAC. I will
graduate in December, and most likely attend graduate school.
For the past 2 years I've worked for the YMCA as Assistant
Site Director at the Woodglen After School Program. I also currently
work at Rockland Center for the Arts as Camp Administrative Coordinator,
Music Instructor and Administrative Assistant. I love working with
children and consider myself lucky that I get to involve music in
my work.
Last summer I got engaged to another summer theatre
alumni, Jason Alinkofsky. We hope to get married Fall of 2004!
Well that's an update from me, I hope to hear from some of
you who I haven't seen in a while.
Good Luck to all!
Amy Kochmeister
Hey Everyone from CSTF!
Andrea Schwartz here ( Bye Bye Birdie (1996),
Fiddler on the Roof (1997), The Pajama Game (1998), Oliver
(1999),
Barnum (2000) ).
As I was looking
at the CSTF website, and reading other alumni's updates I decided to
update you guys about what I have been up to. I am currently a
senior at Ramapo College of NJ. After attempting to stay
away from theater my freshman year of college and therefore being
unhappy I have decided to double major Mathematics and Theater. (I
know I am crazy for studying Math but I like the challenge). I
hope to pursue a career in Stage Management.
I still love
acting but I know realistically that I could not make it is an actress.
I still perform whenever possible. Last semester I was lucky
enough to be in a one act called Tender Offer. My
character's name was Lisa. She is a 9-year-old girl who was upset
with her dad. It was a cute story and it was fun playing a child.
My new passion is
Stage Managing. Last semester I Stage Managed a show called Top
Girls and currently I am Stage Managing a one act called When We
Were Young for the Samuel French festival in NYC. I am so
excited but very nervous. In the fall, I am Stage Managing The
Seagull at Ramapo.
I do not think I
would be pursuing Theater as a career if not for CSTF. The people
involved in CSTF gave me some of the best memories and summers of my
life. I am truly grateful. My e-mail address is
Musicals1@aol.com and I hope to hear from those of you who I have lost touch with. I
miss you guys! Good Luck with George M and I hope all is
well.
Love,
Andrea :-)
Hey Everyone at CSTF!!!!
Susan Saladino here (Babes in Arms, Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma!) The
website is wonderful!!! I graduated from The Hartt School in May 2003.
It's funny how things come Full circle, my first show with CSTF was
Babes in Arms, and my last show at college. I'm currently playing Hodel
in Fiddler on The Roof at the Carousel Dinner Theater. In the Fall I'm
going out on the national tour of The Sound of Music as the Maria cover.
I've been pretty busy since I left Clarkstown and when not on the road I
reside in Queens. It's always fun bumping into alumni in the city
and at auditions!!! I hope all is well! Good luck with George M! I
hope to be around to see it!!!
Best wishes...
Love,
Susan Saladino
SusanUARTS@aol.com
Hi CSTF, What fun to run across the CSTF page and read
the messages from other people who were with Summer Theatre during the
mid-70's! The unofficial New City Jewish Center Mother's Network
has kept me informed about a number of people, and it's great to read
about
everyone else. As for me, after many years in San Francisco, working
first as a lawyer and then as a bookseller, I moved to a town called
Visby on the island of Gotland, about 50 miles off the east coast of
Sweden. I'm married to a
Swedish artist named Björn Mascher and working as a textile artist (for
my hopelessly out-of-date website, see
http://home.swipnet.se/uncredentialed-art and as an English
teacher and translator. I'd love to hear from folks from my Summer
Theatre
days, and if anyone is planning a trip to Sweden, please feel free to
drop me an email for tourist advice and a complimentary recipe for
reindeer quiche. Randy Sklaver (chorus/dancer in Carousel and Mrs.
Pearce in My Fair Lady)
shoshana101@yahoo.com
Hi, This is Bruce Feist, from the Clarkstown South class of
1975. I was Frank the bartender in Brigadoon and a singer/dancer in Annie Get
Your Gun. These days I live in Northern Virginia; I'm married and have a
daughter who was born in 1999. I had a blast doing the two productions I
was in, although my roles were small. I admired the talent of many of the
students I worked with -- the main dancer in Brigadoon was fantastic;
unfortunately, I've forgotten her name over the years. While in high school, I
wasn't all that comfortable around other people; I got around that by hiding
behind a camera. That's why I have so many photos . One miscellaneous memory:
In Brigadoon, someone brought a goat in one night. Apparently they didn't
realize that goats, like most animals, have a tend to make a mess indoors..
this one certainly did. I remember people following it around, cleaning up
after it. It did not return. After graduating, I went on to Cornell, where I
majored in math and physics. For a while I lived in a residential college at
Cornell called "Risley Hall" -- it was dedicated to the fine and performing
arts, and there's an application process to live there. I recommend it for any
CSTF alums who go on to Cornell.
Sincerely, Bruce Feist
bfeist@flock.org
Hey CSTF Folks!
Although I only had one summer with CSTF (2001 - Crazy For You) I always
treasure that time as the best summer I've ever had, not to mention the most fun
I've ever had in any show. I'm having a wonderful time here at the Hartt
school, majoring in Musical Theatre, where I'm doing cool things like running
crew for "The Living" and hair and makeup for "Macbeth". (As a
freshman, you're not allowed to audition, but you're required to work backstage,
so you're still involved). I miss all my best friends, most of whom I did
CSTF with, and I cant wait to return home and see their various shows. I
hope everyone is having a safe and happy year, and I love what you've done with
the website!
Sincerely,
Kristen Ostrowe
Dear CSTF,
I was searching the web for something totally unrelated to CSTF and your web
page came up on my browser. I just had to write you. The summers I spent
with CSTF (Music Man through Fiddler on the Roof) are probably some of the best
memories I have from my high school days. I met so many wonderful friends,
kept very busy during the summer, and had the opportunity to learn theatre from
some talented directors. I don't think there is anyplace else in the
country that has such a fabulous program as CSTF. My parents have shown my 4
year old some of his mommy's shows and he really enjoyed them. (He didn't
believe that Yenta the Matchmaker was his mother because Yenta looked to old to
be mommy).I hope CSTF is still going strong and wish that the program endures
many seasons to come. Warmest Regards to all: Barbara L. Noble-Sobel,
BA, DC (1982-1986)
Sobelb@bellsouth.net
Just
saw the CSTF alumni page. Really great to read up on some old friends, and
be reminded of how important & powerful the CSTF experience has been for so many
of us. I first joined CSTF in 1975, working on stage crew. Somehow that
summer I got suckered into being the audio engineer for "Kiss Me Kate" (possibly
because I had some vague awareness of the difference between an amplifier and a
speaker). This was apparently a prophetic experience: I have been a
professional audio engineer for most of the past 27 years, working in recording
studios, concert halls, and corporate venues. It boggles the mind to think that
in addition to profoundly shaping my social skills, CSTF pointed me directly
towards the career path I've enjoyed ever since! Oh, and when I'm not working as
an audio engineer, I'm still performing & recording on bass & guitar...just as I
did for "When You're One" ('76), "Three Penny Opera" ('77), and "Of Thee I Sing"
('78). Of my acting foray in "Madwoman Of Chaillot" ('78)... perhaps the less
said the better!
Bob Ross
b.ross@verizon.net
Hello CSTF!
Well, it's been only a few weeks since I've left summer theatre and turned into
a freshman here at Harvard but I already miss the experience. While I am loving
every minute of my experience here, and doing as much as humanly possible to
keep my life in order, I don't think I will ever forget the friends I made as a
result of this program... already every day I speak to at least a few of my CSTF
pals, and for that I am thankful. I truly am thankful for the wonderful
friendships I took away from the program.
I'm actually anxiously awaiting some upcoming auditions... I'm going to be
auditioning for a cappella groups within the next two weeks, as well as for the
Freshman Theatre Program, and the Harvard Hillel production of How To Succeed In
Business Without Really Trying. I'll keep you posted on how those auditions go,
but I'm more than sure that I'll get into something! :) Especially since one of
the songs I am going to sing for an audition is the unforgettable Museum Song
that we all came to love during the summer of Barnum (ride a dromedary
indeed...)
Anyhow I wish the program much luck in the future. I know that I will forever be
embraced as a part of the CSTF Family (at least I better be... heh) Talk to you
soon!
Always,
Dan Spitzer
Hello all!
As an CSTF alum ('82-'86) and proud co-founder of the stage crew mutants (stage
right, unite!), I am happy to see that CSTF is still running smoothly. I have
continued to stay involved in theater from Elmwood to New York City off-Broadway
productions (the obie-winning "Raised in Captivity" for one) and currently work
for Clear Channel Entertainment, the largest producer and promoter of live
entertainment...including the Broadway smash, "The Producers."
Best of luck to all STFers past, present and future!
Peter Weingard
Director of Marketing
Clear Channel Interactive / SFX.com
Jonathan Feist (backstage and in the pit, 1982 to 1986) has
mercifully given up the trombone and now edits books about music for Berklee
Press. He has a couple degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, and
resides happily in Massachusetts with his wife and their beagle.
Hi CSTF!
What a kick remembering back to 1977(?) Three Penny Opera” (was it ’77?) my
first CSTF role as one of Mack the Knife’s henchmen. Chino in West Side Story.
Probably the last alum I ran into was Adam Grupper. I saw him in The Wild Party
(and Guys & Dolls). My personal update is that I am the proud father of two
girls, Alessandra (10) and Caroline (6), and live in Hastings-on-Hudson, with my
wife Annette Fisch, the kids and an 8-month old Welsh Springer Spaniel (Desi). I
have been practicing law for 15 years and I am a partner in the firm of Kissel &
Pesce LLP. My practice involves representing overseas financial institutions and
insurance companies, like Lloyds of London.
I enjoyed all aspects of the Web Site. I probably have other pics I could scan
and send you. Quite a group at one point, Peter Roos, Adam Grupper, Phil
Rosenthal, etc. Some of us CSTF alumn formed our own theatre group for summers
during college. We did Neil Simon and original works, by Vic Levin (a Clarkston
North alum who, among other things, produced "Mad about you."
Would love to hear from other alums! My E-mail address is:
JHirsch@KPLaw.net. Regards,
Jeff Hirsch
Having spent some of the better years of my life involved in
CSTF as a student, board member and professional staff between 1978 and 1986,
it's great to see that the program is still going strong and that there are
still some familiar names involved. I'd love to hear from any of my old friends
from the Golden Years of CSTF. Please E-mail me at:
mhession@exchange.ml.com. - Mike Hession
Dear CSTF,
I was online procrastinating like any other college student who should be
studying for finals, and I came across your website in my favorite places.
School is going really well and I know I made the right decision choosing this
school. It's a change from home but I really like it. I wanted to thank you for,
not just for the scholarship which definitely say you don't truly appreciate
things in life till they're gone. Throughout the summer and especially during
the performances of Barnum I massively regretted my decision to not take part in
it. I have kept busy here auditioning for shows but it's a much more competitive
feeling. I miss the let's just do shows because we enjoy acting feeling. I miss
being in shows even just being in the chorus. CSTF will always be a part of my
life and I wanted to congratulate you for producing such an amazing show this
past summer. Good Luck with everything! I miss you all and everything about CSTF
(even the board meetings). Please keep in touch. You can email me at
Sue0824@aol.com.
Love Always,
Sue Schwartzberg
Dear CSTF,
After graduating from CSTF in '92 and spending 6 years in college, I got a job
(just what I like and have been educated to do) and moved out here to southern
Minnesota. I live in a nice sized town called Owatonna, about 60 miles south of
the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and have since found that this is
arguably the theatre capital of the mid-west.
The theatre has taken over a rather large portion of my spare time and
concentration. Since moving to Minnesota just over a year and a half ago, I've
been in seven productions, and am currently rehearsing for the eighth. I joined
the local community theatre group (called the Little theatre of Owatonna) barely
a month after moving out here by getting involved in the production of Our Town
already two to three weeks into rehearsals. Soon after, I auditioned and got the
part of Arnold Epstein in "Biloxi Blues." Next, a production of Gilbert and
Sullivan's "Pirates of Pensance." Later that summer I got the part of Lloyd
Dallas, the director in "Noises Off" and then Lord Goring in "An Ideal Husband"
(still haven't seen the movie). All this work with LTO must have earned me some
respect with the theatre community out here, because only three days after Ideal
Husband closed I got a call from a local director asking me to take over a part
for one of her actors who had to drop out of the show they were doing. And less
than four weeks later I was playing a catholic priest in the third of the "Nunsense"
series. Soon after that I got the wonderful chance to play Nick Bottom, the
Weaver in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to wonderful reviews. Quite
possibly the most fun I've ever had on stage and at the theatre.
Those are the seven productions that I've already finished. No sooner did we
strike the set for Midsummer than I auditioned for the next one. Nearly a week
of auditions for "West Side Story" (in which you should know I played Action in
high school) and at the end of it all the cast list was posted. I've heard this
role called "the most difficult role in musical theatre to portray," and after 4
weeks of rehearsals, I think I believe it. Come the end of this month, I will be
dancing, acting and singing my way through the part of TONY. (I honestly still
don't believe it.) I'm quite sure after this is done I'll be taking a bit of a
break from the theatre for a while (well, at least for the summer). Meeting lots
of great people out here, particularly through the theatre. If anyone's ever out
this way perhaps visiting the Mall of America or going to one of the wonderful
theatres in the Twin cities (the Gutherie for example) you should let me know.
In case anyone is going to be out this way, the production dates for LTO's
production of West Side Story are April 27, 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, and 7. Hope
all is well in Rockland.
-Keith Firstenberg
Hey CSTF,
I was just looking around the net and came across the summer theatre web-page,
and I just happen to also be a CSTF alumni. I was fortunate enough to work on
the production of 42nd St, and I just wanted to write you a quick e-mail to
thank CSTF for teaching me how to tap dance and give me the chance to prove to
myself that I can move really well.
Since then I've Choreographed and Starred in the off-Broadway production of LYZ!
(a new musical based on Lysistrata), National Tours of The Who's Tommy (Uncle
Ernie) and How To Succeed...(Davis), and performed all over he US in such
productions as RENT, Songs For A New World, The Music Man, Grease (revival), The
WIz and Once On This Island to name a few. I'm currently at work writing a new
musical revue call Heart and Music, and will soon be traveling to VA to do an
upcoming production of Peter Pan.
Again I want to thank everyone involved in CSTF for helping me to get the
courage to follow my dream.
Take care,
Paul Aguirre
@:o)
PS: If anyone knows or has a contact sheet from 42nd St I'd love to try to get
in touch with people and catch up...I can be e-mailed at:
nyblueiii@aol.com
Hi CSTF! I don't know how many of you remember me, but I was in Babes in Arms,
Oklahoma, and Guys and Dolls. I've never seen this home page until today and I
figured I would drop a line and say hello, and give you my e mail address so I
can get in touch with everyone!
I am graduating the Hartt School in May with a BFA in Music Theater. Into the
wonderful world of the unknown, insecurity, and no stability. But I'm looking
forward to it (I guess in a wierd and twisted way)... Since I left Rockland, I
have been involved in many theatrical events... God, I feel like I am writing a
bio. :) At school, I played Cheever in The Crucible, Pippin in Pippin, Seymour
in Little Shop of Horrors, Epstein in Biloxi Blues, Steward in Into The Woods,
Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (funny, huh?), Philip in Orphans, and I just
completed the world premiere of a new musical called The Battleship Potemkin
which we are performing in January at the York Theater Company in NYC. More info
to come about that. Out of school, I worked one summer at a dinner theater in
Bar Harbor, Maine, and last summer I had the privelege to work at the Monomoy
Theater in Cape Cod where i worked with loads of equity actors and professional
directors on six productions (which was probably the biggest learning experience
I have had to date). There I played Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Steve in A
Streetcar Named Desire, Thomas Diaforus in The Imaginary Invalid, Peter in Light
Up The Sky, Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing, and Elvis in Picasso at the
Lapin Agile.
Now that I have bored you with all of my uninteresting theatrical credits, I
just want you all to know that I think this home page rocks, and that I still
think about CSTF all the time! Actually, Susan Saladino (who played opposite me
twice in CSTF) now goes to school with me at the Hartt School. It's funny how
things come full circle. Please feel free to get in touch with me via e mail at
Toolmire@aol.com. I'd love to hear how you all are doing!
Love,
Greg Mire
Hi CSTF-
Just wanted to congratulate everyone on the opening of Oliver! I wish I could be
there to see it. I am in California right now working at a theater out here.
Having a great time! I graduated in May, my contract here ends September 13, so
I will be moving back to NY after this job to try to get more work! Again, good
luck with the show, and I am sure it will be fabulous!
Love
Greg Mire ;)
Hello, CSTF!
It's me, Suzie Pisaniello, writing to say hi! I
just wanted to give you an update on what I've been doing at Susquehanna
University. I am currently a Junior, and though I am still debating on whether
or not to declare a theatre major, I have been very involved. Just a few weeks
ago, I performed in "Every'man'", a mask and morality play from the Renaissance
period. It was a very interesting experience involving great physical activity
and a lot of artistic design. Each student made and decorated their own mask to
wear for the play, which depicted their character as they envisioned it. It was
a wonderful experience. Right now, I am involved in yet another show, The King
and I, November 6, 7 & 8. I'm playing in the pit, as I did 6 years ago for
Nanuet's production. And next semester, I will be doing costume design for the
musical "Children of Eden," which is based on the Biblical stories of Adam &
Eve, and Noah's Ark. That's just about it, and I would also like to invite you
all to visit my University Theatre's web page, which includes my bio of
EVERYTHING I've ever done... Check out S.U. Theatre!
http://www.susqu.edu/theater .
Signing off from S.U.,
Suzie Pisaniello
We received an E-mail from Jeremy Moskowitz, who is an alumni from 1989. (Li'l
Abner). Jeremy has his own web site. You can visit him at:
http://vader.boutell.com/~jeremym
Heya.. I'm a Clarkstown Summer Theater Alum, myself! I wanted to write you, in
case you come up with a directory of cast members vs. email addresses!
I was Earthquake McGoon in L'il Abner in 1989. I've since gotten my vocal minor
from the University of Delaware, and perform regularly with Tempe Little
Theater, Phoenix Theater, and Arizona Opera.
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