The 8th grade musical is a tradition we have enjoyed at NDV for 40 years! This incredible tradition has provided the 8th grade students with the opportunity to discover new talents, to be role models in our community, and to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all who attend their productions. Every year, the hard work and dedication our 8th grade students put into producing their musical helps to instill in them a growth mindset and solidifies the lifelong bonds of friendship they create with one another during their time at NDV.

I am so proud of the persistence and hard work the Class of 2022, their families, and our director, Daren Carollo, have exhibited this year as they have worked to prepare and present NDV's 40th annual musical. At NDV, we are life-long learners who embrace challenges as opportunities. The Class of 2022 has exemplified this in many ways as they came together to bring the musical back to a live stage after two years of virtual musicals during the pandemic.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this incredible musical possible. Daren, your enthusiasm, vision, and hard work has inspired and allowed our 8th grade musical tradition to return to the main stage! Kim and Stephanie, thank you for serving as our play liaisons this year. Your organization, care, and love for our children was felt by all throughout this entire process. Parents, your example of what it means to come together to support your children and the production of this musical will have a lasting impact on the NDV community. Your hard work has made this musical so special, especially for our Class of 2022.

Thank you, Class of 2022! You have worked so very hard to create a magical musical. In doing this, you continue to embody our SLEs in many ways and to serve as role models for all NDV students.

Families and friends, please join me as we sit back and enjoy this year's 40th musical production of Beauty and the Beast.

God Bless,
Mrs. Sarah Currier

Welcome to our Sandbox. We hope you can escape your stressful lives for 90 minutes while you enjoy this production of Beauty and the Beast.

I don't like Director's notes that tell you about the piece. I want it to speak for itself. What is the message of Beauty and the Beast? You tell me. I would love to hear from you after the show.

The thirty-three NDV eighth grade students taught me patience. They taught me that my directing shorthand only works with professionals. They taught me words and abbreviations that made me smile and think back to 8th grade "Daren". They made me laugh. They made my hair grey. I admire their energy and their compassion for each other and I wish them success in High School and life.

I would like to thank Principal Currier, Marcus, Nicole, Jilliyn, Erica, Mike, Kyra, Terhi, Tatjana, Michael and Mama Sellers for all of their hard work to make this production happen. A massive shout out to our Producers, Kimberly and Stephanie. They have been working tirelessly for over 7 months to ensure our success. These parents (and many more behind the scenes) inspire me. My son will have a better Dad thanks to all of these awesome humans.

We appreciate your support. Now, lean forward, engage, and enjoy!

Daren

Daren Carollo, an award-winning director and producer with over 175 credits, is a leader in the San Francisco Bay Area arts scene for two decades previously serving as the Producing Artistic Director of Berkeley Playhouse, Executive Director of Broadway By the Bay, and Artistic Director for Diablo Theatre Company. He is the Producing Artistic Director for San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon.

His production company, Carollo & Palumbo, productions has produced the musical Bare Off-Broadway and A Time to Kill on Broadway. Favorite directing projects include Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll & Hyde, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dracula, Peter Pan, Miss Saigon, and To Kill A Mockingbird. Daren has directed for Diablo Theatre Company, Pacific Coast Repertory, Napa Valley Opera, and Contra Costa Civic Theatre. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and Bay Area’s Theatre Services Committee. Daren is most proud of his greatest accomplishment: his son, Jack.