Seniors from the Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy are
holding a fundraiser with dual purpose. In addition to raising
money for senior year activities such as prom, 20 percent of the
money generated from the car wash scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday at the Chevron gas station on the corner of Monterey and
10th Street will go to Shea Shaw.
Seniors from the Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, an alternative high school known as GECA located on the Gavilan College Campus at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., are holding a fundraiser with dual purpose.
In addition to raising money for senior year activities such as prom, 20 percent of the money generated from the car wash scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Chevron gas station on the corner of Monterey and 10th Street will go to Shea Shaw.
A 15-year-old student at Los Gatos High School, Shaw was struck by a hit-and-run driver Jan. 8, 2011, and is still in a coma. GECA Principal Mary Ann Boylan said the idea to give 20 percent of car wash revenue to Shaw was brought up by a GECA student, who is friends with Shaw.
“The seniors decided, ‘why are we using all this money just for us?'” she said. “So they decided to give some of the money they raised back to Shaw and her family.”
GECA will accept donations when supporters stop by the Chevron on Saturday for a car wash.
“We did this last year, and we had quite a lineup,” said Boylan. “Just roll on through and we’ll get’cha done.”
Auditions Saturday for ‘Gleeful’
Auditions for “Gleeful: The big movie musical” – a full-length, feature film that parodies teen-age pop culture and will be shot around town in Gilroy – are coming up this weekend. This movie is written and directed by John Bisceglie, locally renown theater director who founded the Gilroy Children’s Musical Theater in 1991.
Around 250 participants have made an appointment to try out, although Bisceglie reminds his policy is to “cast all who audition.”
Auditions and rehearsals will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Gilroy Senior Center on 7371 Hanna St. in Gilroy. Ages 5 to 9 will audition at 11 a.m., ages 10 to 13 will audition at 1 p.m.; and ages 14 to 25 will audition at 3 p.m.
Bisceglie asks participants be prepared to sing 45 seconds of any song without music.
“Select a dynamic song that really shows off your personality and pipes,” he suggest.
Children not interested in being considered for a solo do not have to sing at auditions, he reminds. They can just attend the acting portion of the audition, which will involve “acting out some emotions and reciting some easy lines.”
Attendees are asked to wear bright colors, but avoid clothing with small patterns, stripes or lettering as the auditions will be on camera. A portions of the auditions will make it into the film, Bisceglie says.
‘Gleeful’ details
– There will be 12, Saturday-only rehearsals held Sept. 3 to 24; Oct. 1 to 29; and Nov. 5 to 19.
– The live movie gala is slated for either January or February 2012.
– Registration fees are $195 for Gilroy residents; $200 for non-residents. Each family is responsible for providing/creating a costume, as well as selling 25 tickets.
– For more information and to make an audition appointment, visit www.gilroychildrensmusicaltheater.com
– For an extended story on Bisceglie and “Gleeful,” click here.
