January 19, 2006

The PAC is back!

Long anticipated, Pioneer High School’s performing arts
center set to open this weekend

Arson fire destroyed old PAC in 2003

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players”—from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.”

The new stage and set for the production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” is ready for the grand opening.

For Pioneer High School this passage is especially poignant. Drama teacher Steve Dini and his students have taken all of Pioneer’s shows on the road for the past three years during the rebuilding of the school’s performing arts center after arsonists destroyed the original structure in November of 2003.

“It’s a fabulous dream come true,” said Dini as he surveyed the newly completed 500-seat theater. “We were a road show for so many years, borrowing classrooms to rehearse and traveling to theaters for the actual shows. Now we can work with no interruptions. And it was a real team effort. Now everything old is new again.”

Arsonists destroy the old PAC
Two students, a juvenile and 18-year-old Pioneer student Marco Horta Flores, confessed to setting the five-alarm fire on Nov. 30, 2003. According to court records the fire was started on a dare while the suspects were drinking with friends outside the old PAC and quickly spread out of control.

Although the fire was devastating to the psyche of those involved with the drama department the community outpouring of support quickly buoyed everyone’s spirits, including the longtime drama teacher.
“Sometimes when you get knocked down you see what your character is like,” said Dini immediately after the fire.

“We’re going to take this as a challenge and come back stronger than ever.”

And, did they ever!

Grand opening this Saturday
A grand opening is scheduled for Jan. 21 to celebrate the new performing arts center—and the entire community is invited. Besides tours of the theater, videos from past performances of Pioneer students and Dini’s “The Glue Factory,” in addition to prizes and food, students past and present will also be performing.

Headlining the PAC’s opening will be 1998 Pioneer alumni Alan Chang who is the resident pianist for popular crooner Michael Buble. Chang is flying in from Canada where he now resides. In 2005, Buble’s CD sold four million copies and U.S. Billboard ranked it as the best selling jazz recording of the year.

Drama teacher Steve Dini directs his students in a scene from “Arsenic and Old Lace.” From the left are Emily Kuykendell, Jared Silva, Ashley Freitas and Dini.

Also, the Pioneer Chamber Choir, Mustang Chorale and jazz band will perform. The advanced drama class will present a rousing rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” And promising to be an unforgettable experience, choir instructor Jeremy Harris will perform a rap, “Ode to the PAC.”

“It’s really amazing and astounding,” said Harris regarding the new performing arts center. “We planned to do a remodel before the fire. We used that money and the insurance and now we have this wonderful theater.”

As of this date, the insurance money has not been finalized but the cost is estimated at $3.8 million, reports San Jose Unified School District director of construction Ty Williams. Pioneer's old performing arts center was scheduled for remodeling out of $3 million of Measure F funds which was transferred to the new construction costs.

“We are pretty close to being under budget for the multi-purpose building,” said Williams. “With being able to replace the entire structure we were able to create an approximately 6,500 square foot space for the building.”

The new performing arts center is twice the size with additional side stages, new storerooms and bathrooms. The ceiling is especially striking with arched glued laminated beams. Also, the outside creates a unique modern impression from Blossom Hill Road. The multi-purpose building will be used as a theater, stage and cafeteria.

And Pioneer’s teachers are anxiously awaiting the grand opening after the inconvenience of traveling to other venues for rehearsals and performances. Besides the gala grand opening, band instructor Ken Roberts has scheduled the Big Band Dance for February 11. Harris is also looking forward to a Valentine’s Day Concert in the new building. And Dini has “Arsenic and Old Lace” scheduled for the end of the month.

But it’s not just the instructors who are thrilled with their new performing arts center. Students on the set installing portable lights and sound systems were equally enthusiastic.

“All the world’s a stage” for these young actors. From the left are David Danning, Emily Kuykendell, Ashley Freitas, Erin Lee and Jared Silva.

“I thought the fire was an accident,” remembers senior Ashley Freitas. “I didn’t think it would be a student. It was really hard on Mr. Dini. His entire demeanor changed. He was very stressed out. And the first play we did after the fire our costumes smelled of smoke. But Mr. Dini and the community really made this happen.”

Freitas was joined by Emily Kuykendell, David Danning, Erin Lee, Jared Silva and David Danning on the new set. The group is not only excited about the new performing arts center, but also the upcoming performance of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” The set for the play was purchased from Leland High School and Pioneer parents and students moved it to the new theater.

“Through all of this we learned that the show must go on,” said Danning who wants to be a professional actor.

“And we learned how to imagine acting wherever we performed,” said Silva. “We would act in classrooms and imagine being on stage and where everything would be. It’s an awesome opportunity to do the first play that will be on the new stage.”

And so these players are ready for their parts—and they are extremely excited to celebrate the grand opening of Pioneer’s new performing arts center.

See for yourself: The public is invited to attend the free grand opening of Pioneer’s performing arts center on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. for tours, prizes, food and entertainment.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” will be performed by Pioneer students on Jan. 26- 28. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Call (408) 927-0637 for advanced purchase. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.