On April 9, the annual West Wing Talent Show returned to PA. For the third year in a row, students from this on-site campus worked many hours to feature songs, dances, and instrumentalists in a showcase. Volunteers from the theater department and other PA students accompanied the West Wing participants in preparing for this venture for over a month beforehand. This year, there were 45 students showcasing their acts.
Josephine Burke, a special education teacher at PA is in her second year of teaching and her first year of hosting the talent show. She teaches all grades and subjects to her students in the West Wing. “All the kids look forward to it and they work so hard practicing for it, so it’s nice to see it all come together,” said Burke.
As a coordinator, she first figures out which students are participating and the number of acts that must be organized, including whether the acts will be performed in a group or as a solo. Acts include singing, dancing, and instrument playing; even an act including basketball was featured last year.
Next, Burke sends information to the teachers regarding what has been decided about the lineup. Then, she gets in contact and collaborates with the theater teachers and students for volunteers to receive their help with production. The PA theater teacher, Julieta Grey, takes her performance class to help assist with the show. With their help, a script is made. Additionally, Burke says that some theater students or volunteers work the sound, music, and lights so that the show can be put together. They also designed the pamphlet and the shirt for West Wing students. This year, the volunteer opportunity was opened up to other students who had a 4A study block and wanted to help.
When the planning aspect was finished, practices started, including the participants themselves and the theater class. These practices are done in the auditorium, where they run through the show to make sure that everything goes smoothly ahead of the final performance.
Burke explained that the students who participated “absolutely love the talent show,” showing interest starting from the beginning of the year.
Lee Islam, a performance student and former volunteer, is the manager of the performance class of the show. Islam explained their role for the talent show was to help with the collaboration of the performances and the students executing them. They also helped with dances, blocking, and the technology needed for the performance. The volunteers brought props, lights, and sets, and the ideas and effort needed to pull something off as big as this.
Volunteers used to be difficult to come by, according to Islam, but because this year they were receiving help from VTFT and other volunteers who signed up, there were more people willing to join and help. These volunteers mostly helped during the fourth block on A days when they had the opportunity to do so. “It can be a little rough when people are not here but that is inevitable, as long as their time is being used wisely and efficiently, it can be a breeze,” said Islam.
From the experience, Islam learned that giving everyone a voice can be beneficial to their confidence. “I love meeting new people, seeing their talents, hearing their stories, and even making new friends along the way.”
