Variety Show Begins Production with Preparation for Auditions
Parkway North offers different possibilities for students to express their strengths and talents. For students who may have special skills that they wish to show off, the opportunity has arrived to audition for the variety show on Wed., Oct. 12, and Thurs., Oct. 13 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The variety show, which has no distinct theme this year in order to “open up more opportunities and to not have such a limit” as director and theater teacher Chad Little explained, will take place Thurs., Nov. 17 and Fri., Nov. 18.
The last variety show, which was two years ago, had a specific theme and featured dancers, singers, dialogues, and more. The last variety show’s theme, which was relationships, allowed students to express their emotions through various different acts, and had a distinct connection with the feelings and efforts that came along with love.
“[Last time], I sang Officially Missing You by Tamia. My mom thought it would be a good song for me because [Tamia] has a soft voice and so did I at the time. I was so nervous because I was a freshman and I didn’t want people to think of me badly for the rest of the year if I messed up,” said junior RhonniRose Mantilla.
Mantilla, who has turned to the Center of Creative Arts to pursue a career of singing and dancing, has devoted much of her time after schoolto pursue her dreams, and because of that, will not be auditioning for this years variety show.
“I’m not planning on auditioning because I’m too busy with my after school activities. I go every day except for Thursday and Friday to COCA…The earliest [practices start] is 4:15, and the latest [time it goes until] is 9:15,” Mantilla said.
Some students who hadn’t been in the variety show in the past are planning to audition, such as junior Leah Dolgin. Dolgin is planning to sing a song from Wicked with junior Maddie James, who sang a duet with junior Cassandra Gant at the last variety show.
“We don’t know what we’re singing for sure yet. It will be from Wicked because it shows off our voices well, and we use acting in it through the emotions of the story,” Dolgin said.
Dolgin did not audition for the last variety show because of the lack of time from preparing an act to the date of the auditions.
“I’d been thinking about doing it freshman year but didn’t have enough time to prepare. Maddie did it freshman year, and it sounded fun because everyone was so good. She told me about the rehearsals and that they were fun,” Dolgin also said.
The rehearsals are mended to fit the schedules of the students in the show and consist of meeting with Little or choir teacher Brian Reeves once or twice a week. Attending rehearsals are crucial during production time, as they allow the directors to know if those in the show are progressing in their performance.
Students wishing to audition must sign up for an audition time on the theater call board in the fine arts hallway. Auditonees should be prepared and confident with their act, and should have all of their materials put together by the time of auditions. Acts ranging from singing, acting, musical theatre, and even juggling are all welcomed.
by Kyle Wolfe, Writing Wizard