RFKT Q&A with Kathy Falcone of Downstage Video

So, I have a confession to make. As the Random Farms photographer, I frequently find myself with tears in my eyes as I photograph the kids in the theater. Sometimes it's the combination of the children's earnest voices singing a particularly touching song, but sometimes I get choked up just because the results of the kids' hard work are just so remarkable.

I know it might sound sappy, but here's the thing. I'm not alone in this. During performances, I sit in the center of the second to last row, all the way in the back of the Music Hall. I sit right in front of John and Kathy, the husband and wife team from Downstage Video who record all the shows.

During Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I could hear Kathy sniffling behind me as she wept during "Any Dream Will Do," the final number of the show. Not only that, she wept at every single performance! We sat down to have this conversation after Cast A's show.

How did you become a member of the Random Farms Kids' Theater team?

We first became involved with Random Farms in 2001, when my daughter Beth used to do the shows. Her agent told us about it. This was back when everything was run out of Anya's parents' basement. Beth is 17 now.

You were just saying that you see a lot of theater given all the various companies that Downstage Video works with. What makes Random Farms so different for you?

Because when the curtain opens, it's magical. Anya has the best scenery, the best costumes, the best talent, and it's just a magical experience. You just get a little overwhelmed, especially having had a child grow up in this theater.

You were saying that you cry at every single show.

Yes, every single show brings me to tears. Every single one gets me teary.

Tell me why it moves you.

The kids are up there. They look fantastic. They're singing their hearts out; it's magical. They're cheering for each other. You don't see that at every theater, but you see it at Random Farms.

I love that about Random Farms! I love how ALL the adults here- not just the directors but everyone involved- they're all rooting for the kids behind the camera, the sound board, the spotlights, whatever. We all want the kids to succeed. 

Me, too. I know John and I do.

Thanks, Kathy!

Thanks for Giving! (and Happy Thanksgiving!)

When I was walking out of the Tarrytown Music Hall after Cast E's performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat the other day, I snapped this picture with our coat donation bin full to the brim! Thank you so much for your generosity!

Our acting coach and director Julie Schwartz is organizing Random Farms' winter coat drive to contribute to New York Cares' Annual Coat Drive.  In a normal year, 90% of homeless adults need a new, warm coat each winter because they have no place to keep one over the summer months. But this year, it's not just homeless people who need our help; thousands of New Yorkers have been displaced and left out in the cold or in shelters as a result of the storm, creating unprecedented demand for warm coats.

Coats of all sizes are needed, including baby, child, and adult.  Although the bin pictured above was at the musical hall (and will be there again on 11/26 for the final performance of "Joseph"), we have a bin set up on the counter at the RFKT studio for donations during rehearsal hours, showcase auditions and Headshot Day. It will also be at Yorktown Stage during Jellybeans performances of "Hansel and Gretel." 

If you are not currently involved in a production, you can also e-mail julie@randomfarms.com to find out when the studio will be open to accept your donation.  We will be collecting coats through Thursday, December 20th. If you spot a great deal at a Back Friday sale or unearth last year's outgrown coats among the holiday decorations, please bring them in.

If you'd like more information on the New York Cares Coat Drive, please visit the New York Cares website at http://newyorkcares.org/volunteer/holiday_volunteering/coat_drive/index.php.

Thank you to all who have already donated! We appreciate your support all throughout the year, and we're so grateful you're a part of the Random Farms Kids Theater family. Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Happy birthday, Bridget!

Recently, we were happy to host a 10th birthday party for Bridget, one of our summer workshop intensive campers who spent a week with us in July doing High School Musical and a week in August doing Beauty and the Beast. 

Having a celebration at Random Farms is a unique birthday party experience. We offer three different packages, depending the birthday boy or girl's age. Since Bridget was turning 10, she and her eleven of her friends got to spend two hours in our Elmsford studio with director Alexis Grausz and assistant director Alice Smyth.

The girls had party food, and of course, we all sang "Happy Birthday" before Bridget blew out her candles. However, she also got to star as Dorothy in a musical number from the Wizard of Oz with all her friends.

In less than an hour, the girls learned lines, choreography and music (even solos!) which they performed in costume for their parents and siblings at the end of the party. "My favorite part was doing the performance at the end," Bridget said. "Since I already did "High School Musical" and "Beauty and the Beast," I wanted to do something different, so I picked "The Wizard of Oz.'"

Bridget played Dorothy for the musical number, "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead." The birthday girl (or boy) gets to be in full costume, and Bridget rocked it down to her sparkly pink Converse sneakers for her own take on the ruby slippers. "I was glad to be the lead role, because in the other plays, I was part of a group," she said.

"I love the staff here," her mother Kerry said. "Having the party here was convenient, but I also knew it would be a high quality birthday party. Everyone had a good time. I tell everyone about the programs at Random Farms. Bridget knew no one when she first came here, and she just felt so good about herself." 

And that makes us feel good! We look forward to having Bridget on stage with us again in March for the Workshop production of "Tom Sawyer."  

Check out a short highlights video from Bridget's party below. 

If you want to inquire about having your child's birthday party at Random Farms, email Natalie Gray at natalie@randomfarms.com for more information. Learn more (including which themes you can choose from) by clicking here, and be sure to check out how you can get home-made cookies and cupcakes made to match your party theme from Random Farms mom Lee Ann Mistretta by clicking here.

Reminder: Kids Who Care Holiday Troupe Auditions

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially with the snow we had yesterday! This means we're holding auditions for the Kids Who Care Holiday troupe tomorrow. (This was rescheduled as a result of the big storm, so don't forget about our new date and time: November 10th from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Elmsford studio.)

We'll be taking a show on the road to nursing homes, hospitals and community centers within an hour of Central Westchester in December. Auditions are open to 2nd-8th graders who want to make a difference in their communities. See you there!

RFKT Staff Q&A with Alexis Grausz

Here on our blog we'll be posting special Q&A's with the adults behind the scenes who strive to make our students' experience at Random Farms rewarding, educational and fun! First up, director Alexis Grausz.

Q: Tell me how long you've been with Random Farms.

I started five years ago. I went to NYU for college, and when I graduated I was an actor for about five years. I started working at Random Farms as a supplement so I didn't have to waitress quite as much. Then I started loving it and realizing that I actually love teaching a lot more than I love acting, so I ended up doing this full-time. Now I spend my life here.

Q: I know you always say in the pre-show speech that your favorite thing is how supportive everything is, but tell me in your own words what you like best about doing the programs at Random Farms.

I think it depends on which program. For the workshop program, I think my favorite part is watching a child who barely wants to speak up on day one stand on a stage and sing a solo by herself or himself on day 10 or whatever, and just see the progress that some of these kids make. For the Edge program, I really like being able to be creative and create choreography and ensembles and have a really talented group of teenagers to work with.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about Legally Blonde?

Getting through it! I am thrilled about the music, because they sound amazing. Charlotte is making them sound amazing. The choreography is starting to look really good. It's a big show, so I'm feeling months of exhaustion coming on, but I think it's going to be worth it because we have some really talented kids. They're going to be pretty fabulous.

Q: Tell me about a role or experience you really liked doing in your own past as a performer.

I think one of the favorite shows I ever did was a musical called "Sarah, Plain and Tall" based on the book. Actually Larry O'Keefe who wrote Legally Blonde wrote the music. I was on tour with it for about six months. It was like a beautiful fairy tale story, and I was performing for kids. It was a pretty incredible experience.

What's one thing you would want someone whose considering signing their child up for a Random Farm program but hasn't made the leap yet to know?

I have yet to meet a kid who doesn't benefit from this program. It doesn't matter what level you're at or how much experience you have. I feel like we have something for children at each level and each age group. Whether it's just learning to speak up or, you know, a pathway to Broadway, at every level we have something great to offer, and I see kids grow every time they leave here.

Stay safe, everyone!

Just wanted to reach out to our Random Farms family and hoping your lives are returning to normal in the aftermath of the storm. Our Elmsford studio has power, and we're looking forward to hosting a birthday party and a full lineup of activities there tomorrow. Take care, everyone, and please stay safe.