The Variety Show is an annual event where students can showcase their diverse talents, which may include singing, dancing or playing an instrument. On the day of the event, students get to leave class early and watch their classmates perform.
For the past eight years, English Teacher Anthony Kinney has been in charge of the Variety Show. He was passed the torch after the Speech Team coach, Jessica Kranz, wanted to drop the Variety Show.
“Several years ago, the Speech Team used to do it, and I took over when I started doing the theater stuff and the drama stuff,” Kinney said. “We were looking for a fundraiser, so we were looking around. Mrs. Kranz was kinda ready to get out of doing it, and I was looking for something to do. So, she was gracious enough to let us take that over. So, we’ve been doing that for several years.”
Kinney thinks this year’s variety show will go well, since there are about twenty-eight to thirty people who are participating in the Variety Show.
“We got, for the first time we ever had, about an equal amount of dance acts and singing acts, so we are able to flip-flop those,” Kinney said. “So, we open up with the dance team this year, and then we go right into a song. We are able to go song and dance, song and dance, able to keep the tempo of the show going pretty well.”
One of the performers is junior Markitta Bault, who sang “Rainy Days” this year.
“I participated in the Variety Show for the experience of getting to see the many different talents people have,” Bault said.
Another performer is sophomore Aubreigh Turnpaugh, who danced to “Closer,” “Plot Twist,” “Jellyous” and with the dance team, “Survivor.”
“I originally had to perform due to me being on the dance team, so I then decided I wanted to do more dances,” Turnpaugh said.
Freshman Faith Gordon talked about her first time attending the Variety Show.
“It was amazing,” Gordon said. “I never thought it would be so long and bright. It was just amazing, and I’ve seen some talent shows before, but never seen so many people there, and it was just exciting.”
Performing in front of others is difficult because anyone can make a few mistakes while performing.
“I think I did well,” Bault said. “Especially with my song choice for my voice. I chose a song that was more in my range.”
Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to performing twice on Oct. 8 and 9.
“I personally think I did better than what I thought I would,” Turnpaugh said. “I for sure did better than the parent night.”
The Variety Show is a way to show off student talents, but also an event to feel the support from their classmates.
“My favorite part of performing in the show is knowing that my friends were there to cheer me on,” Bault said.
Performing on stage can feel nerve-wracking, an emotion that was commonly shared throughout the cast.
“My favorite part was the feeling of being on stage,” Turnpaugh said. “I was nervous at first, but then once I started performing, it felt amazing.”
Gordon loved the performance itself, but there was a part that captivated her interest.
“My favorite part was mostly the dancing, but when the people in the inflatable suits were just dancing along, with the crystal ball and the lights, it was just remarkable,” Gordon said.
Though performing on stage is not what it seems to be.
“My least favorite part of performing in the show is how I don’t know what to do on stage,” Bault said. “It’s also hard not to smile during my song.”
Performing can allow self-doubts to get the best of performers.
“My least favorite part was the constant worrying I was going to mess up or everyone would laugh,” Turnpaugh said.
The Variety Show was an incredible experience for Gordon, though she believes there could be some improvements.
“My least favorite part was the singing because I think that it could have used a bit more rehearsing,” Gordon said. “Overall, though, the performances were great.”
