Following frustration with recent Senior Variety Shows, senior class moderators Larry Hensley and Anne Baker are entertaining new ideas and suggestions for the show.

“Baker and I have to juggle the fine balance of pleasing the student body, seniors, parents, faculty, and admin,” Hensley said.

While Baker was “disappointed in their [class of ‘11] behavior,” the idea for changes did not come about as a result of this year’s Variety Show. Rather, it was “a culmination of years,” according to Hensley.

Baker and Hensley both cite personal attacks in the show as a cause for concern. It became a “forum to make fun of their [graduates’ and students’] darkest, most embarrassing moments,” Baker said.

While scripts of the show are reviewed by the administration, it is hard to weed out personal references, according to Baker. However, a large amount of material is cut from the show. Also, “things came in last minute,” and the approval of skits became a “he said, she said,” according to Baker. “Who knows what gets on stage,” Baker said.

The Variety Show “can also be impactful on the audience,” said Baker. The show’s negative effect may affect enrollment. She cited an adult leaving the show with middle school-aged children telling her daughter you “have two choices, NPD or IND.”

“We want to take the direction into a positive light,” said Baker. Hensley and Baker have developed multiple changes for the show that could take effect next year.

In order to “make it classier,” Hensley wants to change the title to “The JC Talent Show.” Also, structured auditions would take place. “Yes, you can still have skits, but they’ll be more solidified,” Hensley said.

Also, a dinner show component could be added to the show, which would “bump up ticket prices,” according to Hensley. An art exhibit may also be worked into the show to “raise the bar.” Hensley also discussed having the show follow “an Idol format,” where panel judges would award talented acts with trophies.

In order to attract more talent, Hensley and Baker hope to “open it up to the entire community, allowing all grade levels and faculty to perform in the show.” It would still be a main senior fundraiser. Although according to Hensley, Principal Paul Barker “wasn’t keen on that” when the idea was presented to him in a recent meeting about changes to the Variety Show.

“It’s all what you do and how you do it,” Barker said. It’s “time to have a conversation with students about how it can be better,” he said.

“That kind of defeats the purpose of a Variety Show. I thought it was a senior thing,” freshman Zach Hammons said.

“I don’t like that very much. I think that the Variety Show is a tradition that shouldn’t be messed with,” junior Colleen Zulty said.

Finally, a rule would be set in place that would make individual attacks on students and graduates off-limits. Currently, if a skit involves a teacher, seniors must get that teacher to approve the script. There’s a “check and balance on the faculty side,” but none on the student side, Hensley said.

However, these changes are “not set in stone,” according to Hensley. “It’s going to evolve,” he said.

A dry run of a more talent-oriented show sponsored by the senior class may take place this spring, Baker said. “Change is hard,” Hensley said. “But I can’t see it continuing this way.”

Collin Hoofnagle can be reached for comment at [email protected].