Sitting in the audience, waiting for the show to start, the audience is excited to see what would
come first, who would perform, and whether the show would be good. Then it began, the audience had a great time interacting with the actors during their improv games and listening to the music the students played. There were so many talented musicians, including Kaleb Keller, Kaelyn Lavery, Jack Roberts, Raegan McKee, Hannah Wheatley, and many more. The talented theater club also had many performers. The people included Maria Calabria, Alexis Currier, Taylor Currier, James Fox, Kaelyn Lavery, Natasha Magliozzi, Kacey Palmer, Andrew Tanuma, along with so many more. These individuals showed their talent in many ways, either through acting or by sharing their musical abilities.
The variety show at GHS Friday November 7th at 7 P.M., gives the audience a chance to interact with the GHS theater department, and also gives students in the GHS music department an opportunity to showcase their talents with multiple acts. The show allows kids to show off their talent whether it’s an instrumental performance or improv, which is acting without a script. Taylor Currier, a senior and Mr. D, a teacher in the music department, explained that the audience helps decide the direction of the show. Taylor Currier and Mr. Desrochers had two different perspectives on the variety show.
Taylor has been performing in ‘Theater since she was seven years old and has been singing even longer.’ She knew she wanted to be in the `GHS Theater department when she saw her first show at the high school, and she knew she would love the theater and music community. The variety show is a collaboration between Tri-M and the Theater club, its half Tri-M and half theater. Taylor said that there are 45 minutes of each ‘act’ – the first 45 minutes is music and the second 45 minutes is theater.
Mr. Desrochers from the music department and Victoria Alvarado from BYPC in Bedford. The teacher and staff at GHS who set the date and how long the Variety show. Along with Tri-M the theater department helps with the behind the scenes to make the show happen. The theater club is required to go and perform, and Tri-M makes the sign-up sheet for the people who do want to show their musical talents. Anyone in the department can sign up for the showcase. No audition is needed for the musical acts and any skill level or experience is accepted. The big NO’s for the show are no karaoke for the music and for the improv it has to stay PG-13.
One of the theater club groups performed. Taylor also said that there could be more than one person per scene. The largest group in this variety show was 12 or 13 people, along with musical performances that can be solo.
The audience suggests the prompts for the improv portion, even though they have ‘scripted’ games for improv, or if there are two people on stage to make up the scene to start. Taylor’s favorite performance(s) that night was the musical act “Dominic Laurendeau & Friends” for the improv was ‘freeze’ involving the whole theater club.
Taylor also said that the audience is good and engaged for the outcome. The difference between this variety show and the other variety shows is that this one is performed in the theater which is easier for the musicians because they can easily take out instruments from the stage and the theater club has to wait in a better place to perform. Taylor would like to see more vocal acts. Most of the musical acts are instrumental. Taylor emphasized she thinks it would be “cool to show more singing.” Also for the amount of shows in one year, she shared “last year there were only two, but this year they are trying to do one per quarter.” also said “at the very least two, trying for three and aiming for four.”
Mr. Desrochers is the artistic director for the performing arts department. Before becoming the artistic director, he was one of the creative directors in the performing arts department. Mr. D, a GHS alumnus, was active in the music department before returning to teach after college. He explained that he has become “more involved over the years”.
Mr. D The Variety Show “collaboration between theater and Tri-M.” This show gives students a way to perform. He said that he and Victoria do the ‘do-dates’ and the paperwork along with Mrs. McCann. Mr. D said that the show “really it’s Tri-M” that’s in charge of it all, and he also said “gives opportunity for Tri-M student leaders to give real world experiences.” He phrased it as “90% Tri-M and 10% me and Victoria.” In Tri-M the band’s reps are Kacey Palmer and Carly Gilman. For chorus there’s Taylor Currier and Kaelyn Lavery, then for orchestra there’s James Fox and James Sisco.
Mr. D also shared that there aren’t any obligations to perform if students are in Tri-M but there is an obligation to at least do something for the variety show either on stage or backstage.
Mr. D mentioned that the highlighted performances he enjoyed were Kaelyn Lavery’s performance of the song ‘summertime’ and ‘Dominic and Friends’ performance. Mr. D added “it was fun to see Dominic run his own group.” Mr. D suggested he “would like to see more musicians to step up to the plate” for the next variety show(s).
