Also in this issue: - The Spectrum Magazine

Cañada College Continues on Course to Become a Destination for Actors, Theater Technicians
K
atie Townsend-Merino, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Cañada College, has put the pieces in
place to make the college’s Theater Arts Department a destination for actors and theater technicians.
This summer, Townsend-Merino hired veteran theater arts professor Anna Budd to lead the department
and worked internally to have Mike Walsh return to the Theater Arts Department as events coordinator.
Walsh had been working in the college’s Learning Center.
Budd arrives at the college from the College of the Siskiyous in Shasta, where she had been teaching
drama. She is an accomplished playwright and performer; she also has expertise in choreographed stage
combat and plans to introduce it into future productions.
“There’s no reason Cañada College can’t have one of the premier Theater Arts Departments in the Bay
Area,” she said. “We have a state-of-the-art theater, support of the college, and Mike Walsh’s technical
expertise.”
Walsh, a veteran of Bay Area theater, started teaching drama at the college in 1978. He will provide support
by producing scenery and lighting and in the spring he will teach a course focused on the behind-thescenes
technical aspects that are an essential element of any top-notch theater production.
“I’m very excited about my role,” Walsh said. “Our goal is to make the Theater Arts Department a destination
program for students.”
Townsend-Merino said the vision goes well beyond producing plays with community college actors. This
summer, the college offered a four-day acting intensive program in association with TheaterWorks that
quickly filled with students.
“We want to offer young actors exposure to established, semi-professional actors who can explain acting
techniques, the technical aspects, and the business side of theater,” Townsend-Merino said.
Cañada College President Tom Mohr said the program is important not only for the college but also the
San Mateo County Community College District. “It’s the only community college acting program in the
county. Katie has developed a blueprint for moving the program forward and I can see the pieces coming
together.
Supporters of the Cañada College Theater Arts Department are organizing a fundraiser to be held
Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Redwood City Women’s Club, 149 Clinton Street. Tickets
are $20 and include wine, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment by the theater arts students. The event is being
sponsored by Steve Penna and Spectrum Magazine and Capital Mortgage Lending.
“I am very excited about the direction of the program,” said Lourdes Carini, a Redwood City businesswoman
who has supported the program in the past by organizing the annual fundraiser. Katie and Tom have
shown a commitment to the program and I think the pieces they’ve put in place this summer will truly make
the college a destination for young actors.”
For ticket information call Lourdes Carini at 650-362-2700.
Redwood City Police Activities League
Receives $500,000 Grant
T
he Redwood City Police Activities League (PAL) is thrilled to announce that it is received a
$500,000 grant from Stanford Hospital and Clinics. This very generous and much-appreciated
grant will greatly assist PAL with its facility costs, expansion of its teen programming,
installation of a sound studio for youth use, and provision of enhanced youth programs at the
PAL Community Center.
The presentation of this grant took place on Monday, Aug. 20, at 3 p.m. at the PAL
Community Center. PAL board members, law enforcement agents and community members
attended and joined in thanking Stanford Hospital and Clinics for this generous grant.
“Stanford Hospital and Clinics clearly recognizes the importance of being very engaged in the
communities they serve,” said Redwood City Vice Mayor Rosanne Foust. “They are a new and
important neighbor in the Redwood City community, and this generous grant really illustrates
their commitment to helping our youth become responsible adults and creative leaders within
our community.”
PAL is a nonprofit community-based organization providing intervention, prevention and
alternative programs to at-risk and economically challenged youth in Redwood City. PAL
regularly serves over 4,000 children and teens every year, thanks to the great volunteers who
give of their time and energy.
The Redwood City PAL Community Center is at 3399 Bay Road. More information about
Redwood City PAL is available at www.redwoodcitypal.com or by calling 650-556-1650.
Stanford Hospital and Clinics (www.stanfordhospital.com) is known worldwide for advanced
patient care provided by its physicians and staff, particularly for the treatment of rare, complex
disorders in areas such as cardiac care, cancer treatment, neurosciences, surgery and organ
transplants.
Stanford Hospital and Clinics has begun construction of state-of-the-art outpatient and
medical facilities in Redwood City, on Broadway south of Woodside Road. The facilities are
expected to begin serving patients in spring 2009.
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