Interested in having a school talent show? Never done it before? Not a problem. Hosting and producing a school talent show is one of the simplest productions a school can organize. Kids supply the talent. You supply the stage. Parents supply the audience. What’s the hardest part? Just getting started.
A school talent show can be as simple as just putting on a series of acts and keeping it moving, or, it can be a great fundraiser and fun way for the school to become more involved in its community. How can you begin? The first step is simply deciding you will put on a show. Finding the time within the school calendar is the most important step, as you will need plenty of time for the acts to prepare. Set aside the date and make sure all the teachers and students and parents know. These are the easy steps. Give plenty of lead time. Once the school has a date set and the first show is completed, it is likely the school will want one every year at the same time, so the show gets easier every year. Much easier.
The next step? Get the acts. Two months prior to show date place flyers around the school Tell the teachers to remind their classes. Once again, the first show is the hardest. After the routine is established each year the kids will be more and more prepared to perform and the time frames can be shortened.
Once the announcement is made. Sit back. Remind the kids weekly that the auditions are coming up and let them prepare. Then, one week prior to the audition date, post whats known as a “sign-up sheet.” One sheet in a specific location, perhaps the school office. It’s likely that you will have several acts immediately, so much in fact that perhaps having two days of auditions is possible. Each group has approximately three minutes to show their act. Have a few teachers be the “auditioners” and they decide which acts become the show. This is when the timing of the acts becomes crucial. If you consider each act to be no more than three minutes, you need to decide how long a show you would like, which means, how many acts you will accept. An hour show is a good time frame, an hour and a half is about the longest you can stand. Remember, some of the audience will be the kids themselves and unless the acts are amazing an hour and a half of bad acts can seem like an eternity.
Here is where it gets complicated. Let’s say you decide you want an hour and a half of entertainment. Technically speaking that’s thirty acts. But, consider that changing sets, nerves, technical errors add in and you might go long with thirty acts. However, take into consideration, some acts in a months time, will cancel. It is a matter of blind luck as to the magic number, but, for an hour and a half, 25- 30 acts is just about right. Assuming not all acts will actually last three minutes, but, try to make sure, if you decide to allow acts to last longer, you keep the running time of each act.
So, now you have the audition and decide on the best, or most prepared 30 acts. Keep in mind, they are not professionals and sometimes the “cute factor” is enough. So, you post the chosen acts. If you keep the phrase “winning acts” or “best” out of the announcements, the groups that aren’t chosen will have less of a feeling of failure. Some acts just won’t be chosen, but every act has feelings.
Now you have your acts. Let’s put on a show. You should have a month left before actual performance. This is more than enough time. Have the acts rehearse. Have them get some stage time after school. Give them time to really get ready. Let the community know. Flyers. Perhaps a story in the local press, and definitely keep the parents aware. One week prior to the show, it’s time for rehearsals.
A rehearsal is run exactly as you want the show to run. Have a teacher or community member with stage ability be your “emcee” or host. They are the ones that keep the audiences attention in between acts. The stronger a host you have the smoother the show appears. First rehearsal is a technical rehearsal. Each act requests what it needs for their act. Microphones, a cd player, a chair etc. Keep a running list of each requirement. This list is essential for your back stage help. They will be helping each act enter the stage in order. They will set the microphones for each etc. Each prop etc. You can simplify the process by making one member of the act be in charge of what they need. Once you have the acts and what they need, now you decide on the show.
How do you decide who goes first? There is a theory that you open “big.” It makes sense. Let the audience get ready for a great show. Put some of your stronger acts on stage first. Open the show with strength. So pick the order of the acts. You may have an entire program of lip synching and dancing. That can be a long night. Try to put into the mix as much change as you can. Have the ventriloquist be between the two dance acts. Have the solo singer between the two group routines. Mix it up as much as possible. Once you settle on the show line up. Rehearse. Three times is plenty, but the more you rehearse the smoother the show, however, everyone knows it’s a school talent show. Bring in the emcee for as many rehearsals as is possible. Have fun.
Opening night. You should be ready, Nerves will be high. Kids will feel sick. Be ready. Set up as many chairs in the audience as you can. Open the doors and let the audience in. Backstage the acts are in a waiting area, knowing the order they go on. A stage hand or two is keeping everyone in order and on good behavior. The emcee starts the show and it begins. One act at a time. Have fun. Mistakes will happen. Kids will make mistakes. It’s not Broadway, it’s talent. It’s a fun night for everyone.
