Musical theater program highlights thriving school
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Special to the OBSERVER
Just a few years ago, the future of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School was uncertain, as low enrollment and the cessation of subsidies from the Diocese of Buffalo threatened to close the school's doors for good. But over the past two years, enrollment has surged, as new and veteran families alike embraced NCCS' 100% in-person instruction when so many districts shifted to remote learning. According to Principal Andrew Ludwig, the future looks bright, as NCCS' enrollment is strong for next year, with a wait list for many classes. While face-to-face learning may have gotten new families in the door, it's what is happening inside NCCS that is keeping students there for the long haul.
Janie Villella-Sharon, fondly known by her students as Ms. Janie, first became acquainted with NCCS as a parent, when she enrolled her oldest child in NCCS' PreK program for the 2020-2021 school year. A lecturer in SUNY Fredonia's Department of Theatre and Dance and owner of her own private performing arts studio, Ms. Janie has directed musicals for many area schools over the years. In 2021, she accepted the position of general music teacher at NCCS and revived a musical theater program that hadn't produced a show since 2019. "I am a teacher at heart, and I want to share and instill that passion in the next generation," said Ms. Janie of her decision to work at NCCS. "To me, bringing the performing arts back to NCCS is part of the rejuvenation of the school itself--a symbol of the school coming back to life!"
Villella-Sharon hit the ground running with NCCS' very first all-school musical in the fall of 2021. "The Lion King Jr." featured performances from students in every grade, from PreK3 through eighth, and ran for four sold-out performances last November. Eighth grader Tommy Askar, who was part of the stage crew, was thrilled to finally be part of the show, as it was originally slated for March 2020, but canceled due to the pandemic. Tommy said, "During our Lion King after party, we all begged Ms. Janie to have a second musical this year. She said yes, and that's what makes her such a great teacher!"
Indeed, students will be performing "Shrek Jr." on Friday afternoon (for students and staff only) and at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. While this show features performances by middle school students rather than the whole school, Tommy pointed out that there were just as many opportunities for students to get involved. "Ms. Janie double cast this musical, so all of the principal roles are played by two students," he explained. "I'm playing Shrek during two of the four shows, and Dylan Ott is playing Shrek for the other two shows. When we're not Shrek, we have small roles as Papa Ogre and a knight."
For everyone involved, the musical has been a true team effort, with just as much coordination and cooperation involved in team sports, Tommy said. "Everybody's part is important, from the ensemble to the leads," he said. "If everyone works together as a team and is respectful of each other, that helps us be in sync with our dance moves, singing, and our lines."
All the work involved in the musical benefits students in numerous ways on and off the stage. The ability to learn, retain, and recall information, especially in stressful situations, serves students in their educational journey and beyond, to say nothing of the physicality involved in dancing, moving set pieces, and coordinating sound and lighting. Reasons such as these are why Villella-Sharon pursued teaching and why she's excited to be working at NCCS. "NCCS students are willing to try things they've never done before, and the excitement and passion that comes from them when they have conquered their goals is amazing," she said.
Even though he is graduating from NCCS this year, Tommy is excited for his younger classmates to have Villella-Sharon as their music teacher next year and beyond. "Having Ms. Janie as our teacher is a huge blessing," he said. "Now, I really love the idea of acting, and I hope to do the musical at Canisius High School next year! I've never been into musicals as much as I have been now, and that's all because of Ms. Janie."
This summer, there are more opportunities for students to embrace their dramatic side during Villella-Sharon's Shine On Drama Camp from July 5 to 8 at NCCS. The camp is open to NCCS and non-NCCS students and includes a morning program for children entering grades one through three (featuring music from "Encanto") and an afternoon program for students in grades four through eight (featuring music from "Descendants"). For more information, email Villella-Sharon at jsharon@nccschool.us. Tickets for "Shrek Jr." are available in advance at the school's main office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or at the door before show time.