Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
auditorium with Orange High School. She said that a lot has changed and taking students <br /> from one building to another is not a simple task, especially when school safety is a top <br /> priority. She said that this auditorium could also be used for the community theater in the <br /> summers. <br /> Jamie Gorski is the Co-Artistic Director of the Theater program at C. W. Stanford <br /> Middle School. He spoke in support of the new auditorium at Stanford. He said that there has <br /> not been a theater program at Stanford for more than ten years and he and Jessica Crowley <br /> have brought it back. Since the program's inception, they have managed to produce five full- <br /> scale theatrical productions at Stanford with students ranging from 10-30 in number. The <br /> program is available to all grade levels. He said that this program has been done in the school <br /> cafeteria. They started out with no money last year, but with generous donations from the <br /> PTSA and others, they managed to end the year with $1,000 earned. This money enabled <br /> them to apply for and be awarded the Arts and Education Grant from the Orange County Arts <br /> Commission. He said that it is time for C. W. Stanford to have a home of its own for all fine <br /> arts programs. <br /> Jessica Crowley is the Visual Arts teacher at Stanford and Co-Director of the Theater <br /> program. She said that her students have worked hard in this theater program and the space <br /> is not adequate at the present time. The department shares space with the athletic programs, <br /> which was traditionally practice space. The stage space is not large enough to hold big casts <br /> of students and there is no backstage space. The electrical system is also not sufficient for <br /> even basic lighting. She gave other examples of the limitations of this space. She asked for <br /> an auditorium at Stanford. <br /> Sankwon Reams is a student at Stanford and he started participating in the theater <br /> program last year. He said that being in theater is the best part of his day. He said that this <br /> program is one that makes him feel accepted. He said that the space they have to perform in <br /> now is too small. <br /> Doug Vassello is a parent of a child at Stanford. He spoke in support of the addition of <br /> an auditorium. He said that Orange County schools are seen as agricultural schools, but they <br /> are not that way these days. He said that the kids get a taste of theater and they love it. He <br /> said that, as a parent, it is a hassle to set up or break down the lunchroom before and after <br /> plays. <br /> Nicky Vassello is a student at Stanford and he asked for an auditorium. He is in the <br /> band, the theater program, and the chorus program. He said that at the most recent concert, <br /> there were so many people that there were not enough chairs. Also, the parents cannot see <br /> their children sing when there is a chorus concert. <br /> Robert Piscitelli is a student at Stanford. He asked the County Commissioners to <br /> support the auditorium at the school. He is an actor in the theater program. He said that with <br /> such a small stage, it is difficult to have decent sets. <br /> Debbie Piscitelli is an OCS board member and a parent of two boys at Stanford. She <br /> said that she is aware of the budget issues with the County, but she still thinks it is important to <br /> advocate for an auditorium for this school. She said that, as a board member, she has found it <br /> difficult to address the projects that fall into the $2-8 million range. She said that she would <br /> like to think that if the Board of County Commissioners supports an arts wing at high school <br /> that it would also support an auditorium at a middle school. She said that Stanford has <br /> outgrown using the cafeteria as an auditorium. The theater program attracts more than 50 <br /> students for its programs, and each of these programs put on several performances <br /> throughout the year. She said that in athletics there is a "home court advantage" and she does <br /> not think it is unreasonable to advocate for this home court advantage for the cultural arts <br /> program. It is unreasonable to expect theater students to practice on their stage in the <br /> cafeteria for weeks and weeks and then be expected to perform at Orange High School. She <br />