FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS FLOW FOLLIES? 

FLOW Follies is a non-profit organization which has operated as a committee under the parent organizations of the Ramapo-Indian Hills high school district for 25 years.  The main goal of FLOW Follies is to raise scholarship funds for graduating seniors through the presentation of an annual musical comedy. 

The success of FLOW Follies is made possible by the dedication of a multitude of parent volunteers from the FLOW communities of Franklin Lakes, Oakland or Wyckoff. These parents generously contribute their time and talents to the writing, creation, production and performance of the musical show. The proceeds from this event provide scholarships for students in the Ramapo-Indian Hills community. 

WHY WAS FLOW FOLLIES STARTED? 

FLOW Follies, now in its 25^th year was established to provide scholarships for the Ramapo-Indian Hills community. We continue to be the single largest scholarship fund raiser for the two high schools. 
 

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES FLOW FOLLIES RAISE? 

Over the last 24 seasons, FLOW Follies has donated over $400,500 to students from the two high schools. Last year alone, FLOW Follies made the largest donation of fifty two (54) $750 scholarships split equally to both schools, totaling $40,500. 
 

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A SCHOLARSHIP? 

The main requirement is that the family of the graduating senior join ”Friends of FLOW Follies” with a minimal membership contribution. Please see the Scholarship section at WWW.FLOWFOLLIES.ORG for a membership form.  A list of eligible graduates in the Ramapo-Indian Hills high schools (i.e. members of Friends of FLOW Follies) is then submitted to the Guidance Department of each school. Each administration selects the final recipients for any distributed scholarship funds based on their own individual criteria. 

WHO DECIDES SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS? 

Scholarship decisions are made solely by the Administration within each school.  
 

IF I JOIN FLOW FOLLIES, WILL MY CHILD RECEIVE A SCHOLARSHIP? 

The quantity of scholarships is determined by the amount of funds raised and the number of eligible seniors. There are no guarantees that your child will receive a scholarship just because you join Friends of FLOW Follies. 
 

HOW MANY PEOPLE GENERALLY PERFORM ON STAGE OR WORK BEHIND THE SCENES? 

Throughout the years our numbers have varied. We always need support on stage, back stage and behind the scenes helping with costumes, painting, set design and construction, props, and most importantly, fundraising. You do not need to be on stage to volunteer for FLOW Follies and have fun!  Generally speaking there have been about 50 performers on stage and 10-15 people back stage and behind the scenes. 
 

WHAT IF I’M A GOOD DANCER BUT I CAN’T SING OR VICE VERSA? 

FLOW FOLLIES WANTS YOU! There is a place for everyone and plenty of fun to go around. There are numerous opportunities to just sing or just dance. 
 

CAN I WORK ON STAGE AND BEHIND THE SCENES? 

Yes! Just about everyone does more than one thing if they choose. There are costumes to be sewn, scenery to be built, music to be mixed, an ad journal to print, photos to be taken - all requiring collaborating with new people and having a lot of fun. You name it, you can do it.  We also encourage anyone who specializes in fundraising to join us behind the scenes to help us boost scholarship funds. 

HOW MUCH TIME WILL BE REQUIRED OF ME? 

Rehearsal times vary depending on your level of participation. We begin in January for a few nights a week depending on dance, song and acting numbers so the more you are involved, the more you will participate in rehearsals. 

You decide your own level of commitment by what you sign up for. The more on- stage involvement, the more you will find yourself in rehearsals. The activity picks up in late February usually after Spring Break with full cast numbers as we prepare for the show in March. The two weeks prior to the show will require all cast members to be at all rehearsals which usually run every night but Fridays.

Behind the scenes work such as set design, construction and painting occurs during the evening hours Monday through Friday and the crew usually agrees on the schedule that best works for the majority of its members. Set construction should be completed before Spring Break so that the cast is prepared to run the show upon return from the week off. 

Backstage help is usually required at a higher level of commitment as the cast runs through full numbers and to fully participate during the two weeks prior to the show. 
 

WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE THE STAGE OR DON’T HAVE A LOT OF TIME, IS THERE STILL SOMETHING I COULD DO? 

Prior to the show, we need help with fund raising activities, publicity, or mailings.  On performance evenings, you can sell tickets or snacks or help with the silent auction.  Or, you can simply just make a donation.  

But most importantly – GO TO THE SHOW AND CHEER ON THE CAST AND CREW!!!