The annual Lockport Township High School variety show hit the stage at East Campus on Feb. 7 and Thursday, Feb. 9, featuring more than 30 acts.
The event intends to serves as a fundraiser for the theatre department, but is also a way for students to have an outlet for their creativity.
“There’s not many opportunities for the students who sing or kind of have unique talents to display them,” said Kristen Donnelly, assistant choir director and assistant theatre director at LTHS. “We have a student playing bagpipes, we have like a hula hoop routine.”
Students performed individually or in groups to a crowd filled with parents and classmates as part of the two-day affair.
Spectators settled in to get seats for the latter show as they curtains were drawn and the show started with a live performance by the LTHS jazz band.
From the classic tunes of Elvis Presley to the popular sounds of Destiny’s Child, the variety show pulled out all the stops to entertain this year.
The event even served as a space for students to showcase original compositions. LTHS student Brian Stapelton performed a live rendition of “Superego.”
LTHS senior Melina Pluta said she was looking forward to getting involved in this year’s production.
“I feel like they let everyone in who auditioned, so it’s really nice that everyone gets to participate,” she said.
This year was Pluta’s second time participating in the variety show, and she said her favorite part was “definitely the bagpipes”.
“I loved it,” she said. “They’re so good.”
Pluta performed an original song called “Hurricane” as part of this year’s show.
“I think a lot of people have passions that they’re passionate about,” she said. “It’s nice that they get to show everyone their talents.”
LTHS senior John York was watching the variety show with a group of his friends.
“It was like fun because we had a lot of our friends here,” he said. “It was a fun environment.”
York is involved in the music department at LTHS through the symphonic band and wind symphony. Apart from performing in the variety show, his favorite part was seeing his classmates perform, he said.
“I really liked Melina’s original song,” he said.
Audiences enjoyed singing, dancing, skits, and instrumental performances covering a breadth of what the Lockport Township high school theatre department and drama club aim to offer.
“The students are really supportive of their friends or the groups that go,” Donnelly said. “It’s really a safe place, I think, for kids to come to sing, and [performing is] something that’s already kind of scary to do. Performing is scary. The audience is always really receptive and supportive.”
Typically, the show brings in 200 spectators each night.
“We’re hoping to perhaps move it to a different time of year in the future,” she said. “For now, we’re happy with the turnout… We’re hoping maybe in the future to put it more towards homecoming or something where people are going to events.”
On average, the fundraiser brings in roughly $1,300, and the money raised will help fund a number of theatre department needs, including rental fees for scripts and costumes.
Part of Thursday night’s proceeds went toward Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For more information, visit to broadwaycares.org