Gilroy High School teacher Ethan Stocks performs "It Takes a Village" with Choir Director Phil Robb and others during the combined Gilroy High and Christopher High choir fall concert at St. Mary Church last month.
"It takes a whole village to raise our children. It takes a whole village to raise one child. We all - everyone - must share the burden; We all - everyone - will share the joy."
These words, adapted by composer Joan Szymko from a West African saying and interspersed with the rhythms of percussion instruments filled St. Mary Church with a joyful spirit as Gilroy's High School and Christopher High School Students ended their first concert of the year.
I can't think of a better way to express the role that the arts play in developing our children to their fullest potential. Music and art cross the lines between cultures and generations, giving individuals powerful vehicles for expression.
It may not have been an entire village, but as I took in the scene, I was struck by the audience that filled the church to capacity. Their applause was a tribute to the accomplishment of the singers and instrumentalists and the director who made it all happen. If every child in our district could receive this kind of encouragement how might our village be changed?
And then there were the former students, now teachers in our district, gathered together to lend their voices to the final song. It will take a whole village to support and encourage this new generation of educators, enabling them to reach their full potential as role models and mentors to Gilroy's children.
One of this new generation of educators with the potential to make a real difference in our community is Ethan Stocks.
A former Rucker School and Gilroy High School student, Stocks holds a bachelor's degree in theater from UCLA and taught at Gilroy High School from 2004-06 before leaving to continue his education.
After receiving his master's degree in film studies from University College in London, England, he is back in the community where he was raised and enthusiastic about his position at Gilroy High School teaching English and heading the Theater Department.
I asked Stocks about the impact of his studies abroad. He described the culture shock as "big." Studying in a cohort of 25 diverse students (only eight were British), he found that non-Americans had a much greater arts component in their lives. Perhaps this newly inspired teacher will find a way to raise the level of arts awareness in his students.
Stocks has had much exposure to theater over the years. His theater involvement as a youth includes Community Theater, Rucker Theater Arts (he was the student rep.), and Gilroy High School theater under both Jim Maya and Greg Camacho-Light.
For him theater was a family activity along with mom, Robin; dad, Dave; sister, Megan; and grandmother, Hermie Medley. In fact, it was his mom who shed the light on his career path when, as he searched for direction, she said, "If not theater ... then English."
Now that he is back, Stocks is enjoying his teaching assignment and welcoming theater as a means to be satisfied in a creative way. His goal is to revive Gilroy High School's program to where it was when he was in high school and ultimately to the era of Jim Maya when hundreds of participants performed to sold out audiences. The only things hindering his goals right now are the high school facility, in great need of renovation, and materials that his budget cannot afford. He could make good use of a pro bono licensed electrician and a Shop Vac. Anyone?
Stocks is collaborating with Christopher High School's Theater Department head and artistic director of Odyssey Theatre, Dr. Catherine Booth, on two up-coming productions.
"Grimm's Trilogy" is written by Catherine Booth and Greg-Camacho Light. This story of three of the most grim of the Grimm's tales will be performed in the new Black Box Theatre at Christopher High School by students from Brownell Middle School.
Immediately following "Grimm's Trilogy," Stocks, as director, and Booth, as producer, will present the classic Agatha Christie drama, "And Then There Were None" on Gilroy High School's stage by students from both Gilroy and Christopher high schools.
These productions offer our entire community, our "village", the opportunity to not only enjoy an evening of fine affordable theater, but also to support the efforts of dedicated teachers and the talented young people they mentor. Their success will benefit all of us. "It takes a whole village ..."
Carol Harris Carol Harris serves on the City of Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission and is a founding member and past president of the Gilroy Arts Alliance and past president of South Valley Civic Theatre. If you would like to suggest an artist or event for future articles, e-mail carolforart@hotmail.com.
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