As audience members gathered in the auditorium, the theater department prepared to put on a wicked show for their annual Thespian Cabaret. This year’s showcase, held May 5, embraced a darker theme, transforming the stage into a celebration of villains, mischief and mayhem.
The Thespian Cabaret serves as the Theater department’s end of year showcase. Each year, the cabaret centers around a different theme, and this year’s was “Rotten to the Core: Villains Aren’t So Bad.” Throughout the night, students performed more than 30 musical numbers inspired by iconic antagonists and morally grey characters from theater, film and television.
“It’s something everyone looks forward to near the end of the year,” senior Ilyssa Reichhardt said. “We have more creative freedom with what we want to do, and it’s a day to have one final moment on stage, at least for seniors.”
Unlike the department’s larger productions, the cabaret allows performers to select songs and choreograph numbers that reflect their own personalities and interests. Some decided to perform group numbers, such as juniors Addie Roberts and Corrine Bennett, who performed “Cell Block Tango,” while others performed solo, with props such as cauldrons and a broom.
“It was a fun performance, I got to be creative with the song choice and some of the choreography,” Roberts said. “I’m excited to see what the theme will be in the future years.”
The preparation for the cabaret began shortly after the spring musical finished production. Once the villain theme was selected, students were able to select their song, rehearse vocals and begin choreographing. Because many were balancing rehearsals with end of year activities and exams, the process was hectic.
“Trying to do it alongside senior stuff, exams and AP prep and other things, it was stressful,” Reichhardt said, “but once you get to actually put it on stage, it’s worth it.”
For many seniors, the performance carried additional significance, marking their final appearance on the auditorium stage. Seniors received special recognition during the show, from both other underclassmen and the audience.
“It’s happy and it’s sad,” senior Noah McPherson said. “Theater slowly became such a big part of my high school experience, it’s emotional knowing this will be my last time I’ll perform with my troupe.”
As the cabaret came to an end, the cast gathered on stage to take a final bow. Though the performance celebrated villains and wicked characters, the evening highlighted the close-knit community within the theater program.
“Events like this allow us to do what theater’s all about,” Roberts said. “Teamwork, community, it’s why people join theater and why they stay in it.”
