Young People's Theatre-regarding tonight's City Council meeting

March 28, 2006


Dear Mayor Gonzales et al.,

Good morning. I am writing to you today regarding the
future of the Young People's Theatre program, based at
Kirk Community Center in San Jose. I believe that
this issue will be discussed tonight at the city
council meeting, in an attempt to put it onto the
agenda in April.

I participated in this program from 6th grade through
my sophomore year of high school. My first job was
through Young People's Theatre, as a Recreation Aide
at the age of 15. Since then, I've gone on to do
theatre on the community level, sing at Paramount's
Great America in the mainstage show for multiple
seasons and later received my Bachelor's in Musical
Theatre and Business Administration from California
State University Chico. I currently perform at
various theatres in the Bay Area and am working on an
original musical recording as well as working full
time in the field of intellectual property law.

I believe that Young People's Theatre set the stage
for me to learn about theatre on an individual basis,
rather than always as a member of the chorus, as is
the case for some of the other children's theatres in
the area. It laid a foundation for me to grow as a
performer and as a well-rounded, active community
member.

It has now come to my attention that the program may
have to shut down due to fiscal problems. If the
council were to reclassify Carole Ferris-Greer's
position so that it is funded from the General Fund
out of the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
Department budget, I understand that the program will
be able to generate sufficient revenue to cover all of
the other costs of the program.

Therefore, I am asking you today to reclassify Carole
Ferris Greer's position. Your own website says that
San Jose's "innovative efforts are working to ensure
that all children can achieve in Silicon Valley". In
your recent State of the City Address on February 8,
2006, you asked the people of San Jose and its leaders
to follow you and to continue working to achieve a
shared vision to make "San Jose a city that every one
of us can take pride in." I would like to take pride
in the city's efforts to allow the smaller community
youth theatres to continue operations so that its
participants may go on to lead well-rounded, positive
and active lives within the community.

Thank you for your time and I hope that you will do
what is best for the community.

Sincerely,

Monica Turner
MonicaT1225@sbcglobal.net


cc: Les White, Interim City Manager
Judy Chirco, District 9 San Jose City Council
Member
Rosie Marks, Friends of Young People's Theatre
Advisory Committee