This is exactly what Willow Glen middle and high school parents Linda Eaman and Rick Guptill did when they developed the music boosters organization.

A year old this month, Thursdays at the Theater, a variety of shows, allows the boosters to raise funds for the schools' musical programs.

Working in conjunction with the Willow Glen Middle and High School Foundation, the music boosters strive to provide the financial and volunteer support needed to help assure the schools have a substantial, sustainable music program that students can carry with them throughout their lives.

"We are raising money to pay for things like choir costumes and instruments," Eaman says. "Because of a lack of funding, these are items that kids would otherwise do without. We raised $5,000 last year and really want to grow this amount this year."

While last season's shows were all held on Thursday evenings, the 2005 series incorporates some Friday evenings as well.

"Last year we learned that Thursday nights are hard nights for families," Eaman says. "The show times are early enough for kids to get home and get to bed, but with homework and class projects due the next day, it was hard for families to get out. This year our shows are on Fridays and select Thursdays when San Jose Unified doesn't have school the next day."

The 2005 series kicks off on Sept. 30 with Clean Comedy, featuring local comics of all ages. Headlining the performance is 11-year-old Sarah Kay. Since first performing locally in November 2004, Sarah has been packing comedy venues. She brings a new perspective to stand-up comedy--through the eyes of a child. Other comedians are Dan Edwards, who provides a light look at marriage and middle age; Norm Goldblatt, a former high school science teacher who now performs at major comedy clubs in the Bay Area; Maggie Mewcomb, whose positive approach to life appeals to audiences of all ages; Charley Guptill, a student at Willow Glen Middle School; and Jeff Anaya, a sophomore at Saratoga High School who recently completed a workshop in stand-up comedy at San Francisco Comedy College.

"The show features kids and adults so the humor is appropriate for all ages," Eaman says.

The season continues on Oct. 20 with Wendy Budd the Science Studd. A favorite science teacher at Willow Glen Middle School, Budd uses entertaining demonstrations to blow the roof off the traditional view of science.

Krakaw says Thursday and Fridays at the Theater is about more than raising money to support the music program. Eaman and Guptill hope to promote a sense of community.

"We wanted to bring quality family-oriented entertainment to Willow Glen and encourage everyone to come out regardless of whether they have kids at the school," Eaman says. "Last year my kids came to all the shows and ended up having a great time. There's lots of talent out there. We feature professional entertainers as well as professional-caliber community groups and accomplished amateurs. At $7for adults, $6for kids and $25 for a family, the price is right and it's a great way people to share an evening of entertainment with their friends and neighbors."

'Thursday and Fridays at the Theater' performances take place at the Willow Glen Little Theater, 2105 Cottle Ave., located on the middle school campus at the corner of Malone Road and Cottle Avenue. For more information call 408.445.9628 or to view the 2005-06 season visit www.thursdaysatthetheater.org.