My Nonprofit Reviews

What follows is a letter I wrote to Elaine P. Bernstein and Sol Schwartz after my children participated in Riotous Youth last summer:

Dear Sol and Elayne,

By now you must wonder what became of these two wandering minstrels!

Well, they have been on quite an adventure since they left the glow of yours and their Grandma's company in Lenox. They have been to Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard, and Provincetown. They have been
on a whale watch, and almost went water skiing. (They got dragged by a motor boat on a round rubber tube).

They came close to getting blown away by a hurricane, and now finally, they are on the end of Long Island for a few last sunny days with Dad (and mom) before school starts again.

But more important than where they were, it's what they did while there. Specifically, in Laurel Hollow, Long Island, they performed their monologues (along with their cousins, Josh and Kai) for a small audience on grass theater at a friend's beautiful home where they were videotaped. (Video tape to follow some day, I hope). They astounded three small children who had no idea what hit them. I think that's a big part of the fun. Kids who aren't exposed know not what to think. But it tells them: Hmm. Maybe there is something else out there!

All over Cape Cod they cursed at one another in Elizabethan style--usually beginning each sentence name with "Thou art...."
Thou was usually a boil.

During our escape from Hurricane Earl, Henry performed his monologue at my brother's home in Foxboro, Mass. during a big Chinese Food feast. This inspired my nice, Olivia Rose, age 11, to perform her scene from a play of Alice in Wonderland in which she was the Red Queen. Needless to say, my brother and his wife were astounded! They didn't know children could perform Shakespeare, and I don't even think they knew their daughter had starred in a play at sleep-away camp! They loved it!

I don't think the boys will ever forget their experience and Shakespeare and Company. Nor will they ever forget the fabulous, feisty, adoring couple who led them along--making them feel like they had come by special invitation. One time I saw Elayne reminding Henry to speak up and speak more slowly, and I thought how nice it would be if she could come home with us and appear each night at homework time: the perfect combination of encouragement and affection.

Gus's eyes lit up when we found out that his school is offering an after-school Shakespeare class, but was disappointed to find out
it's for kids in the two grades below him. But I know he will wow his teacher this year--especially if he is asked to write an essay
about how he spent his summer vacation. Can you imagine? And what a head start as he head for middle school. (Elayne--did you read The Wednesday Wars??)

Thanks most of all for being there for my mother-in-law. She made such a big commitment to the boys and to herself, and I am
absolutely positive that without your support--in so many ways--the two weeks would have been even more of a challenge
than they already were. Can you imagine taking on something like this? I'll bet you can. I think of the two of you, my mother-in-law, and the four boys as a small troop of intrepid actors--emerging from a little painted carnival wagon (they have one like this in The Wind in the Willows) in full costume--each with a different role--smiling at the audience, juggling, throwing out candies, and making everyone smile. Then performing a show. I think Josh would love this image more than anyone!

I hope you know how much we loved visiting both times we had the opportunity. First we had the perfect tour led by Sol, including ice cream for everyone, and a backstage look at Elayne's gorgeous theater, classrooms, props room, and costume studio!
I wanted to stay and take classes, myself. Truly.

And then the second time for the show--my parents were so impressed, my mom told me it was the highlight of her life. How about that?

Sol, Elayne: It truly is a remarkable program, and the two of you and my mother-in-law made it more than that--you made it feel like a home away from home. I think Henry would move there in a moment. He told me: "This is the greatest place ever, mom." Gus is the more dubious of the two, and even he said: "That camp is great."

I hope we will see you again. Maybe for dinner in the city? We would love to have you to brunch or dinner at our place on the Upper West Side. Or even better, wouldn't it be nice to see you back at camp next year? We may show up with our own troop if I keep telling everyone about it.

At any rate, I write this with appreciation for you both and for the great people who run the camp. It couldn't have been more exciting for my boys. A big, big thank you and a big, big hug.

Affectionately,

Jill Davis (mom of Gus and Henry)

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