Dear Editor,
JC’s class of 2010 is talented. They have musicians, artists, singers, song-writers, dancers, and comedians who put together an admittedly entertaining Variety Show for my class (2009) to witness. But what made that Variety Show truly special, compared to those of recent years, was the respect between audience and performers.
I will never forget the atmosphere that surrounded my own class’ Wednesday performance. Sammy von Paris was booed off the stage, cutting a skit short because the class of 2008 would not let him finish a single line. I spent intermission consoling friends who were terrified to step onstage for their Senior Girls’ dance. The audience was not there to support ‘09; the alumni were back to heckle those on stage. They became the show. Police back-up was called in, and maybe a dozen people were escorted out. Even with certain offenders gone, the damage was done. My class was humiliated.
The administration called for an impromptu Senior meeting the Monday after Thanksgiving to offer an apology for ‘08’s behavior. We were also given the opportunity to voice our opinions. Senior class president Keith Sneddon commented that we could not change the past, only choose not to repeat it. “We WILL NOT be like them when we come back next year,” he emphasized. That morning played on repeat in my mind as I watched 2010’s show. I held my breath after every skit, praying that each of us was remembering the same thing and hoping that we would set a precedent for future classes to follow.
This year, as I watched my brother’s class perform onstage, I had flashbacks to my senior year as I witnessed a giant step backwards from the progress made the year before. As Joe Frank played guitar, I cringed as the audience began whispering. Like wildfire, the noise spread until just about everyone I could see was talking, texting, or getting up. The attempt at thunderous applause following his performance – and others – did not make up for rude behavior during the acts.
For a group with so much potential, 2010 showed a complete lack of class in their big return – supposedly their chance to show that they matured during their time away. Growing facial hair, getting your nose pierced, and stepping out of – or into – uniform does not equate to maturity. How you behave in public says more than appearance ever will.
The average JC class contains about 200 students. The average musical, with a reputation for greatness that is surpassed each year, contains more than 100 students. The odds of getting half the senior class involved in Variety Show are slim at best. It will never meet the standard set by the musicals because there are not enough people willing to devote the necessary time. That said, I have some suggestions to improve Variety Show into what it was meant to be: a fundraiser for Prom that highlights the talents of the senior class.
For the seniors putting on the show: Leave individuals out of the line of fire. Poking fun at certain people puts them on the defensive, causes their classmates to rally around them, negatively stirs up the audience, and creates unnecessary tension.
Get people involved. Seek out individuals or groups within your class who are especially funny, creative, or artistic. If they do not want to perform, they can write skits, control lighting and sound, or make props and costumes. Twenty people cannot do everything. Recruit the talent at your disposal. The Variety Show is a class fundraiser. Make it a class effort.
For the returning alumni: Keep in mind the amount of effort your class exerted. Moderators made your class make changes. Hold onto those recent memories. Show some empathy.
Recall how much sleep you lost juggling homework and rehearsals. Remember how much pressure you felt performing, especially for your peers. Remember that technical difficulties happen. Be patient, be understanding, and be nice!
Be respectful. Do not whisper – loudly – to your friends that this show sucks and you want to go home or be anywhere but here. Not only is it extremely rude, but it also disturbs the people around you who want to watch their loved ones perform. Do not get up and leave during the show. At least wait until intermission. You can live through an hour of anything on stage. Boredom will not kill you.
Turn off your cell phones! Pretend you’re in a movie theater. No need to text people where to meet you at intermission. The school is not huge. You will find them, I promise. Even the signals sent from your phone searching for service can interfere with microphones, which is why Mrs. B makes everyone turn them off during play performances.
To the juniors: Pay close attention to what the class before you does. Start thinking of skits now that do not duplicate this year’s. Start planning. Be prepared to change things at the last minute. Be prepared to work your butt off, be under-appreciated, and have the time of your life doing it. Variety Show is a bonding experience for your class. Treat it as a showcase of your variety of talents, not as a forum for inappropriate humor that polarizes the audience.
JC can take this show to a new level. I would personally love to see a day where we do not need police presence and faculty members stationed like guards. The fact that this is what a Catholic school whose motto is “Compelling, Considerate, Uncompromising,” has had to resort to is downright embarrassing.
2011, be the example for future classes. There is the temptation to do to 2012 what 2010 did to you, but there is also the goal to do better. Make JC proud. Make yourselves proud.
Sincerely,
Natalie Shaw
JC Class of 2009