I previously posted about Joe Owen's blog post regarding the Nazareth Drama Clubs lack of participation in the annual Freddy Awards at the State Theatre (read my post on his here).
Given that discussion plus the arguments for the new MS that included the "revenue generating" facilities (including a pool and auditorium) that would also bring culture to the community, I wrote about the recent A Capella championships held at the HS auditorium (read that post here).
When I looked to see if fees were charged for the championships, I couldn't find a reference to it in the Board Agendas available online so I sent an email to the administration using the email listed on their site on Tuesday (2/27/07 at 7:37 a.m.):
There had been some discussion in regard to cultural events being held at NASD facilities and revenue that would be generated from facility use.
There was recently an a Capella championship for HS and College held at Nazareth, but I was unable to find the Board minutes where the use for this organization was approved.
My post is available here:
http://nocnews.blogspot.com/2007/02/capella-championships-at-nazareth-hs.html
And today I found this article on the collegiate competition here which was good recognition for Nazareth:
http://www.biconews.com/article/view/5422
My questions in regard to this event is when was this event approved, were rental fees assessed, and was admission charged?
Thank you,
Ross
I've not yet received a response (nor have I gotten a response regarding a question I sent last Friday in regard to transportation), but today there was a letter to the editor in the Express-Times from a student at Nazareth (read it here).
The student argues that Owen's is off-base in his assessment. Specifically, the student notes that the drama club receives nothing but the auditorium while sports are fully funded. In fact the drama club has paid staff as was noted here that is paid by the NASD and the athletic teams have an athletic fund that is derived from revenue generated (though not fully self-funded).
The student also notes that it is the clubs' decision not to participate based on their impression of the overall event and that if they wanted to compete they would join a sport. While I don't believe this needs to be a sports vs. drama club argument, the reality is we all compete every day and it is often not in athletic competition.
What is to fear? The recognition and achievement of a fantastic performance is sought in all fields. The Oscars were just held, what about them? There are the Tony's and so many others. The Freddy's provide an opportunity to be recognized and give an extended audience. I still don't understand what is wrong with that, and unfortunately the student didn't articulate the reasoning why the Club choses not to participate.
18 comments:
Personally, I do not believe the letter in the Express Times expresses the viewpoint of the entire drama crew. In my opinion, the Freddy awards provides fine recognition for a job well done. Do theses same Nazareth students feel that there should be no honor roll,achievment, scholastic or sports awards. Why is Nazareth just about the only school district in the area that doesn't participate? Are they afraid they won't win? I don't understand.
The Freddys seem to be an excellent way to promote the arts. How often do we hear of non-athletes complain that the athletic teams are the only ones who get any recognition? Let the rest of the area see how our students excel in many areas. Many non-athletic groups are involved in competitons - Scholastic Scrimmage, Band Competitions, etc. I think the student's letter just raises so many more questions about why Nazareth does not participate. I would like to see the answers.
Joe Owen's has a follow-up on his blogand the letter is signed by 30+ students (would assume drama club members?)
I also did receive an email today from the NASD after I made the original post and it stated:
"The program, held on February 17, was sponsored by the High School
Music Club and Nazareth students participated. Therefore, the
classification of the use was "B." Those item was Board approved by
reference."
In reading the board agendas, fees are also waived when not sponsored by a school group. I'll have to see what revenue is anticipated in the budget for this purpose, but I can't imagine it is much.
Will you ,please, STOP BASHING the auditorium and dramam club!!!
Sorry -- I misspelled DRAMA CLUB. Please give them the credit and recognition they deserve.
The young people work VERY hard and give it their all and have alot of fun and healthy cameradie.
And whether it be band , chorus, sports, as long as those are the goals of the young people , that is of utmost importance
At 8:17 PM, Anonymous said…
Will you ,please, STOP BASHING the auditorium and dramam club!!!
I don't see any bashing, simply questions. How much revenue does the auditorium generate and why isn't Nazareth in the Freddie's?
To the contrary of bashing, I support the drama club (and so do the other comments I've read). I think the performances are great. My daughter has been to shows and I don't think my parents have missed one in years.
The discussion really doesn't have anything to do with the participants of the Drama Club. It is really about the NASD's decision to not participate in the awards program.
This decision would be made by a supervisor of the activity and probably approved by at least the principal. There could also be a question as to why the club is apparently given the decision to participate or not, but that too is not the club's role its how the school conducts itself.
People are interested in having the drama club in the Freddy's because they do want them to be recognized and have the opportunity to perform infront of a broader audience.
The auditorium and revenue is an issue because it was made an issue during the recent discussions about the new MS. It was stated repeatedly that the pool will generate revenue. It was also noted that the auditorium (of which we already have two good ones) will bring cultural events and revenue.
As a result of this, I looked into one event and it turns out there was no revenue. Looking at Board Agendas shows that many times fees are waived (yes some are collected).
I haven't seen people say let's get rid of the drama club, only let's give them an opportunity.
These comments are the total opposite of bashing. We are wondering why the drama club is not getting the opportunity for valley wide recognition. My children are very active in varsity sports, but we have also attended many performances in support of their friends and classmates. I'm not sure that the choice to not participate in the Freddys is in the best interest of the school or the drama club. What is the reason that we don't participate?
why do we not have more functions at this very expensive auditorium? it would seem that a nice place would hold more concerts/shows of some sort? it would be nice to see it used more and to possibly bring some more money to the district.. thoughts on this? or a reason why it isnt used more.
kelley wrote-
my daughter, s first grader at Shafer, has been in that auditorium at least 6-8 times...to the MS chorus production and fall alice in wonderland production which I took her and her siblings to,and we all throughly enjoyed--but additionally Shafer has had several field trips there---great experience for all the students and an impressive facility!
WHY such an obsession with Freddy???? NASD is probably going to get a POOL and artificial turf for sport events. So now let's pick on the auditorium. and that is just what is happening. WHY must we discuss its value?????? It is serving a great purpose---as did the old auditorium . Kids have been performing as band, chorus , drama , and loving every minute of it. Years ago I enjoyed the events on the stage of the Belvidere Street Junior/Senior highschool.
We had ALOT of fun, made good friends , now have fond memories, plus the experience of working TOGETHER for a fabulous production
You're exactly right. The experience is a good and memorable one.
Wouldn't it have been even better, if you'd have had the opportunity to meet students from across the Lehigh Valley who shared the same interest and show off your production to an even larger audience on television?
It is not an obsession, it is a single question. Why not participate?
The auditorium is not going away, the argument regarding the MS was that we don't need a MS, not parts of it, the entire building.
One argument made in favor of having yet another MS (we have the one on Tatamy Road, the one attached to the hs and now this one) was that the facilities would generate revenue. The point I was making is that they really don't generate revenue. At least the way they are operated today.
No one has said we shouldn't have drama, auditoriums etc. We have them. We spent a lot of money on them. We should use them. We should also charge for them if they are rented out, especially at a time when cuts are being made in the budget.
The auditorium is not being picked on, the kids and the program are being supported, but the simple question as to why we shouldn't participate in an awards program hasn't been answered.
Because---for one good reason---if Nazareth did not pick up an award, we would then have another bone to gnaw on. The critics and naysayers would then have another reason to "find fault". There is already too much faultfinding in our area and it's time we took more POSITIVE ACTION
Competition is not a dirty word.
About a dozen years ago I served on a school committee for reforms (Goals 2000) in NASD. One of my most vivid memories was a bit of wrangling over the word "competition". While formulating a mission statement (or something similar) including that word was a real sticking point with the school psychologist. We did use it despite her protesting but now I see her mindset has infiltrated into wider circles. I find that disheartening.
:-(
Below is part of the a letter to Joe Owens from Kayla Mormak, a Nazareth Junior and a member of the drama troupe. Read the rest of her comments using the link below.
Now would you all just let this go?
http://blog.pennlive.com/joeowensblog/2007/02/youth_to_blogger_youre_full_of.html#comments
"As a cast, we are content in performing during April, and returning to the world of high school in May. We don't want to be rehearsing for an extra month just to go to another stage, to have someone tell us that we were good. We know that already. By the way, we've been nominated for awards without joining. Guess we aren't as affected by stage fright as you might think."
The comments above, by Kayl Mormack, were they printed as part of the published letter to the Express? And if not, WHY? WHY does the media have the right to print only what they want ? and not give the total article?
Conclusion gained from 6:41:
They are not inclined to practice after the play and they don't want to have to defend themselves if they don't win. Talk about lack of inspiration and motivation.......
Wow! If kids felt that way about sports competition we wouldn't have any teams, games, matches, etc. They would just all take turns doiung their thing and be happy with not knowing how they stack up. Something doesn't seem healthy about being afraid of knowing if there are others who are more talented than they.
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