Important addresses to write to in support of YPT

Please write letters of support to the people listed below expressing your concern with the proposed closure of YPT. Thank you.

mayoremail@ci.sj.ca.us ( Ron Gonzales Mayor)
judy.chirco@ci.sj.ca.us ( Councillor for District 9)
ken.yeager@ci.sj.ca.us ( Councillor for District 6)
Sara.Hensley@sanjoseca.gov (Director of PRNS)
Joan.Carrico@sanjoseca.gov (Deputy Director of PRNS)
Gary.Okazaki@sanjoseca.gov (Manager PRNS)
joe.mosley@ci.sj.ca.us (Manager PRNS)
Gerard.Manuel@sanjoseca.gov Manager PRNS)

Important dates for the City of San Jose's budget and public hearing information

Below are the important public hearing dates should you wish to appear in person and protest the proposed closure of YPT

Tuesday May 17th-Initial Public Hearing (public can comment on the budget)

Monday June 13th- final Public Hearing

Should you want to make your concerns known and express your opposition to the proposed closure of YPT then doing it before May 9th would be a good idea.


May 9-20th- Council Study Sessions (Departments defend their choices and Q&A from Council)


March 16th- Mayor's March Budget Message release (available on the internet)

March 22nd- Mayor's budget message reviewed by City Council

April 4&5- Budget office does final review of operating budget with Mayor's office

Wednesday April 6-HNVF Committee releases funding recommendations

April 11th- Budget Office does final review of capital budget with Mayor's office

Monday April 25th -2005-2006 Proposed Capital Budget released to the public

Friday April 29th- 2005-2006 Proposed operating Budget released to the public

Friday May 6th- -2005-2006 Proposed Fees and charges released to the public

May 9-20th- Council Study Sessions (Departments defend their choices and Q&A from Council)

Tuesday May 17th-Initial Public Hearing (public can comment on the budget)

Wednesday June 8th- Mayor's June Budget Message released

Monday June 13th- final Public Hearing

Tuesday June 14th- Mayor's June Budget Message reviewed by Council

Tuesday June 21- Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Fees and Charges approved by Council

Upcoming Summer Camps and Workshops

Programs are tentatively scheduled for Summer 2005

Fine Arts Camps Cost $128 per camper

June 20-24 Fine Arts Camp (M-F) 1-5 pm Grades 4, 5 & 6

July 18-22 Fine Arts Camp (M-F) 1-5 pm Grades 2, 3 & 4

Aug 1-5 Fine Arts Camp (M-F) 1-5 pm Grades K, 1 & 2

Drama Basics 3 day Workshop Cost $78 per camper

June 27-30 Drama Basics Workshop (M-Th) 10am-1 pm Grades K-1

June 27-30 Drama Basics Workshop (M-Th) 1.30 pm-4.30 pm Grades 2&3

Art Workshop Cost $78 per camper

July 6-8 Art Work Shop (W-F) 10 am-1 pm Grades 2, 3 & 4

July 6-8 Art Work Shop (W-F) 1.30 pm-5.00 pm Grades 5, 6 & 7

Bootcamp Drama Cost $128 per camper

July 11-15 BootCamp Drama (M-Th) 1 pm-5 pm Friday 1- 7.30 pm Grades 4, 5 & 6
Camp Performance Friday 6.30 pm


July 25-29 BootCamp Drama (M-Th) 1 pm-5 pm Friday 1-7.30 pm Grades 2, 3 & 4
Camp Performance Friday 6.30 pm

For more details, information and a flyer call Donna Becker at 408 723-1571

Peter Pan Ticket availability

Chairs available $12+ 2 cans / mats available $6 +2 cans NB: Mats are for children only.

Day	Time	Chairs	Mats
March 13th	2.00 pm	15	0
March 15th	7.00 pm	10	6
March 16th	7.00 pm	37	15
March 17th	7.00 pm	45	0
March 18th	7.30 pm	Sold Out
March 19th	3.00 pm	9	5
March 19th	7.30 pm	32	5

If interested in purchasing available tickets please see Donna Becker in the front office. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
Questions? Call 408 723-1571 after 4 pm on show days

Judy Chirco supports YPT by attending a performance of Peter Pan

Judy Chirco supports YPT by attending a performance of Peter Pan
Originally uploaded by rosiemac.

Councillor Chirco (SJD 9) attended a Peter Pan performance tonight, and spoke to the children afterwards about how much she had enjoyed the performance.

Friendships that last

How YPT helps children make new friends: :

Don't let San Jose close it. Download movie here.

Ken Yeager, a YPT advocate, supports the program by attending Peter Pan.

Ken Yeager supporting YPT at Peter Pan
Originally uploaded by rosiemac.

Councillor Ken Yeager (SJD 6) attended the performance of Peter Pan this evening and promised his full support for YPT. He spoke to the children and was full of enthusiasm for their performance and their program.

Thank you for your words of encouragement and for caring about the children.

YPT Young Writers Competition

Young People's Theater Co.
Young Writers Competition Sponsored by
Friends of YPT & The Parent Support Group

Write a review of 300 words or less on a performance of PeterPan
from March 4th 2005 through March 19th 2005
The closing date for the competition is March 20th 2005
Please complete the following and attach it to your entry. If possible include the ticket stub of the show reviewed:

Name: .......................................................................

Address: ........................................................................

.......................................zip............................

Age & DOB: ......................................


Date and time of show reviewed: ...................

Deliver entries by hand to the competition box in the front office at Kirk Community Center or send by e-mail to: ypt@epeus.com no later than 3/20/05
Entry forms can be requested by e-mail from ypt@epeus.com or can be picked up at Kirk Community Center
Entry requirements:
Participants must have seen the performance they are reviewing. There will be three categories:

Under 10 Under 14 Under 18

The decision of the judges is final

Certificates, signed by Councillor Yeager with the official City seal will be presented. Winners will receive gift cards. All reviews that make the final list will be published on the website at http://yptsupport.blogspot.com
Please direct all enquiries to:
Rosemary Marks: contact e-mail (rosiemac@mac.com)

Ticket availability at YPT as of 3/8/05 (subject to change)

Chairs available $12+ 2 cans / mats available $6 +2 cans NB: Mats are for children only.

Day	Time	Chairs	Mats
March 9th	7.00 pm	17	11
March 10th	7.00 pm	0	14
March 11th	7.30 pm	23	0
March 12th	3.00 pm	16	3
March 12th	7.30 pm	0	0
March 13th	2.00 pm	20	0
March 15th	7.00 pm	16	6
March 16th	7.00 pm	41	15
March 17th	7.00 pm	51	5
March 18th	7.30 pm	0	0
March 19th	3.30 pm	12	7
March 19th	7.30 pm	32	5

If interested in purchasing available tickets please see Donna Becker in the front office. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
Questions? Call 408 723-1571 after 4 pm on show days

Another life changed by YPT

A cast member tells how YPT affected him: :

He asks San Jose not to close it.Download movie here.

Only One Voice?

The Young People's Theater Co. kicked off its Spring Season on March 4th 2005 with a wonderful production of Peter Pan. There will be 19 shows over the next two weeks, with two main casts and three choruses. My two boys have been involved with YPT for three years and it has been a wonderful journey Christopher landed the role of Michael and Andrew was cast as a lost boy. It was quite funny on Friday because Andrew named his ever-elusive black karate shoe as the "lost shoe" as it fell off three times! It will be as secure as Peter's shadow after Wendy sewed it back on for the next show!

I invited Councillor Judy Chirco and the Management team of the Parks and Recreation Department in San José to attend, in my capacity as a spokesperson for the YPT parent support group and Advisory Board Member for District 9 in San José. Everyone except one replied to my e-mail and everyone except two intend to attend. The people who are unable to attend are numbers one and two in the hierarchy in the Parks and Recreational Services in San José.

The person who did not reply was sitting in front of me on opening night and was overheard saying "I am only one voice" when asked by a concerned parent about the future of the program. The same "one voice" put the program up for closure.

So, my question is this. What does it actually mean when someone says "I am only one voice" ? Does it imply impotence? Does it imply defeat, exasperation and an "it is out of my hands" abdication of responsibility? I wonder.

I am only one voice, but a voice that speaks to others. I have told hundreds of people about this place. I invite all my friends to the performances. I attend fund raising events. In short, I wholeheartedly support the program.

I spent last Saturday collecting signatures on a petition to have the program officially recognised by the City of San José and to oppose the closure. I collected 150+ at two shows alone. Here are some children's voices.

"One voice" can be effective, persuasive, negative or - worse - inaudible. When you are number three in the hierarchy of the management team at Parks and Recreational Services in San José it is not acceptable to be ineffective or inaudible.

The children speak

We interviewed children about the YPT and San Jose's threat to close it. Here's what they had to say:


Download movie here.