[golddigger52]

I am appalled that the Charter School is now using the Sharon Morse Preforming Arts Center in Spanish Springs for their concerts and charging families $10.00 per person to attend. I feel like we are being forced to use this new venue if we want to show our children we support their activities.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by golddigger52

I am appalled that the Charter School is now using the Sharon Morse Preforming Arts Center in Spanish Springs for their concerts and charging families $10.00 per person to attend. I feel like we are being forced to use this new venue if we want to show our children we support their activities.

Usually when schools rent venues like this for concerts, commencement ceremonies, etc., the performers/families or graduates/families are given tickets for free.

That is exactly what was done every time our kids' Catholic schools K-12 paid for concerts and commencements to be held at performing arts centers just like the Sharon.

So let's cut to the chase. The developers here are loathed by their partisan foes, and this above is a way of biting at them.

[blueash]

Does the Charter School charge for attending sports events? Or high school plays? If there are costs involved such as renting the building, clean up, printing tickets and programs, paying royalty fees for the music, whom do you think should bear the cost of those items? I do believe it was a high school group that had the first production at the Sharon, and it was not free. I am sure it could be done at a less expensive venue such as the school gym and if enough parents share your concern and express it to the program director then next time the location may be changed. It is ok to say to your child that you support what they are doing but that you will not be able to attend the show this time, wish them the best, and get a review from them when they come home.

[golddigger52]

The charter school had charged in the past for concerts, but only $5.00 per person. I think that the Villages is forcing us to use THEIR preforming arts center now that it's built. I realize there's a cost for clean up but the school has always hosted it's concerts in the school in the past and I see no need to change to a more costly venue just to make sure the new center is used. If they do, they should give passes free to immediate family.

[GaryW]

TVCS end of the year Dance Concert showcase what ever you want to call it has been at the Savannah Center for so many years. It is to small,,, really crowded, and they have always charged for the tickets. The money goes to the school.
Not sure what all the hub fub is about, but been like that forever.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by golddigger52

The charter school had charged in the past for concerts, but only $5.00 per person. I think that the Villages is forcing us to use THEIR preforming arts center now that it's built. I realize there's a cost for clean up but the school has always hosted it's concerts in the school in the past and I see no need to change to a more costly venue just to make sure the new center is used. If they do, they should give passes free to immediate family.

We supported all the charter school concerts and plays and paid to sit on a hard little chair, or the bleachers, to watch the very talented and delightful children on a tiny stage. We have no dog in this fight, no children of ours performing, but we love to watch them and I am really pleased that they are being allowed to use the Sharon for their performances. I think it must be so exciting for them to perform on a real stage, with a real audience seated before them. I'll pay just for the pleasure of seeing such young talent and delightfully engaged children.

May I respectfully suggest that you take this question of $10 per head to someone at the school and see if they could do a rehearsal performance on the school stage for parents who just cannot afford to spend that much money for a whole family to watch the child performing?

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by golddigger52

The charter school had charged in the past for concerts, but only $5.00 per person. I think that the Villages is forcing us to use THEIR preforming arts center now that it's built. I realize there's a cost for clean up but the school has always hosted it's concerts in the school in the past and I see no need to change to a more costly venue just to make sure the new center is used. If they do, they should give passes free to immediate family.

Most people know that Fine & Performing Arts are part of a high-school, college-prep curriculum--not "extracurricular activities"�.

...and that if these music and theater students performing want to pursue a degree in music, theater, theater production/staging/lighting/sound, music-business, entertainment, recording industry, they will be AUDITIONING as they enter college, and they need experience in a stage/lighting/sound venue with orchestra pit and proper acoustics, to be able to not look like a fool when they audition for college!!


This could be educational for some, to see what goes into musical and theater production in a university-like and broadway-style venue:

The Sharon to Open:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjAVwjawJ40

.

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by golddigger52

I am appalled that the Charter School is now using the Sharon Morse Preforming Arts Center in Spanish Springs for their concerts and charging families $10.00 per person to attend. I feel like we are being forced to use this new venue if we want to show our children we support their activities.

Well, can't speak for all schools, everywhere, but I can flatly state that the HS school I attended back IN THE '70's in Ohio, and all of the HS's our kids were involved with in NJ, ALL charged for: 1) their sporting events, 2) their Sr. Class Spring Play, 3) All-class Xmas Play/Concert, 4) And in most cases, parking for 1-3. So not sure why this event at the new facility is such a big deal, other than - it's at the new facility that some people don't like/didn't want. Now, for things like Graduation, yes, the kids each got 4-6 tickets for "up front" or floor seating. Everyone else was in the cheap seats. But that was the only case like that.

I wonder......if this event had been held at the former Katie Belle's (pre-renovation), and charged a similar fee......would there be such an outcry?? Hmmm.......just wondering.......

[Bogie Shooter]

Apples and oranges?

[DougB]

10 bucks a head to watch your child perform in a beautiful new theatre with state of the art lighting and sound system sounds reasonable to me.

[dadspet]

The Village Charter School is a wonderful incentive to attract qualified people to support the infrastructure needed by the residents of The Villages. Its a great school that deserves the support of the residents. Without it you might be traveling to Ocala or Orlando for your needs. The education of the families children that support us is important and providing them a stage to showcase their talents is worthy of our support. And yes its my understanding that families of the children are provided a certain number of free tickets.

[bargee]

We attended the Charter Schools performance and would have paid twice as much,What a great group of talented young men and women.We can't wait for their next show.