Origins of the O Show

The lights shine on stage. Students sit near the curtain, waiting for their turn. One girl’s hands feel shaky, and her heart is beating fast. She is about to sing “Digital Hallutionation” with a friend in the O Show, and she feels nervous. This feeling is called stage fright.

“I’m going to be performing in front of so many people, basically the whole school,” Juliana Palladino, a fifth-grader, said. “I have never done the O Show before, and I feel like I am ready because I want to overcome my fear of stage fright.”

Some students at Patrick M. Villano feel this way before performing. The O Show gives them a chance to share their talents in front of their classmates. It started many years ago when Barnet “Buzz” Ostrowsky, a former principal of the school, brought students together in the gym each morning.

“It was always great to see the students perform. Some were nervous and tentative. Others seemed confident and experienced.  It was always great to see how students’ talents grew over the years of performing,” Ostrowsky said.

When Ostrowsky came to Emerson in 2001, he moved outside morning lineup inside to the gym on rainy days. One day, two fifth-grade girls approached Ostrowsky and asked if they could play the piano for everyone as practice for a recital they had that afternoon. Ostrowsky agreed, and the O Show was born.

“I think it was great to seen everyone gain confidence and perform and we always emphasized great audience behavior as well.  Treat everyone as you want to be treated was the theme, and it seemed to work,” Ostrowsky said.

Students began performing during the morning program. They could sing, play music, or share other talents. Students signed up ahead of time and told Ostrowsky what they planned to do. Peers sat by grade level, and began with the Pledge of Allegience, then sang “Happy Birthday” to students who came forward. Ostrowsky said he used to do something similair at his previous position as principal of Upper Nyack Elementary School in Nyack, New York.

“Our students there came in to the auditorium each morning for what was called ‘Morning Program’,” Ostrowsky explained. “I was the emcee and our music teacher provided music and activities. We always sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to students, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and sang a patriotic song. Then, we had a variety of activities and made announcements. The teachers then came to the door and picked up their classes.”

In Emerson, one performance stood out to him. A third-grade student who was blind asked if he could play the piano.

“He came to morning program and his father brought in his electric piano. He began to play and was incredible. I extended the program for a half hour as he played. His name is Mathew Whitaker, and he is traveling the world winning awards for his jazz and I am always proud to say I heard him here at Villano when he was so young.”

Ostrowsky credited current school principal, Jessica Espinoza, with keeping his name in the show title.

“I hope that the spirit of the program continues for many years, but when there is a change in the Principal of the school, hopefully not for many years, I would imagine there would be a change in the name of the program but not in the content or objectives of the program,” Ostrowsky said.

Upper Nyack School has had many new principals since Ostrowsky left, but it has not continued the morning program.

“I have met former students who are now parents of children there and they say they truly miss the morning program and the experiences they had. Kudos to Mrs. Espinosa for the continuation of a program designed to bring good experiences to the students of Villano School,” Ostrowsky shared.

Meantime, the music ended, applause roaded, and Palladino smiled. 

“I think I might do the O. Show again …” she said.