The "Class Acts" variety show, scheduled for March 8, has been Brockport High's annual in-school entertainment sensation since its beginning 17 years ago. The general public can't get into the one-night show because the coveted tickets go only to school students and staff. Still, behind the scenes, students and faculty deserve the spotlight for the work it takes to prepare the very popular show. The first "Class Acts" was in the spring of 1987, the brain child of art teacher Paula Crawford. It was a fundraiser for the school's art club. After a dismal attempt to sell beach towels for the cause, Crawford, who had organized a talent show for Pittsford's Colonial Days, had a better idea. "Let's do something that promotes the community, the students and the school," she recalls proposing to Pat Groves, her colleague in the art department. "We can raise funds while providing a service." The two teachers and Mike Myers, dean of students, have nurtured the event since then. Art teacher Yvonne Romero is assisting this year also. The first show was a smash hit. After selling 150 one-dollar tickets before the show, 600 people showed up for the event. In the second year, with tickets up to $3, over 200 people still had to be turned away at the door. In those first two years the show was primarily class skits. With little adult direction, "the skits mostly were not in control," Myers said about a few minor bad-taste incidents. "They needed adult direction to pull it together," Groves said about the show. She, Crawford, and Myers soon set high standards in performance, staging, and technology. There aim was to get beyond a stand-up talent show to a variety of acts and presentation similar to a Broadway review. For those auditioning, high expectations are set forth in a sheet headed "Audition" with two columns of "Do's" and "Don'ts." The do's cover details like planning ahead, being prepared (well-rehearsed, equipment ready), being dependable, and remembering who your audience is. About the latter, "Do remember that we pride ourselves in making certain that there is a lot of 'class' in Class Acts." The don'ts include: "Don't do anything that is considered gross, disgusting, crude, demeaning or inappropriate for a general school audience." Students respect the ground rules and show high motivation to get into the show. The faculty directors maintain an attitude of respect and encouragement toward the students in a rigorous process from auditions to show time. Students may present more than one act in the audition, as a solo or in a group. Groves and Crawford sometimes offer suggestions in auditions, giving the students a chance to readjust and come back to a later audition. With a record turnout this year, 60 acts auditioned and only 29 were accepted. About 100 students received a letter indicating whether they made it or not. "I feel awful," said Groves who "agonized" over simply sending letters to those who did not get in. With a lower turn out last year, she was able to notify these students in person, and offer immediate support. She continues to make herself available to the non-selected students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, who will get helpful hints for possible success next year. Students accepted into the show must sign a "Class Acts Contract" which affirms all the standards for performance and personal behavior that were spelled out at auditions. Character seems as important as talent, in a dynamic process where students show maturity and responsibility as the directors provide coaching for their best performance in front of a full house of 700. In three technical rehearsals, and a dress rehearsal, all aspects of staging, sound, and lighting are worked out as well as the performers' dress, timing, and artistic refinements. Performers may have to do their act over several times for fine tuning. "It is good that they make you have such a commitment and have to show up at practices. It's not too much to ask," said BHS junior Amanda Broadway. "I felt well prepared." Broadway made the show last year and this year. She will sing "Complicated," by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. "They do a good job, giving you a lot of constructive criticism in practice so everything is up for the show," Broadway said of the directors. "Last year I had to work on my stage presence." The 29 acts will have 58 students performing as vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers and bands. Forty students will work as stage crew, technical crew and ushers. Several faculty also provide comedy in the show. A panel of nine judges from the community, including faculty from SUNY College at Brockport, makes it "a lot more fun and exposes our kids to the community," said Groves. The grand production has had a high demand for tickets within the school every year. All tickets are $8 which covers the costs and provides some funds for scholarships and student government projects. Ticket allotments are four to performers and two each to supporting workers and to all faculty. After this distribution, all remaining tickets will be sold to the rest of the student body. "The show is sold out every year," Broadway said. "It is definitely something the kids in school get excited about, as well as their parents and friends in the community." Groves finds great satisfaction with the quality of the students and of the show each year. "Every year I think, 'It's so much work,' but then I get teary thinking about it," she said. "Some of the performances have just blown me away." Amanda Broadway shows the maturity, self-confidence and "class" the directors hope for. When asked, "Are you ready?" the soft-spoken junior said, "I think I know the song real well. If I just go up there and be myself and enjoy myself, not trying to force anything, I think I will do fine." |
