November 28, 2003


Castillero’s own brand of “Pizzazz” wows Center for the Performing Arts crowd
SJUSD’s Performing Arts magnet school production celebrates 15th season

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

Backstage at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts, the excitement has an almost palatable hum. Performers, composed and confident, ready themselves in the wings as the seasoned stage crew prepares for the show’s opening number. Props are organized with precision, assistants stand poised, and the orchestra awaits its first cue.

At first glance, this might be opening night for a professional theater company, but upon closer inspection comes the realization that these are the faces of Middle school students and their dedicated community of parents and staff. Welcome to the Castelliro Middle School 15th Annual musical variety production –“Pizzazz” – and prepare to be amazed.

What started out as the brain child of Castillero Middle School faculty Shirley Garner, with two Choral groups and a shoe-string budget, has over the past 15 years, grown into a Broadway-style musical production involving some 450 students – roughly a third of the school’s population – hundreds of volunteer hours and months of dedication from staff members.

“I only had two choirs at the time,” said Garner. “Today there are five; Jazz Advanced Band, Advanced orchestra, 6th grade choir and the dance teams. We couldn’t do this without the parent committees. From the time school’s out to show time, they [work on] wardrobe, props, we even have parents who come back each year to help, even after their children have graduated.”

This brand of dedication seems to be a running theme in the Castillero community, from staff to parents and even former students. “Nothing like this [production] is happening, even at the high school level,” said Garner. “Our teachers put in so much extra time, above and beyond the call of duty, and we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with a seasoned professional like Paul, who loves the students,” she continued. “Plus, for the last three years, we’ve even had former students come back to contribute to the show,” said Garner. “In fact, this year’s Music Director and pianist is a 1993 school graduate.”

As the show itself has grown and matured, so have the performance ethics of the students themselves, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by CPA’s professional Production Stage Manager “Woody” Woodward.
“I’ve been involved with this show for the past 13 years, and without a doubt, this is one of the best organized productions I’ve ever seen at this level. No public school can put on a production at this level. It takes a focused purpose and many dedicated volunteers to do something like this.”

To that end, Nowiki explained that the initial ramp-up for each years’ CPA show takes a group of about 30 parents working from the beginning of July on to produce the annual CPA event. “And that doesn’t even include the second tier of 20 or so committees or the dozens of parents that come to help on production day,” she added.
The cumulative effort of these many individuals is manifested in the quality and scope of the Castillero production, making it clear to all that this is no haphazard event. “The event is sponsored by the Music Boosters,” said CPA Chairperson and Vice President of the Music boosters, Cindy Nowiki. “We are very committed to raising the funds that support this performing Arts magnet. There is no money for a performing arts program in the school district. Our main goal is to keep the CPA program alive.”

And with as budget that a small production would envy, funding the CPA program is no small feat. “Producing this [show] requires a significant budget,” explained Music Booster President John Pew. “Back when my older son was at Castillero in the early 1990’s, we had a $20-30,000 budget. Now it is nearly in the six figures.” Well over half of the money raised to fund the show is generated through ticket sales, program advertisements and sponsors. The balance is made up from individual donations and student fundraisers.

“We aren’t making any extra money,” emphasized Pew. “We are breaking even, just enough to put on our show.”
For Castillero dance director Michelle Crivello, one of the creative talents behind the annual show, what has impressed her over her 13-year involvement with the production has been the continually increasing professionalism of the students. “These [students] just get more and more advanced. Each year I think ‘this is the best show,’ and each year it reaches a new height. It’s great to see students ready and willing to set and attain such high goals for themselves.”

It is this same high work ethic that has prompted the return of professional entertainer Paul Bryant to Castillero’s production for the past four years. “I really enjoy the chance to give back to the community,” said Bryant, a veteran of both the London and Broadway stage. “The kids are great and have an amazing work ethic at such a young age. This group is so polished, very professional. And that’s what this whole show is about – it’s about them, the kids. What Castillero has to offer these students is so important, so essential. And they are all so gracious; they really make me feel like a star. I’m here to compliment them, these talented, talented young people.”