Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to Play Basketball in Sports Music Video in Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Oct.) with GiGi’s Playhouse Ambassadors
at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School
Tampa, FL (October 19, 2021) – City of Tampa Mayor and former University of Tampa All-State basketball player Jane Castor will showcase her inviting, diverse city and basketball skills in the inclusive “It’s Game Time” sports music video being filmed in Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Oct.), in Tampa.
Longtime best friends and GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa participants, Sam Piazza, Nick Altieri, and David Scott who were born with Down syndrome are the sports Superstars being highlighted in the production. The men will be filmed in a festive basketball scene with the Mayor at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School where the school’s student body will be cast as raving fans, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Michael Clayton is set to be the courtside announcer on October 21st.
Piazza, Altieri, and Scott attended Gaither High School together, are members of the GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa “Participant Outreach Committee” and part of the local workforce. Piazza is a Team Member at PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality), Altieri works for Public Defender Julianne M. Holt and Clean Juice; and Scott is employed by Publix Supermarket.
“We are pleased to be involved with this inspirational project that showcases the talents of our participants, while bringing awareness to GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome achievement center that provides free services to the community,” says Michael Sullivan, Board Chair, GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa.
Tampa Filmmaker Renee Warmack who is producing the music video got to know the three men when she made the Tampa-based, documentary film “Because of Sam” (BecauseofSamTheMovie.com) that chronicles Piazza’s inspirational life story. The film transforms how the world views people with disabilities. A portion of “It’s Game Time” first appeared in the “Because of Sam” end credits, and movie trailer (at the 3-minute mark). Renee Warmack Productions, LLC, the song’s Publisher, aims to officially release the song and music video this Fall.
The production that’s sponsored in part by Visit Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will highlight inclusion in sports, the diverse, scenic “ChampaBay” community, and the inspirational “Because of Sam” message of inclusion, empathy, and love.
“Sam, Nick, and David are accomplished athletes and outstanding ambassadors of our great city. They are more than worthy to be the Superstars of this production at such a special time where the Tampa Bay (ChampaBay) area is peaking as a sports powerhouse,” says Warmack.
Additionally, Tampa’s GiGi’s Playhouse will host Warmack’s filming of an inclusive dance scene with GiGi’s Playhouse participants and the song’s singer-songwriter Tommy Cicero on October 22nd.
Project Details
Music Video Song: “It’s Game Time” a portion of the song appeared in “Because of Sam”
Filming Dates: Thursday, Oct. 21st; and Friday, Oct. 22nd, 2021
Location: Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School (21st); and GiGi’s Playhouse – Tampa (22nd)
Production Timeline:
Filming: Throughout Oct. Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Official Music Video Release: Fall 2021
Thank you to the following:
“Supporter” Level Sponsor – Visit Tampa Bay | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
In-kind Sponsors: Overnight accommodations are provided by Epicurean Hotel, Tampa’s only Four-Diamond, food-focused hotel. Ice Shaker Gronk Signature Edition sports bottles for music video props and keepsakes for Piazza, Altieri, and Scott.
Location Hosts: Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School and GiGi’s Playhouse – Tampa
About GiGi’s Playhouse – GiGi’s Playhouse is a network of non-profit Down Syndrome Achievement Centers with the mission to change the way the world views Down syndrome through community campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families. GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa makes a lifetime commitment to support and empower families from prenatal diagnosis, birth, and through to adulthood by offering no-cost therapeutic, educational, and career development programs. Founded by a mother in Illinois in 2002, GiGi’s Playhouse has grown to more than 50 Playhouses in the U.S. and Mexico with plans to open another 10 in the next year. Tampa is the 3rd Florida location. Learn more at: GiGi’s Playhouse – Tampa
About Renee Warmack Productions, LLC – Tampa native and USF alumna, Renee Warmack produces inspirational movies and engaging events; and helps others achieve their goals with her motivational coaching program Power Hack® Playbook. Learn more at: ReneeWarmackProductions.com
Media Contact
Renee Warmack, ReneeWarmackProductions@yahoo.com; 813-610-3132; for information on the inclusive “It’s Game Time” music video go to: “It’s Game Time” Music Video
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